July 4, 1878, Saturday Evening Press
With the nation's centennial just two years before, patriotic fervor was still rampant in Menasha. I mean,. just look at this elaborate program to celebrate Independence Day.
Parenthetical note about the entertainment: Planner's Turner's Band was a then-popular musical troupe for both public and private gatherings, headed by businessman John Planner who had began his Menasha business career in 1859, when Menasha was still in its infancy . At one point he was elected town treasurer and also served as an alderman and headed the board of education. In 1884 Planner gained wide attention for the construction of the building which housed his Dry Goods Emporium at 212 Main Street. That handsome building still stands today.
National Salute at sunrise? Wow! According to timeanddate.com, sunrise in Menasha on July 4, 1878, was at 4:24 AM (remember, no Daylight Saving Time in 1878!).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.timeanddate.com/sun/@z-us-54952?month=7&year=1878