Elisha D. Smith

 July 8, 1899 Oshkosh Northwestern

 

Elisha D. Smith needs no introduction to readers of this blog- namesake to the library, donator of Smith Park, founder and head of the Menasha Woodenware, and generally just all around biggest supporter for Menasha.  A personality that big surely deserved the tribute given him in this newspaper, complete with a likeness at a time when newspaper photography was virtually nonexistent and iillustrations were few.  No history of the city would be complete without his accomplishments in evidence.  The gratitude of Menasha's citizenry was evident; many businesses closed up shop to allow their employees to attend his services and his funeral procession was reportedly more than a mile long. 

(Such a sense of timing I have...I'd had this item just waiting to post on the 115th anniversary date of his death and then I forgot somehow.)

Here Comes Railroad Week

June 30, 1936 Oshkosh Northwestern

 

July 1, 1936 Oshkosh Northwestern

July 13, 1936 Oshkosh Northwestern

 

Beginning in the early 1930s, the railroads began to reinvent themselves with a program of modernizing passenger trains using railroad cars of lighter materials like aluminum or stainless steel.  The streamlined train came to represent the newest and finest in rail travel as the railroads sought to reinvent themselves as they competed with the public's newfound fascination with automobiles.  In time, when the 1950s rolled around, the influx of faster and safer airline service and the introduction of the interstate highway system proved to be even more worthy adversaries to the nation's railroads as a dependable means of transportation.  

Behind the Old Fire Station

Not so historical looking from the back end but still a proud old structure, this 1988 photo shows the rear of the old fire house/city hall before it was demolished. To the left is the former Twin City Savings drive through and to the right is the-then seniors center. 

Happy Independence Day!

I'm taking a few days away from the blog.  I'll be back on Tuesday, July 8th.  Until then, have a safe and enjoyable (and extended) weekend! 

Schultz Drug Store

An interior view from 1923 of Schultz's Drug Store at 180 Main Street. The clerk on the left is Walter Adrian, and the man on the right is pharmacist Helmer Haugh.  The store occupied the storefront at Main and Milwaukee for many years until the 1940s. 
Photograph courtesy of the Menasha Public Library
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I'm taking a few days away from the blog. I'll be back on Tuesday, July 8th.  Happy Independence Day!

John Strange's Birthday Party

from the Paper Trade Journal, 1912

 

Lest we forget, John Strange, despite his business successes in Menasha, was also elected as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in 1908, and served one term, from 1909 until 1911.

 

After his term ended, he continued his career in business.  When he died in 1923, he was president of the John Strange Paper Company, the John Strange Pail Company and the Stevens Point Pulp and Paper Company, as well as the director of R. McMillian Company. 

The Honorable S. A. Cook, mentioned here as toastmaster, was, of course, the namesake for the familiar armory that graced the border of the two towns for many years on Washington/Commercial Streets.

Fritse Park Quarry

This undated photograph shows a quarry that operated on the site of what is now Fritse Park on the west edge of Little Lake Butte des Morts. The railroad bridge seen in the background is now the Fox Cities Trestle Trail.

Photograph courtesy of the Menasha Public Library