A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Friday, June 14, 2024
Popular Summer School
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Easy and Breezy
June 9, 1980, Twin City News-Record
In spite of the looks of concentration, you just know these kids were having the time of their lives at the picnic. Hopefully, we'll see more looks of joy during the Sesquiecentennial weekend, June 21-22 in downtown Menasha.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
New Pumper
June 30, 1980, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
The department was proud this day in 1980 after taking possession of the newest item in the fleet. A big difference from say, 88 years earlier, when the city displayed its "latest and greatest" in fire fighting technology.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Back in Time
June 21, 2000, Twin City News-Record
Animal hijinks and a very small basketball contingent highlight this version of "Back in Time." One would surmise that most of our citizens didn't encounter an organ grinder and a monkey every day in the Fox Cities. So it had to have been a sensation, at least for awhile, until said monkey caused quite the commotion in Neenah. Oh, to have seen photographic evidence of the incident, but then, it was another time, a time before cameras were de rigeur for newspapers.
Monday, June 10, 2024
Theft Ring
June 14, 1937, Menasha Record
Despite the criminal nature of what they were doing, I still have to hand it to them for their ingenuity to disguise the merchandise by altering the paint scheme. Let's hope their imagination and inventiveness came to fruition in more civic ways in their futures.
Friday, June 7, 2024
The Flambeau
June 23, 1937, Menasha Record
A golden age of train travel is illustrated by the above ad. Every railroad in the country had trains with fanciful names that everyone knew- names linked to geography or the train's capabilities. Some of the more famous ones included the New York Limited, the Orange Blossom Special, and the California Zephyr, namesake of St. Mary's athletic teams. No, the Chattanooga Choo Choo wasn't a real train. But don't forget the most famous train name in the world- the Orient Express! It was another world. As we fled the city centers and moved out to the suburbs that were well-served by superhighways, our embrace of car culture led to the detriment of rail travel in the bulk of the United States.
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Wait! Wait! Wait!
June 18, 1874, The Saturday Evening Press
So many wonderful things to see and do, and all in one day? Amazing! I would have been particularly interested in the "performing unicorn" and the "only juvenile animal trainer in the world, eight years of age." I've alluded to it before in other posts about the circus coming to town, but this poster reminds me so much of The Beatles' Mr. Kite. And for only 50 cents (kids under 9 pay 25 cents), a splendid time IS graranteed for all!
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Summer School
June 13, 1967, Twin City News-Record
Some interest, some forced smiles, some sick looks. I'm sure this student population ran the whole gamut of emotions, having to attend summer school, regardless of the subject matter. I think I know how I would have felt at their age. Heck, I felt that way even when I took summer courses in college and I elected to do that to myself!
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Father Time
June 12, 1968, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
It's not too soon to give a thought about thanking Dad for all those years of love and guidance. After all, isn't he worth a bottle of British Sterling, or a pair of shortie pajamas? Seriously though, June 16th isn't that far away.
Monday, June 3, 2024
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