MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday,  June 11, 2014   

Thompson Community Center 

          

PROGRAM SUMMARY

“The History of the Sherman House and Conway Hotel" 

                            

CALL TO ORDER BY AHS BOARD MEMBER GWEN SARGEANT

 

TOTAL ATTENDANCE:     88

 

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

 

Laura Leimer, James Richter, Mark Moderson, Gwen Sargeant, Linda Muldoon, Brian Schneider.

 

 REVIEW OF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS:

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

September 10 - Appleton Yacht Club-Larry Konz

October 8 - Appleton’s Historic Ravines-Sandy Benton and Fox River Academy students

November 12 - The Appleton Picture Show.  Bring your own photos for show and tell.

December 6th   9th AHS History Fair, City Center, Downtown Appleton

 

APPLETON  HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:

 

 

·         Officers 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

 

 

GWEN SARGEANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

*She is officiating for President Tom Sutter while he is traveling out of state.

  A.Thanks to Paul Hoffman for last month’s program titled  “The History of Hoffman

      Construction”.

  B. Gave a summary of upcoming AHS programs (See List Above).

  C. Also reminded us that AHS will be hosting another Cemetary Walk at Riverside

       Cemetary on August 17th.

  D. Special thanks is also extended to Gannett Publications for regular coverage in their

      Bulletin paper.

E. Be sure to see “The Stone of Hope Exhibit” currently on display at the Outagamie

     Museum.

F.The YMCA is doing a Bus Trip and Tour to Chicago on Wednesday, August 5th. Key

    event will be to view the Chicago World’s Fair Exhibit at the Field Museum.

G.Just a reminder that previous meeting presentations can be found on YouTube, and our

    Meeting Minutes with Program Summary are on our Web Page.

 H.Door Prize –  Was presented to Barb Knapp, who won two car wash tokens provided by

     Bergstrom Enterprises.

 

    PROGRAM- History of the Sherman House and Conway Hotel by Gary Schierl

Gary Schierl Background:

Gary is a real estate Broker with Coldwell Banker and was born and raised in Appleton. His great-great grandmother started the Sherman House and then the Conway Hotel. The family's history has always fascinated him and he continues to work on his research.   He grew up next door to his grandparents and feels that family is very important.  Gary said, "If our generation doesn't record our family history, it makes it that much harder for the next generation". 

The Conway Bloodline:

                                    John Conway Senior                                       1830-1874

                                    Catherine Cox                                                 1835-1911

                                    Catherine Conway                                          1859-1934

                                    Frank F. Bellew                                              1856-1930

John Conway Junior                                       1862-1931

Jane Simons Evans                                          1882-1970

The Presentation:

(1)   In the 1860’s the Conway family purchased land at the corner of Washington and Oneida Streets in Appleton for $600.00. On the site they built a grocery store, livery stable, and hotel.

(2)   In 1886 John Conway Jr. at age 24 took over the family business. He primarily operated the Sherman House that was built in the early 1880’s.

(3)   The Hotel was second in the state to have electric lights.

(4)   It’s first addition was built in 1888.

(5)   Not only was John Jr. an active businessman, he also did a lot for the city and county. He saw the need for a business organization to cater to potential businesses:

(A) He helped start the first Chamber of Commerce.

(B)  Also aided in the development of St. Elizabeth Hospital.

(6)   Jr. was deaf in one ear and had his 1903 Cadillac built with right hand drive.

(7)   Being a motorist he also advocated for good roads in Wisconsin. In 1911 he formed “The Good Roads Association”. He facilitated the County bonding for 100 miles of roads in Outagamie. He was often called “The Father of Good Roads”.

(8)   On 12/29/22 The Sherman House’s name was changed to the Conway Hotel in the new company plan.

(9)   In 1928 the Conway was one of 12 hotels serving Appleton. Other hotels included the Waverly House and the Lawrence, at the northwest corner of Lawrence and Appleton streets.

(10)  In a few short years the Conway grew to 130 rooms. The facility could serve 450 people in it’s meeting rooms. They also had a coffee shop and a “soda grill”.

(11)John Conway incorporated the business for $400,000.00 with no public stock and

       employees became shareholders.

(12)In the late 1930’s there was a gas station across from hotel on the southwest corner

       of the Oneida and Washington Street intersection.

(13)John Conway III took over the business in the 1950’s. A Mr.  Pierre was the on site

       Hotel Manager.

(14) John III oversaw a complex of businesses and tenants, some of these were:

       (A) Bee Frank, a ladies apparel store.

       (B) Royal Cleaners, a basement tenant.

       (C) Corr Opticians.

 (D) Riverside Greenhouses.

            (15) They also bought the Northern Hotel and called it the Conway Annex.

            (16) Also added was an “Aquarium Bar”.

            (17 In the 1960’s Oscar J. Boldt Construction Company built the new Conway Motor

                    Inn, which had unique features:

(A) On each floor there was one room with a 7 foot long bed for unusually tall guests.

(B)  Each room was air conditioned and equipped with a television with four channels.

(C) The complex also had a “Crystal Ballroom”.

(D) Studio rooms even had a telephone in the bathroom.

(E)  Another major feature was “The Patio Restaurant”.

(18) A very noteworthy and popular hotel, the Conway served celebrities including:

        (A) Ella Fitzgerald.

        (B) Senator John Kennedy.

        (C) Richard Nixon and family.

        (D) Governor Romney of Michigan.

(19) In it’s heyday the Conway was the center of social activities in the City. Many

        Balls, the Spinster Spree and political meetings were held there. The Kiwanis Club

        of Appleton met there until the Hotel closed.

(20) In 1976 the Conway complex became an elderly housing facility and was called the

        Washington Place Apartments. It was operated by the County.

(21) John Conway III followed in the footsteps of Sr. and Jr. being a community leader

        and a participant in other businesses. He was a founder of Appleton’s Air

        Wisconsin.

 

In Conclusion, Schierl is hoping to keep the Conway name and its memory alive. He recently spoke to Mayor Hanna about renaming the old property as “Conway Place” instead of Washington Place. He urged the audience to contact the Mayor and City Alderpersons in this regard.

 

 

                      Respectfully, James L. Richter                                                      

                                 AHS Secretary, 6/30/14