Last Opportunity

November 11, 1939, Appleton Post-Crescent

By 1935, corrugated cardboard had succeeded over wooden containers, and the Woodenware discontinued its line of barrels.  Woodworking plants were converted to the manufacture of toys and juvenile furniture, a product line that would continue only until 1952.  But for now, dollhouse furniture was a vital means to survive during the Depression years. 

We first encountered the Woodenware's toy line back in 2013:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/06/tyke-toys.html.

Sample Ballot

November 1, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

As a kid, I always liked seeing the sample ballots printed in the newspaper.  I had always thought the polling place was a mysterious affair, although I do remember accompanying my Mom or Dad to Jefferson School as a little boy and was enamored with the whole "pull-the-handle-and-the-curtain-closes" thing.  I recall cutting the ballot out of the paper and pretending for a few minutes that I was casting my own, even though I'm sure I knew nothing beyond the TV ads I'd seen about the candidates.  Now, of course, at my age, any air of mystery is long gone and I know the candidates and their views, ad nauseum.  Nevertheless, it's the right thing to do, so go vote!

Save This Voting Guide

November 2, 1972, Oshkosh Advance-Titan

Knowing where to place your vote is, obviously, an imperative on Election Day.  UW-Oshkosh's newspaper saw fit to publish this handy guide in 1972 so the area's residents would know where to go.  The election that year was George McGovern vs. the incumbent, Richard Nixon.  We all know how that turned out. 

As a public service, this year's polling places are denoted on the following map:  http://www.cityofmenasha-wi.gov/content/departments/city_clerk/(2)voting_&_elections/documents/aldermanic_districts.pdf

Give It a Trial!

June 1898, Menasha Press

This patent medicine was represented locally by Charles Baldauf who passed away the next year in 1899.  His widow, Emma Baldauf was sister to Valentine M. Landgraf, famous for the Landgraf Hotel which was located on the grounds of the current Brin theater building.  Sadly, Baldauf's widow passed on the next year at age 32, leaving behind three young children. 

State Trophy Comes Home

November 2, 1959, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

The Menasha Historical Society took the prize in 1959 as the best historical society in Wisconsin.  Only historical societies affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society can be nominated for the award.  A society that has previously received the trophy is not eligible to be nominated again for a period of 25 years following its selection to receive the trophy.  It's so good to see so much effort across the state towards educating and enriching the public with local istory.

Award Winners

• 2014 — Evansville Grove Society
• 2013 — De Pere Historical Society
• 2012 — Sheboygan Historical Society
• 2011 — Bay View Historical Society
• 2010 — Dunn County Historical Society
• 2009 — Heritage Military Music Foundation
• 2008 — No trophy conferred
• 2007 — Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society
• 2006 — Chippewa Valley Museum
• 2005 — Burnett County Historical Society
• 2004 — Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
• 2003 — Fort Atkinson Historical Society
• 2002 — DeForest Historical Society
• 2001 — Mount Horeb Area Historical Society
• 2000 — Watertown Historical Society
• 1999 — Two Rivers Historical Society
• 1998 — New Berlin Historical Society
• 1997 — Cedarburg Cultural Center
• 1996 — Portage County Historical Society
• 1995 — Merrill Historical Society
• 1994 — McFarland Historical Society
• 1993 — Vernon County Historical Society
• 1992 — Mazomanie Historical Society
• 1991 — Clear Lake Historical Society
• 1990 — Manitowoc County Historical Society
• 1989 — Marathon County Historical Society
• 1988 — Kenosha County Historical Society
• 1987 — Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society
• 1986 — Bay View Historical Society
• 1985 — Wauwatosa Historical Society
• 1984 — Manitowoc Maritime Museum
• 1983 — New Holstein Historical Society
• 1982 — La Crosse County Historical Society
• 1981 — Outagamie County Historical Society
• 1980 — Waukesha County Historical Society
• 1979 — Chippewa Valley Museum
• 1978 — St. Croix County Historical Society
• 1977 — Hawks Inn Historical Society
• 1976 — Brown County Historical Society
• 1975 — Ripon Historical Society
• 1974 — Menomonee Falls Historical Society
• 1973 — Barron County Historical Society
• 1972 — Fort Atkinson Historical Society
• 1971 — Rock County Historical Society
• 1970 — Dunn County Historical Society
• 1969 — Ozaukee County Historical Society
• 1968 — Beloit Historical Society
• 1967 — Milwaukee County Historical Society
• 1966 — Wild Rose Historical Society
• 1965 — Watertown Historical Society
• 1964 — Fond du Lac County Historical Society
• 1963 — Oconto County Historical Society
• 1962 — South Wood County Historical Society
• 1961 — Douglas County Historical Society
• 1960 — Northland Historical Society
• 1959 — Menasha Historical Society
• 1958 — Marathon County Historical Society

History of Menasha Press

March 26, 1931, Appleton Post-Crescent

George Banta, Jr. gave his fellow Rotarians a short history of Menasha newspapers in this 1931 talk.  Oh, to be in the audience, listening to this and rubbing elbows with the many Menasha notables that must have been in attendance.  Imagine the history these guys could relate. 

Car Tour 1916

November 1, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent

The timeframe of this story predates a post we did last year showing a 1924 "auto trails" map published by Rand McNally:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2015/03/autotrails-map-of-1924.html.  As we discussed then, early efforts to help drivers navigate what roads there were, were limited to following landmarks and crude signage.  At least by 1924, there were some standards being developed.  This story, which is based in 1916, comes 8 years before the 1924 map, and was essentially describing a guidebook that gave sequential, left turn, right turn directions...a very crude GPS if you will!  Taking a long trip in an automobile must have been quite the adventure.