MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Thompson Community Center
CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRPERSON TOM SUTTER
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 77
OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Tom Sutter, Laura Leimer, James Richter, Mark Moderson, Gwen Sargeant, Linda Muldoon, Brian Schneider, David Buss, and Karen Probst.
REVIEW OF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS:
May 14th Hoffman Construction, since 1892, by Paul Hoffman and Miles Girouard
June 11th Sherman House and Conway Hotel by Gary Schierl
July 9th Heid Music 66 years by Paul Heid
August 13th Harry H. Long Moving and Storage since 1917 by John Long
August 17th-- 2 p.m. Meet the Mayors Riverside Cemetery Walk - Part 3
APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:
· Officers and Committee Chairs for the organization are as follows:
A. President - Thomas Sutter
B. Vice President - Christine Williams
C. Secretary – James Richter
D. Treasurer – Laura Leimer
· Committee Chairs for the organization are as follows:
A. Mark and Karen Moderson, Principal Organizers
B. Brian Schneider, Technical Resources
C. David Buss, Research Specialist
D. Gwen Sargeant, Public Relations and Web Page
PRESIDENT SUTTER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A.Thanks to Gwen Sargent for last month’s program on Appleton Bicycling History 1869
to present.
B. Special thanks is also extended to Gannett Publications for regular coverage in their
Bulletin paper.
C. Sad news to report that Mrs. Doug Ogilvie has passed away. She and her family did a presentation just months ago at AHS on Pierce Manufacturing, the family’s company.
D. Also passed away is Al Vigl, one of our AHS Members.
E. Special note our February speaker Tom Boldt is receiving the Walter B. Rugland Community Service Award.
F. Just a reminder that previous meeting presentations can be found on YouTube, and our Meeting Minutes with Program Summary are on our Web Page.
G. Door Prize – Two Car Wash Tokens provided by Bergstrom Automotive was won by Nancy Barker.
H. Final reminder to renew your annual membership if you have not yet done so, we already have 80 paid members.
AHS COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS:
Gwen Sargeant, Board and Public Relations Committee Member:
1. Gave a summary of upcoming AHS programs through May (See List Above).
2. Also reminded us that AHS will be hosting another Cemetary Walk at Riverside
Cemetary on August 17th.
PROGRAM- “Appleton- Then and Now”, Presented by Scott Mahnke
Scott Mahnke’s Background:
Scott is an electrical engineer by trade, with McMahon Associates Engineers and Architects. He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Scott is an aficionado of American History, with emphasis on the Civil War, and in particular the Battle of Gettysburg. Scott is a member of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, and makes frequent pilgrimages to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Rhonda live in Appleton, and have three adult children.
Mahnke’s Presentation:
COLLEGE AVE.
White Heron Homestead
- Marker in Lutz Park
- Commemorates the White Heron Homestead of Hippolyte Grignon
- Hippolyte was first white settler in what would become Appleton
- Brought his family to the site in 1835 (they walked from Green Bay)
- Brother Charles is of Grignon Mansion fame
- Built White Heron Inn, site is between Lutz and Alicia Parks
- Home, and Trading Post
- Later surrounding area became a steamboat landing, operated by Louis Lehmann, who sold ice to picnicers.
- Lehmann sold the ice business to Lawrence Lutz, whose children eventually donated the land to the City, in memory of their parents.
Johnston House
- 1867 photo
- NW Corner of College and Morrison
- Originally the "Crescent House", later remodeled as the "Levake" House
- John Johnston, Appleton's first permanent white citizen
- Built house as a lodging house for workmen building Lawrence; also was a hospital, church Sunday School, Post Office, and Social Center.
- Destroyed by fire in 1868
View down College Ave., looking west from Morrison
1864
Johnston House visible on the right
“Coffins” sold on the south side.
Pettibones - 122-126 W. College Ave. - 18xx photo.
- Appleton Crescent, August 12, 1865, announcement:
" C.J. Pettibone - Dealer in dry goods of every description. Choice family groceries. Hats, caps, boots, and shoes, etc. Store in brick building, next door west of bank, Appleton."
- Founded by Chauncey J. Pettibone of Fond du Lac.
- A branch of six Pettibones throughout NE Wisconsin
- Later, George Peabody became manager, and eventually partner.
- 1897 became "Pettibone-Peabody Company."
- Store was re-built as 4-floor building around 1902.
- Pettibones was purchased by the H.C. Prange Co. in 1946.
- In 1992, The H.C. Prange Department Store Division was purchased by Younkers, which became part of the Saks group, which included Boston Store and Herbergers.
View down College, looking east from Appleton Street
1887 photo
View down College Ave., looking east from Appleton
1892 image
Jacob Kober Clothing and Dry Goods Store visible
Montgomery Drug Store visible
1st National Bank
201 West College Ave., SW Corner of College Ave. and Appleton.
1890 photo
Building built in 1870
Was Otterlee’s Diamond Center in the 1970’s
Today basically vacant
Adjacent to the west was the Post Newspaper Building
Built in 1878
Post-Crescent Story
Appleton Crescent formed in 1853 – aligned Democratic
Appleton Motor formed in 1859 – aligned Republican
Motor changed to Appleton Post in 1887
The two merged on February 2nd, 1920, became Post-Crescent
Today is Cleo’s (left) and Mad Hatter (right)
200 block of west college
1978 image
Douglas Block: Bryan Douglas Dental Parlors
And Deland’s Business College
100 E. College Ave.
1892 Photo
DeLand’s Business College; Bryan Douglas Dental Parlor; Jake The Clothier; Appleton Fruit House
Was Grace’s clothing store in the 1970’s
Building Saved from demolition for Avenue Mall
Today – El Patron Mexican Restaurant, with space available.
Avenue Mall Under Construction
1986
View of Appleton Marble and Granite Works Fourth of July Float
1895 image
Taken from position of modern PAC
One of the Owners, Henry Hegner, is 2nd from left (?)
Henry and John founded the Hegner Construction Co.
Henry Hegner also served as founding VP of AAL, 1902.
Today, site is CU Saloon, Sal’s Pizza, and Chadwicks
View down College, from Superior
1922
Original AAL Building on left
View down College, looking west from Morrison Street
1927 photo
Majestic Theater at far right
Woolworth’s building adjacent
Building on the immediate left is The Heckert Building
- Built in 1874 by Herman Heckert, as a restaurant and saloon.
- After two fires, he changed to the shoe business, and the place existed for many years as Heckert Shoe Co.
- Upstairs of the building is where Rabbi Samuel Weiss led the Appleton Reformed Jewish Congregation.
- Weiss was Harry Houdini’s father
View down College, looking west from Oneida
-1938 photo
- Montgomery Ward is across from Zuelke Building
- East of Zuelke Bldg. is Goodmans Jewelers – which today is Bagelicious. Formerly Starbucks.
- Across from Goodman’s is the Douglas Building – which in 1938 was Muir Drug Store.
121-123 W. College Ave.
Built 1879-1911
Visible are Schlafers’s Hardware, Brauer’s, Mann’s Gift & Card.
Perry-Ernst Building at right was built pre-1870, in “French Second Empire” Style.
All of those are now gone in favor of the Houdini Plaza
Visible at far left is Brettschneider’s in the Reigel Building, now the Trout Museum of Art (with the cool night neon lights on the side.)
J.C. Penney, between Superior and Appleton Streets
- 1948 photo
- Today is Copper Rock Coffee Company
Old AAL Building
- Image is a 1920's colorized postcard
- Building constructed in 1922
- It was razed in 1964, to make room for the west half of the new facility
Old AAL Building
1950’s
Viking Theater
1989
What’s playing? Star Trek V
Today stands vacant
Gimbels
Opened March 11, 1971.
1986 photo
Today, is City Center East
Construction of First National Bank
- 1910’s Photo
- Pettibones "Annex" beyond
- NW Corner of College and Appleton
First National Bank
- "New" First National
- Building completed in 1913
Benoit & Montgomery Drug Store
- 1870 photo
- First 3-story office building in Appleton
- Destroyed by Fire, 1875
- Barefoot boy and his dog sits in the doorway
Commercial National Bank
1880 photo
Same site as the Benoit Montgomery Drug Store
In 1926, Commercial Bank Building was purchased by Irving Zuelke
In 1928, Building destroyed by fire (side photo)
Zuelke Building
- Originally 7 floors
- Completed December 1931
- Post-Crescent December 11, 1931:
"There's activity in Appleton. History reminds us that every past recession has been the foundation of new prosperity. Today, Appleton shows her confidence - strides ahead with her plans for a greater city. There is activity in Appleton - and with its greater College and Industrial program developed a demand for a new modern office building. THE NEW IRVING ZUELKE BUILDING - Finest Store and Office Building in Wisconsin.
Exterior of Bedford Stone and Granite, Interior Lobbies and Corridors entirely of marble, Sealair Aluminum Allow Windows, Copper Cast concealed Radiators, Accoustile Ceilings to abate noise, a Weather Machine - Fresh Filtered Air to provide a comfortable and healthful atmosphere. Located in the Heart of Appleton.
- Expanded to current 12 floors 1948
Zuelke Building – 12-floors
- 1948 photo
- Now photo is shifted, due to presence of parking ramp
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building
- 1892 photo
- SE Corner of College and Morrison
- In Britain, folks who would do kind things were called "Odd Fellows“
From their web site:
In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd Fellows”
- Building later became independent order of Outstanding Furniture (Gabriel Furniture)
- One of the few old buildings to be given new skin
Volksfreund Block
Built in 1882, in “Second Empire” Style
200 E. College (NE corner of College and Morrison)
1892 Photo
Originally the German newspaper “Volksfreund”
Later Peerenboom Dry Goods Store
Became W.A. Close Men’s Clothing Store in the 1970’s
Destroyed by Fire April of 1981
Site is now Peterson Berk & Cross
Presbyterian Church, and Armory
1909 Postcard
H.C. Prange Building
- 1961
AROUND TOWN
Hearthstone House
- House built by Appleton industrialist Henry J. Rogers
- First house in the world lit with the “Edison central hydroelectric station.”
- Henry Rogers ran the Appleton Paper and Pulp Co. The house was located on the bluff above the mill. The Edison dynamo was located at the mill, in the beater room.
- Central Station began operation Sept. 30, 1882. It provided lighting power for the Appleton Paper and Pulp mill, K.C.’s Vulcan mill, and the Rogers’ house.
- The mill was destroyed by fire in 1891.
- House was a restaurant in the 1930’s, called the “The Hearthstone” because of the nine fireplaces.
- In 1986 the City considered razing the building, but it was saved from demolition by the “Friends of the Hearthstone, Inc.”
Park Ave.
1907 Photo Post Card
Today is the Lawrence University Hulbert House, which is used for faculty housing.
Old Old Post Office
- 1913 post card
- Caption on post card says "New Post Office"
- NE Corner of Washington and Oneida
- It was across the street from the Fire Station 1
- The columns face oneida street
Old Post Office
- Circa 1940 image
- SW Corner of Superior and Washington (columns face Superior)
- Site today is Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Bldg.
- 1966 photo
- Robert Duszak, architect
Old Fire Department No.1
Washington and Oneida, SW corner
Old Fire Department No.2
Loc: NW Corner of Eighth and State Streets
Fire Station No.1.
View taken from Sherman House.
(no “now” photo)
Fire Station No.1
1910 photo. Testing Pumper Truck.
Police Station
1939
It was just west of Fire Station No.1 (same structure)
Old YMCA
- NW Corner of Lawrence and Oneida
- Today is site of the Appleton Center office building
The Castle
Formerly the English Methodist Church
Site is now an auxiliary parking lot for the Y.
Appleton Street Looking South
- 1909 photo
- Shows Hotel Ritger at the SW corner of Washington and Appleton
- Hotel Ritger became Hotel Appleton
Hotel Appleton
1960
Old Old City Hall
121 South Oneida St., behind Zuehlke Building
Built 1889, in Greek Revival Style
Could be the first City-owned building
Photo is 1935
Became Appleton Public Library
Space is currently Houdini Plaza walk-way area
Old City Hall – Washington Street
1970’s
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot, North Street
1910??
Elevated view
Soo Line Depot
1910 Photo
Formerly site of Kohls grocery store.
Now the Thompson Center.
Waverly House
- NW Corner of Lawrence and Appleton
- First electrically lit hotel in the U.S. west.
- From the 1889 publication "Appleton Illustrated:" -
"This model hotel is centrally located near the business portion of the city, and is conducted by W.H. Cottrell whose reputation as a genial and liberal host extends all over the Northeast. The better class of travelers who visit Appleton on business or pleasure seek shelter at the Waverly. The building is a fine brick structure four stories high, with mansard roof. The first floor is occupied by a commodious office, reading room, sample rooms, and large dining room. The cuisine of the Waverly has no equal outside of the largest cities; it is conducted on the most liberal basis, insuring the rarest viands and the best markets afford. The hotel is lighted throughout with the incandescent electric light, and heated by steam. The guests are provided with every requisite for comfort and convenience."
- Destroyed by fire, 1898
- Became site of the Elks Lodge
- Currently site of “Midtown” Parking Ramp
B.P.O.E. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
* 129 S. Appleton Street
• Post Card Image
• Former site of the Waverly House
* Built: 1913, Spanish Prairie Style
* Current site of “Midtown” Parking Ramp
Bushey’s Business College
Site is currently Salvation Army
Bijou Theater
1912 view.
Showed silent movies
Located at the Corner of Oneida and Midway St. (now City Center Street)
RIO Theater
From Washington Street, Looking south down Oneida
- 1940 photo
- White building is Montgomery Ward, across street from Zuelke Building.
- What’s playing? Wallace Berry, in “Thunder Afloat”
Wallace Berry also starred in the original version of “The Champ,” which was remade in 1979 with Jon Voigt and Ricky Schroeder.
RIO Theater.
Built in 1929
Originally called the FOX Theatre
Purchased by H.C. Prange Co. in 1959
Razed in 1963
From the Post Crescent, April 2, 1925:
"APPLETON TO GET $600,000 THEATRE
Construction of a theatre in Appleton, to cost in the neighborhood of $600,000, will be started before the end of Spring by Chris Schroeder and Sons of Milwaukee. Neither Mr. Schroeder, nor the Milwaukee office, would tell where the theatre is to be located. It is proposed to erect a building, similar to the one now being constructed by the same company in Fond du Lac.
Rumors that a new theater was to be erected in Appleton have been circulated many times in the past, but always met with denials. Some months ago it was stated that negotiations were in progress for the purchase of the property occupied by the Bijou Theater and Western Union Telegraph Co., and that the buildings were to be torn down to make room for a new structure. The rumors were denied at the time. Whether this is the property for which the Schroeder interests are negotiating could not be learned.
The Retlaw Theatre now under construction in Fond du Lac will be one of the finest buildings in the Fox River Valley.
1931 Photo of Fox Theatre
What’s Playing?
Janet Gaynor, and Charles Farrell in “Merely Mary Ann”
Retlaw Theater in Fond du Lac
Modern view of Retlaw Theater, in Fond du Lac
Today Is Fusion restaurant
RIO Theater.
1948 photo
What’s Playing?: Ann Sheridan and Zachary Scott in “The Unfaithful.”
Synopsis: Chris Hunter (Ann Sheridan) kills an intruder and tells her husband and lawyer it was an act of self-defense. It's later revealed that the intruder was actually her lover and she had posed for an incriminating statue he created. So, she killed him to keep the affair a secret.
Appleton Theater
- 1903 photo
Theatre had its Gala Opening Night on February 10th, 1902
Performance was “Nathan Hale,” one of the most popular dramas touring the country that year.
Wisconsin-born actor Howard Kyle played the title role.
Appleton Crescent raved about the whole opening night experience.
John Conway was among the original sponsors.
Demolished in April, 1972
Appleton Theater
- 1924 colorized postcard
Sherman House
John Conway built the first unit of the Sherman House in 1886
Corner of Oneida, and Washington Streets.
He named it the “Sherman House,” because that happened to be a popular name for hotels in larger cities around the country.
- The predecessors being named after William Tecumseh Sherman, of Civil War fame.
Additions took place in 1888, 1896, 1901, and 1904
Name changed to The Conway on January 1, 1923, when John Conway restructured the business, and took in some employees as partners.
Outagamie Co. Insane Asylum
- 1969, aerial photo
Outagamie County Asylum for the Chronic Insane
1886 view.
Appleton Children’s Home (Orphan’s Home)
Loc: NW Corner of 5th and Story Streets
>>>>> Note pictured view is not the correct site. Correction pending.
View up Oneida Street, looking north from College
- Muir’s Drug Store on the right.
- Can’t see what’s playing at the RIO
SCHOOLS
First Ward School
Meade and Franklin Streets
Built in 1881, with expansions in 1885 and 1889
Loc: at Corner of Meade and Franklin
Second Ward School
SE Corner of Appleton and Fisk (Franklin)
1892 photo
Built in 1856 (Previous wood structure burned in 1855), at a cost of $5000
Named the “Hercules” School
First High School Class began in 1876, on the 2nd floor. There were 10 students.
Future Site of Lincoln School
Third Ward School
Built in 1884
Loc: NE Corner of 5th and Locust
View is a 1909 Postcard
Was used as a grade school, and high school for a time.
Eventually demolished
Fourth Ward School
Loc: SW Corner of Jackson, and Lincoln (faces Jackson)
Built 1889
Later called “McKinley School”
View is a 1911 Postcard
Site today is Jaycee Park
5th Ward School
818 W. Loraine St.
Built 1895, in Richardson Romanesque Style
Photo is 1903 Postcard view
Became known as “Washington School”
Listed National Register of Historic Places for Outagamie Co.
Today is Washington Plaza Apartments
Old 5th Ward School
Same block as Washington School, but was east side.
Sixth Ward School – Columbus School
713 N. Oneida St.
Built 1892
Named Columbus, because 1892 marked 400th anniversary of Columbus arrival in the New World
Built in Queen Anne style
Photo is 1909 Postcard
It is Appleton’s oldest standing school
-extensive remodeling addition
Old Sixth Ward School
Site is now playground at Columbus School.
Was known as “Amicus” School
Lincoln School
221 N. Oneida St. (Road at bottom of photo is Fisk (Franklin)
Built 1887, Richardson Romanesque Style (like 5th Ward School)
Site of the old Second Ward School
Later remodeled to become City Hall
Now, the site of the Appleton Public Library
Ryan High School
1892 image
- Built 1881-1883, at a cost of $25,000
- Named after one of Appleton’s most colorful pioneer families, the Ryans.
- There was a Samuel Ryan Sr., and a Samuel Ryan Jr. (Jr. was a school superintendent, so likely named after him.)
- Ryan functioned as two schools in one:
- Full 8 grades
- A 4-year high school
Destroyed by Fire, January 26, 1904. Chimney fire, turned into an inferno. The fire hoses could not reach to the heights of the flames.
Appleton High School - Morgan Building
120 E. Harris
Was Carrie Morgan School, on same block as Ryan School, built after Ryan was destroyed by fire.
2nd All-City high school building in Appleton (after Ryan School)
Today, Morgan Building is…
Administration Space
Central High School (for at-risk students)
Wisconsin Connection Academy (K-12 virtual school, charter school)
St. Joseph’s School
330 West Lawrence St.
Built in 1880
1892 Photo
Was known as “German Catholic” (vs. St. Mary’s Irish Catholic)
At one time was Kristine’s Dance Academy
Lawrence University, “Old Main”
Built 1853, Neo-Classical Revival Style
Multi-use dorm and lecture facility
It is the oldest building on campus
Lawrence is named for Amos Lawrence, who made a $10,000 contribution for the purposes of building the college.
Taft at Lawrence University
1911
At Old Main
Now Picture – Mr. Sutter in place of President Taft.
CHURCHES
Baptist Church
First Congregational Church
Built in 1888
Red Brick Church replaced the “Little Brown Church” that had been the church since 1853.
- Reeder Smith and Amos Lawrence’s church
Last service was held on Oct. 27th, 1968.
Little Brown Church was on the west side of Oneida, on the spot of the old old City Hall.
Zion Lutheran Church
Original Church and school
1892 photo
“New” church was built 1902
Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran
- Site of current parking lot of St. Paul’s Lutheran.
- Emanuel and St. Paul’s were back-to-back at that time.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School
1890’s photo
Current church built on same site, 1906
Jewish Synagogue
Looks very much the same today.
English Methodist Church
Minus the bell tower, the structure would become “The Castle”
St. Mary’s Church
316 S. State St.
Built 1874
Photo 1892
Known as “Irish Catholic” Church (vs. St. Joseph’s, German Cath.)
Original church on the site was built in 1859, which remained until St. Joseph’s was built in 1872
INDUSTRY
Atlas Paper Mill
An 1878 Kimberly Clark venture
Burns in 1888. Rebuilt in 4 months
First product was wrapping paper, using ground wood pulp (instead of jute)
Atlas Pulp Mill
Currently the site of We Energies Hydro-Electric Plant
Tioga and Vulcan Mills
Vulcan Mill (on right)
Built in 1881
Made book paper
Tioga Mill (on left)
Built 1883
Made Book paper
View of Mill Area from Upper Dam
1887 View
Visible are the Atlas Mill, Vulcan Mill, and Tioga Mill.
Appleton Paper and Pulp Co. in foreground – (where the Hearthstone Dynamo was located)
Fox River Paper Corp. – Fox River Mills
Began in 1883
Today – restored as Fox River Mills Apartments
Lincoln Mill
Part of Fox River Paper Co. – Fox River Mills
Telulah Paper Mill
- 1892 photo
- located on Grand Chute Island, on E. South Island Street.
- Kimberly Clark builds the Telulah Paper Mill in 1887 to add to the company's newsprint capacity.
- Mill is rebuilt to produce book paper in 1893
- Mill is sold to Fox River Paper Co. in 1921.
- Today, is Neenah Paper Co., producing high quality writing paper.
Manufacturing Investment Company – Interlake Paper
Near old John Street Bridge
Later Interlake Paper – Div. of Consolidated Paper.
Now site of new Apartment Complex, under construction.
Middle Dam
Near Oneida Street
Upper Dam
Near Memorial Street Bridge
George Muench Brewery
- 1880s photo
- Built by Anton Fischer in 1858, first brewery in Outagamie County. Fischer also helped with the construction of the Fox River Canal system.
- 1854 Appleton law of prohibition (weakly enforced). Repealed in 1865.
- Fischer sold the brewery to Carl Muench in 1860; Muench was a young foreman from the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. of Milwaukee.
- Muench added a beer garden in the rear, which became an Appleton institution.
- 1887, fire damaged the building, but it was not a total ruin.
- Muench also owned brewery on Walnut (now occ by police station)
- Eventually purchased by George Walter. Walter brewery produced Adler Brau. (Walter also purchased the Walnut St. brewery.)
- Building had several owners, was once the "Verifine Dairy."
- Building renovated in 1977 to be "Between the Locks" retail.
- Today, lower level is Stone Cellar Brewpub.
George Walter Brewing Co.
- 210-220 S. Walnut St.
Union Toy and Furniture Co.
- located just over the Lawe St. Bridge, to the east, near Lock 3.
Pencil Sketch of the City
From bluff on the south bank, near Lock 3
Taken from “History of Northern Wisconsin,” 1881.
Pat’s Tap
From the August 11, 1986 issue of Sports Illustrated.
Today is Dr. Jeckyl’s.
Conclusion:
Nice how sometimes things just stay the same (‘Now’ image, 1986 re-created photo.)
Respectfully, James L. Richter
AHS Secretary, 4/21/14