Feud Renewed

 

August 23, 1962, Appleton Post-Crescent

Here's a good "Looking Backward" column from the Post-Crescent regarding the animosity between the two towns, early on.  It always seems to stem from one town having it better than the other, and look at the date.  It's during the Civil War, but we tend to forget that life goes on, despite these historical benchmarks; that in the light of today's hindsight, we think nothing else is of importance and lose sight of everyday life.  Well, just ask the agitated citizens of Menasha and Neenah during this time of what consequence these threats were, of how they jeopardized their livelihoods and threatened the economies of their respective communities.  

Birth of the Rails

 

June 11, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

With the future of the Menasha Soo Line depot in jeopardy in 1967, the Post-Crescent provided readers with a concise history of the birth of the railroads in Menasha and Neenah.    Menasha's ego was justifiably insulted by its treatment by the Chicago and North Western line, terminating its line at Neenah, instead of continuing into Menasha.  But this just furthered the rivalry between the two cities and led to the Wisconsin Central being founded at the National Hotel in 1871.  Eventually it was absorbed into the Soo Line system.

Let Us Furnish you the Lawn Mower...

                                     

        

                      

July 15, 1909, Menasha Record

Loescher Hardware was a mainstay in downtown Menasha for many years, located on the corner of Racine and Main, where Club Liquors settled many years later.  I'm sure many of us made some acquaintance in the past with the reel mower that gave us all a workout in the backyard, unlike the self-propelled versions of today.  

Now, in Neenah

I couldn't provide you a photo of John Stilp's grocery in Menasha from yesterday, so, by extension, I give you his establishment in Neenah.  The John Stilp, Jr. grocery was located at 221 N. Commercial Street on the island.  This photo, courtesy of the Neenah Public Library, dates back to 1905.  The caption that accompanied it said that the wagon in front of the store is a Postal Service wagon.  The posters in the windows are advertisements for the Gollmar Bros. Circus on August 10 of that year.  And of course, the owner and his family occupied the flat upstairs. 

August 9, 1905, The Neenah Daily Times

August 11, 1905, The Neenah Daily Times

As you read here, the circus received very positive press and was impressive enough to enchant a couple of aspiring young circus workers to take leave of their homes and worry their respective moms.

Affordable Prices

 

June 29, 1889, Saturday Evening Press

Mr. Stilp's grocery was a short-lived affair in Menasha.  By the next year he was selling out, moving to Neenah where he established a grocery on 221 Commercial Street.  He also went into politics, becoming the third ward alderman and a member of the Winnebago County Board.  Sometimes Menasha gives a person his start but, for whatever circumstance, flowers elsewhere in a big way.  

School's Out!

June 3, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

With apologies to Alice Cooper (though he wouldn't create that immortal rock anthem for another five years), comes this late comer from early June.  While it would have been a better fit to have featured this a few weeks back, the sentiment still stands regardless, that it must be a release from the school day blues in order to make a great summer.  And these guys have that look in spades.  I knew most of these guys and I know they always made the most of their summers.  

Gotta Wait

July 8, 1980, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Hot fun in the summertime, doesn't always go to plan.  This fellow had his hopes dashed one July day, but luckily it was a just a temporary delay.  And I'm impressed how he just screams late 1970's/early 1980's by that outfit he's wearing.  Come to think about it, we all had socks like that at one time or another.  And that bike was de rigueur for a kid his age.  A true moment in time.