Menasha Historical Society

06/05/2026

Early Trucking/Drayage in Menasha

William E. Wheeler and his son, Winfield, operated the drayage business on Chute Street in 1894. A barn fire that year destroyed four horses, carriages and two interurban buses. On average, the business employed eight men with 10-15 horses. The company rebuilt.

At the time of William’s death in 1913, the company was an agent for Ford automobiles. That year Menasha got two 1913 Ford Roadsters—only one other of its kind in the state at Milwaukee. In the 1939 Directory, the company operated out of a Racine Street address with a repair shop on Main.

In 1942, a gas explosion at the Main Street garage sent Andrew Johnson, Lawrence Pontow and Jim Lauritzen running from the building with their clothing aflame. The fire spread to the adjoining Onward Manufacturing, but City Hall and Gibson Tire Company had lesser damage.

William’s grandson, Julius Wheeler, was president of Wheeler Tank Lines in 1952. Another division was Wheeler Transfer and Storage. Four years later, these branches would become part of Consolidated Freightways. And, in 2002, that company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A trail of other acquisitions further diluted any trace of Menasha's Wheeler trucking company.

06/03/2026

WE LOVE MENASHA

06/01/2026

Following our map, we have come to a prime piece of real-estate at 190 Main Street, now one-third of the current WeatherVane restaurant. According to the online property history, this building was erected in 1920.

Sticking with the businesses that were in this newer building—now numbered 188 and 190 Main—we find that, in June 1920, Albert J. Lenz opened Twin City Pastry Shop and the United Cigar Store. In a little more than a year, the Coffee Shoppe would serve home-cooked meals, in conjunction with newspapers and smoking supplies, next door to the pastry shop.

In 1923, Lenz sold the Coffee Shoppe and bought it back. However, in 1925, Lenz sold it again. The restaurant would change hands again and again. It became Valley Coffee Shop and the Super Ice Cream Shop in 1937. Extensive fire damage occurred that December but there was sufficient insurance to rebuild and reopen “Menasha’s Finest Eating Place”, the Valley Coffee Shop, on March 6, 1938.

The next manager was Frank Prokash, a Kewaunee native, owner of the Kewaunee Brewery. From 1953-1959, “Gramps” Prokash operated the Valley Coffee Shoppe (the original spelling.) His son, Orville, owned Prokash’s in Appleton and the Coffee Shoppe in Menasha. The Appleton Prokash closed in 1954. “Gramps” collapsed and died at the Shoppe in May 1959 at the age of 68.

Orville, his wife Leola, and son Jon managed the Prokash Valley Coffee Shoppe until 1996. Prokash worked for Zaug’s Vending & Food Service, giving credit to his family for keeping the business going. Again, in rapid succession, new owners were Larry and Juanita Bevers of Juanita’s Hacienda. Then Julie Young, of Julie’s Breakfast Club fame, and The Three Sisters moved into the building in 2002.

The WeatherVane would purchase the building in 2016.

06/01/2026

A final reminder about the Menashas High School Alumni Banquet. An invitation to all MHS graduates.

05/31/2026

If your parents bought you a bicycle for Christmas or your birthday between 1938-1999, they were taking on a whole new level of responsibility. One reader's question about bicycle license plates opened a whole can of worms!

In 1938, Menasha, as in many other municipalities, ushered in a series of bike-related resolutions to protect its citizens—to recover stolen bicycles, to identify violators. Rules included procedures for U-turns, left and righthand turns, riding no handed, hauling wagons, and hitching rides on wagons and cars. You were forbidden to ride your bike between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.

In 1959, rules expanded, stating that bikes must have fenders. Crackdowns on unlicensed bikes required the police to monitor schools and parking lots for unlicensed bikes. Fines ranged from $1-$10. A bike could be impounded up to 90 days and, in 1960, the newspaper informed owners of improperly licensed bikes to report to the police station.

In 1968, 11 bikes were reported stolen; in 1998, 100 bikes were stolen, only two unregistered.

When the Menasha police department was trimmed in 1971, stickers were suggested to replace the metal bike plates. At last, Menasha and other municipalities addressed how much time and money had been invested in bike stickers and fees. In 1999, Menasha introduced fee-free bicycle registration.

05/29/2026

This is the Trinity Lutheran Church Band in 1939. It was taken by the Post-Crescent at the Sylvester Eve Party.

Sylvester Eve was a common name for New Years Eve used by the Slavic people, named for Saint Sylvester (Pope Sylvester I), whose feast day is celebrated by the Catholic Church on December 31st. Apparently, the Lutherans went with it, too.

05/28/2026

How did the Menasha “Blue Jays” get their name?

A contest, of course! In 1936, a contest was held to secure a name for the Menasha High School football, basketball and other associated groups. On January 29, 1936 the name “Blue Jays” was adopted.

Mervin “Red” Schneider of 208 ½ Main Street submitted the winning name. Schneider played basketball and was the vice-president of the Freshman Class.

05/26/2026

MENASHA RIBBON CUTTING EVENT ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 27. Come on out and become part of Menasha History!

The City of Menasha will celebrate the dedication of the newly reconstructed Water Street corridor and the grand opening of the new Canal Commons Park (95 Broad St.). The celebration runs from 5 to 7 p.m. with an official dedication ceremony at 5:15 p.m., followed by live music, refreshments, and a guided history.

Previous pre-Canal Commons Canal Walks have been quite popular, as shown in the photographs to the right.

https://fox11online.com/news/local/menasha-opens-new-mile-long-4-million-waterfront-park-canal-commons-water-street-downtown

05/26/2026