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Downtown 1958

Downtown 1958

Monday, December 23, 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


I am taking a break from the blog until after the New Year, so please accept my fondest wishes for a terrific holiday season.  Spend time with your loved ones if you can, recharge your batteries, and live in the moment.  Thank you for suppporting this endeavor; I appreciate each and every one of you!  

Friday, December 20, 2024

Hair Work

 

December 26, 1878, Saturday Evening Press

Frankly, I had never heard of such a thing until good friend Google let me know that this was a big deal in the late 19th century.  Follow this link to see some examples:  https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/human-hair-watch-chains-1870-1900-era.128889/

The things you learn from doing this job, lol....

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Christmas Candy by the Pail

 

A 1931 ad in a grocers' trade journal touts the advantages of shipping and selling bulk candies in a pail produced by the Menasha Wooden Ware.  Eventually wooden pails for shipping goods would be phased out. By the mid-1950s, pails were not even manufactured anymore by the firm, having been overtaken by corrugated boxes and the like.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Valley Fair Stands Ready and Willing...

 

December 2, 1961, Appleton Post-Crescent

Here at the blog, regular readers know that the blogmeister loves himself some Valley Fair memories from way back.  So he was thrilled to find this shot of the center court in all its geometric glory to offer his readers.  Many a Christmas shopping trip began...and ended there.  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

A New Kind of Hobby

 December 29, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

Mr. Kurowski's hobby reminds me of ham radio operators who mail each other postcards to acknowledge their contacts. And it's also reminiscent of having a pen pal.  I had known of service members who would exchange audio tapes with family members during long absences from home.  But I didn't know there was an established hobby with its own label for its members...tapespondents.  

Monday, December 16, 2024

Sales Mart

December 12, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

Long time readers of this blog know that this was an airplane hangar at the George Whiting Airport dating back to the 1920's.  When I was growing up in the 60's, this building was a Goodwill.  Later it became a Kitz and Pfeil hardware, which it remains today.  I never knew what evolved out of that airport over the years, but this photo fills in some of that gap. Gotta love the old cars.  

Friday, December 13, 2024

Holiday Dreams?

 

December 23, 1939, Menasha Record

I've spent considerable time thinking about what this represents (really, too much time, lol).  Is this some kind of hangover fever dream from imbibing too much Walter Bros. beer?  Is Santa taunting him with a necktie for Christmas because he has enough ties to stock a clothier and he wants virtually anything else?  Or is it some subtle reminder that his shopping isn't completed? And why is Santa flying (with wings) like an angel?  Christmas minded blog masters want to know.  

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Eagles Party

 December 24, 1947, Appleton Post-Crescent

Santa looks like he needs a little meat on his bones during the Eagles party at the Brin.  Regardless of Santa looking like he'd been using Ozempic, these kids weren't having it.  Even if he'd appeared in Bermuda shorts, no matter, ol' Santa would still have gotten the job done.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Bedeck Your Home...

 December 17, 1947, Menasha Record

Santa's little elves have been working overtime as agents of Linsdau Florists to make your home presentable in time for Christmas.  Many years later, these elves will be notable for residing "on a shelf" and keeping all good little children in line with their surveillance skills.  

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Poor Mother

 

December 19, 1930, Menasha Record

I'm sure Loescher's had the best of intentions and I'm guessing the lists were skewed to what the store carried, but I can't help thinking of poor "Mother" with all those appliance suggestions to help her do even more around the house while "Father" gets fishing reels and ice skates and shot guns.  It's indicative of 1930's "Mother's" role in the house, while "Sister" is getting trained with toy dishes and a toy washing machine.  Hoo boy.

Monday, December 9, 2024

Bonus Feature This Week

 November 24, 1965, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Seeing as it is still in the vicinity of our recent Thanksgiving holiday, I dare to cross backwards into November to remind all of our blog readers of the famous Hotel Menasha smorgasbord.  Dare I say a $1.35 feast even in this year of 1965 sounds like a bargain.  And with the special dispensation of the bishop, one can definitely put the thoughts of leftover turkey behind with meaty Macaroni and Lasagna.