Column

A traditional symbol- of government, of banking, of strength- this Corinthian column is one of four that decorated the old First National Bank at 175 Main Street, as seen in the photo postcard below. 

 

 

This building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

 

above images courtesy of the Ryerson & Burnham Archives Archival Image Collection

 

1955

In another of a continuing series of aerial shots, this view, apparently hovering over Dogtown, looks towards Lake Winnebago.  The Washington Street bridge is in the center of the photo. 

Photo courtesy of Lenaweb

Talk to Loescher

This ad from the advertisers' section of the 1920 Nicolet, Menasha High's annual, promotes the use of the Evinrude motor for any boat, first introduced in 1909.  Loescher's Hardware on Main Street carried the motors and the other requisite outdoor gear for a perfect vacation. 

The story goes that Mr. Evinrude, desiring some ice cream, rowed two and half miles across a lake west of Milwaukee during a picnic to obtain the ice cream but that it melted before he could return to the picnic site.  Purportedly, this inspired him to invent an engine that would replace the oar as a means of boat propulsion.  His first outboard motor was a one-cylinder, 1.5 hp design. 

Drying Yards

Pictured above are some of the drying yards for the Menasha Wooden Ware in the late 19th century and some information below about the company, culled from a 1915 reference

From The Geography of the Fox-Winnebago Valley by Ray Hughes Whitbeck, published by The State, Madison, WI. 1915

Happy Anniversary

This blog began exactly one year ago today.  I can't think of a better way to commemorate the day than by showcasing a photograph from Menasha's cenntennial celebration of 1953.   

I don't know the names of the bakers, but suffice it to say their wish for Menasha to have a Happy Birthday 60 years ago comes through loud and clear! 

Charles Reed

Charles Reed was the son of Menasha founder, Curtis Reed and was the deputy postmaster for Menasha for many years.  He was also deaf. 

Charles attended the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan for 5 years, and the School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he graduated in 1871. He went one year at Gallaudet University. Charles married Mary Elizabeth Angle on September 18, 1872. Mary was also deaf. They had one child, Curtis A Reed in July of 1873.  They remained married until Mary's death in 1890.  On October 7, 1903, Charles married Hypatia Boyd from Milwaukee.  They had two children, Lydia Jean Reed and Charles Boyd Reed (who died at 2 months of age). Charles met Hypatia at the Delavan School for the Deaf. And while both Charles and Hypatia were deaf, Charles used sign language and Hypatia used lip reading.  Both she and Charles were much involved in the deaf movement to help others.

May 6, 1911 Oshkosh Northwestern

Menasha Split Pulley Company Revisited

We first discussed this factory back in June of last year.   But my recent acquisition of his price list has allowed me this opportunity to better show you exactly what P. V. Lawson was making at his facility off Sixth Street.  The art work is from the files of the Menasha Historical Society.