Loescher Says Buy Local

September 14, 1939, Menasha Record

Can you imagine buying a washer for $39.95?  Yes, it was 1939, but still.... I know, I know, it isn't fair to moon over prices like that when Depression era folks were lucky to find employment for 25 cents per hour.  But really, I feature this ad to applaud the idea that a local merchant would urge us to buy locally, especially from a stalwart like Speed Queen, made in good ol' Ripon, Wisconsin.  My Mom had a washer just like that, although it was a Maytag, made in Iowa, I think.  State pride aside, she knew and I knew that the Maytag was a work horse, so much so that growing up in an era that almost demanded automatic washers, she still opted to use the old Maytag with the wringer on the top.  And when she was gifted with a new modern one by my father, the thing lasted less than a week before she sent it back and got a newer wringer washer, another Maytag.  

I'm taking a week's vacation from the blog, so have a great Labor Day holiday.  I'll be back here on September 9th.  See you then!

Land Offices Map

When was the last time you saw a map that featured Menasha prominently and didn't include Neenah?  Ever?  This 1866 map of government land offices and the state's counties does just that, for Menasha was the US Government Land Office until 1893, with an office on Broad Street. 

Glory of the Morning

October 22, 1982, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

October 6, 1999, Appleton Post-Crescent

Today we get a great read about Hopokoekau, or Hopoekaw, purportedly the first woman ever talked about in the history of WIsconsin.  As the article states, her name means "when the morning comes" but she was better known by the French interpretation as "Glory of the Morning."  Although the resultant story is that she lived a long time, no one is for sure and reports of her lasting to the age of 140 are unlikely, though it makes for interesting reading.  Her influence on Doty Island and the surrounding area is immense, as her children and their descendants became profoundly important leaders in the Ho-Chunk tribe in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Nifty Map

This is a portion of a pictorial map showing historical events and locations within the state of Wisconsin, as well as waterways and counties. You'll notice the Nicolet landing is attributed to the Green Bay area, though we still get credit for Glory of the Morning.  More about her as the week progresses.  

The map was created in 1932 though the caption on the bottom reads:"Published by the Milwaukee Sentinel commemorating its one hundredth anniversary June 27, 1937. Approved by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission. Checked and approved by Dr. Joseph Shafer, superintendent of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, and Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg, senior research associate. Endorsed by the Wisconsin State Chamber of Commerce. Litho. in U.S.A."

The full map can be viewed here: 
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/14255 and unlike many of the resources at the Wisconsin Historical Society, for this map, online reproduction of this material is permitted because its copyright protection has lapsed or because sharing it here for non-profit educational purposes complies with the Fair Use provisions of the U.S. Copyright Law. 

Dance School

       September 28, 1939, Menasha Record

Seems like dancing was a part of what was known as the "social graces" back then. A well rounded young man was supposed to be able to hold his own on the dance floor, as well as to be able to discern a salad fork from the dinner fork.  Menasha had its own school of dancing which, if you weren't prone to needing a brush-up on ballroom dancing, allowed you to learn the latest steps, and who knows, perhaps become the next Gene Kelly.

Drive...for your Sunday Dinner

August 11, 1928, Appleton Post-Crescent

Here at the blog, we often look askance at historical ads, commenting on prices and menu items which, though proper for the time, are taken out of context to the present day, and seem extremely inexpensive or unbelievably out of fashion.   Case in point- this Hotel Menasha ad.  $1.00 per plate seems rather affordable, wouldn't you say?  Even for 1928.  What amazes me is the command to "Drive to Hotel Menasha for your Sunday Dinner."  Perhaps this appealed to the more genteel crowd in Appleton who might find it exotic to drive down to Menasha in their Hupmobiles.  Did very many folks own cars in 1928? Especially in the Fox Valley?  I know we were in that transitioning phase when mass transit (the interurban) had just been phased out in favor of motor cars and buses, but I find it hard to believe everybody had a car in 1928.  Still, trends are to be followed in the retail and service industry games, so a call for car owners to drive to downtown Menasha might have been just the ticket.  Census statistics for the era show 24 million car registrations across the US and the trend would only increase, until the Great Depression years of the early 1930's caused a decrease. 

Kid Runners

September 11, 1989, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Enthusiasm and excitement ruled the day, despite the rainy, soggy conditions.  Such happy and determined faces took part in the competition.  I wonder how many of these kids still run.