MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Thompson Community Center
PROGRAM SUMMARY
“History of the 100 Blocks of East and West College Avenue Appleton”
CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT TOM SUTTER
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 104
OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Tom Sutter, Christine Williams, James Richter, Mark Moderson, Brian Schneider, Gwen Sargeant,
Linda Muldoon, James Krueger, and Diana Sandberg.
REVIEW OF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS:
November 11 – Appleton Picture Show
December 5 – 11th AHS History Fair, City Center
December – No Regular Monthly Meeting- Merry Christmas
2016 Appleton History Speaker Series
January 13 History of Railroads – Kraig Kasten
February 10 Appleton Police Chiefs – Arnie Nettekoven
March 9 Dairy Queen – Steve Liebziet
April 13 The Surley Surveyor – Rob Nurre
May 11 Fox Valley Symphony – Janet and Tom Sutter
June 8 Hidden Churches – Angie Knutson
July 13 Appleton War Memorials – Alex Schultz
August 10 WHBY – Steve Bell
September 14 Rio Theater and Worlitzer organ – Tom McNeely
October 12 Haunted Appleton – Chad Lewis
November 9 The Appleton Picture Show. Bring your own photos for show and tell!
Special Events
March 5 9-12:30 History Fair at the Indoor Farmer’s Market, City Center Plaza
August 21 2pm - Riverside Cemetery Walk, “Pioneer Appleton Residents”
December 3 9-12:30 History Fair at the Indoor Farmer’s Market, City Center Plaza
APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:
• AHS Officers:
A. President - Thomas Sutter
B. Vice President - Christine Williams
C. Secretary – James Richter
D. Treasurer – Laura Leimer
• AHS Board of Directors:
A. Terms through November 2017:
1. Mark Moderson
2. John Marx
3. Laura Leimer
4. Diana Sandberg
B. Terms through November 2016:
1. Linda Muldoon
2. Jim Krueger
3. Gwen Sargeant
4. Brian Schneider
C. Terms through November 2015:
1. Tom Sutter
2. Christine Williams
3. James Richter
• Committee Chairs for the organization are as follows:
A. Mark and Karen Moderson, Principal Organizers
B. Brian Schneider, Technical Resources
C. David Buss and Diana Sandberg, Research Specialists
D. Gwen Sargeant, Public Relations and Web Page
E. Christine Williams, Monthly Programs
F. Gwen Sargeant, Publications
PRESIDENT SUTTER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A. Greetings extended to members and guests.
B. Introduced Officers and Board Members.
C. Sales of our book Images of America-Appleton continue to go well. Books are available at the registration table.
D. Thanks to Deacon Tony Abts for September’s program “The History of Catholic Schools in Appleton”.
E. Thanks to the Post Crescent for it’s announcement of tonight’s meeting and all of it’s support.
F. Provided a list of upcoming programs and events.
G. Reminded the audience that our November Monthly Meeting will be our annual business meeting. Elections of new board members will be held at that time.
H. The door prize of a Wishing Well Gift Card was won by Ginny Hinkens.
AHS 11th History Fair Planning Continues:
Jim Richter, Co-Chairman, of the AHS History Fair reported that planning continues for our 11th History Fair, which will be held on December 5, 2015. He and Co-Chair Mark Moderson have arranged a wide variety of historical exhibits. The focus of this event will be on “Historic Appleton Public Transportation”. Exhibits will include exhibits on Trains, Buses, Trolley Cars, Taxicabs and Bicycles”.
He urged the audience to contact he or Mark if anyone would like to exhibit or supply items for exhibit on the above mentioned items, as well as other Appleton historical pieces. All were urged to attend the event which has free access.
PROGRAM : “History of the 100 Blocks of East and West College Avenue Appleton”
Presenters: Christine Williams and David Buss
Speakers Background:
Dave Buss was born and raised in Appleton. After high school graduation, he went to FVTC and graduated with an accounting degree. Dave spent 30 years working at AAL (now Thrivent). Dave and his wife Ardyce have two grown sons and three grandchildren. He is retired and works part time for a funeral home and has done so for more than 20 years. He is now retired from the funeral home, but still takes a few calls if needed. Dave has always had an interest in history and AHS provides a way to explain his interest in everything old around Appleton. Dave is a former board member of Appleton Historical Society.
Christine Williams has lived in Appleton since she was 13 years old. She attended Fox Valley Lutheran and graduated from Appleton East in 1985. She obtained a bachelor's degree in business from Lakeland College in Sheboygan. She was in credit management at Anchor Foods, Trek Bicycle and C.A. Lawton Company and left to pursue her dream of becoming a police officer. She was employed by the Town of Menasha Police Department for nine years before becoming medically retired due to an on-duty accident. She is one of the founders of the Appleton Historical Society and serves as its Vice President. Christine is in her first term as an alderman in Appleton. She enjoys history, reading, music and travelling with her husband, Todd. She has a step-son Mitch and 2 grandsons, Landon and Cameron.
The Program:
Christine Williams provided the narration for the program. David Buss was the primary researcher on the content. Fortunately Williams and Buss had plenty of time to prepare for this program because it took months to conduct the extensive research done. They scoured city directories, library records, newspapers, and posed questions on Facebook pages.
As we walk along College Avenue we wonder what businesses were located there. 160 years ago the property was impassible due to stumps and trees, but it was high ground and relatively flat.
In the beginning Appleton was basically the immediate area around Lawrence University, which was formed in 1847. By 1853 the City essentially went from the university on the east and ended at Division Street on the west with only 1,000 people living in it. The downtown was located on the highest land of the area.
As the downtown progressed, the City built 11 foot wide sidewalks downtown to allow to women with their hoop skirts to pass by each other on the walk.
After construction of the first downtown building at 100 E. College Avenue building continued. That first building initially housed the Lavake Hotel and much later became Burger King- and now is currently the El Patron restaurant. The 100 blocks of east and west College Avenue quickly became, and continue to be, the core of Appleton Downtown.
Then a pictorial walk through was done of these two blocks, original tenants and successive ones were described as follows. Tidbits on each were noted.
100 East College – north side
100 E
Lavake Hotel (Appleton’s Oldest Downtown Building)
Various drug stores – 1910 – 1930
Smyrneous Brothers Candy – 1930 – 1935
Diana Sweet Shop – 1935 – 1937
Muir Drug Store – 1938 – 1957 (Their 1938 Advertisement offered Ephedrine ½ Oz $.23)
Grace’s Apparel – 1958-1970s
Burger King
Various restaurants
El Patron
102 E
Frank C. Hyde and Co. Jewelers – 1910 – 1924
Fleschner’s Style Shop – few years
Grace’s Apparel – few years
Empress Hat Shop – 1933 – 1939
Mitz Hats – 9 years
French Slipper Shops – 9 years
Grace’s Apparel Shop – 1955-1970
Razed July, 1985 for Avenue Mall
104 E
Woelz & Bros
Bellings Drug Store 1915-1920s
Kinney Shoe Store – 1930 –
Razed July, 1985
106 E
Matt Schmidt and Son – 1910 – 1941
Porter’s – 1941 – 1957
Trade Home Shoes – 1957-
Razed July, 1985
108/110 E
F.W. Woolworth’s 1910-1970
Nobil Shoe Store
Razed July, 1985
112 E
Wisconsin Michigan Power Co. – 1910- 1953
F.W. Woolworth – 1953-
Razed July, 1985
114 E
The Nile Co. 1910 – 1911
The Princess Confectionery
Burt’s Candy Store
Spanish Casa Restaurant
Mueller Tea Room
Diana Tea Room
Prokash Restaurant
Wisconsin Telephone Company
Razed July, 1985
116 E
Majestic Theatre – 1910- 1920s
R & J Shoe Store - to 1930
Big Shoe Store – 1933 – 1964
Schiff Shoes – 1964 –
Razed 1968 for Gimbels to Morrison Street.
118 E
Ornstein Cloak and Suit
Fusfield’s Women’s Wear
Brooks Apparel Shop
Maurice’s Ladies Apparel
Razed 1968
120 – 124 E
Geenen’s Dry Goods (operated from 1898 to 1966. Was started by three sisters in1896. It
was a place where one bought winter coats, linens, and bath towels. They had wires all
over the store carrying little metal boxes with your money and change to and from the
sales counters on the first floor to the central cashier up on the balcony.)
Razed 1968
Gimbels
Avenue Mall
128 E
Thede Good Shoes
Breitenbach Shoes
Razed 1968
130 E
Schommer and Sons Undertakers
Palace of Sweets
LaVilla Restaurant
Factory Outlet Shoe Store
Appleton Optomotrists
Razed 1968
132 E
E. W. Shannon
Mrs. Anna Kiss Ladies Apparel
Stevenson’s Women’s Wear
Irene Shop Women’s Wear
Polly Froeks
Lory’s Bridal and Formal Salon
Razed 1968
134 E
Manufacturer’s National Bank built in 1868. (Basement held Appleton Post Crescent,
and a few years later the 2nd Floor was City Hall)
Voight Drug Store
Razed 1968
100 West College - North Side
100 W
Citizen National Bank – 1910 – 1932
Montgomery Ward and Company – 1932 – 1970
Campbell’s
Razed July, 1985 for Avenue Mall
106 W
Petersen and Rehbein Meats - 1910 – 1966
Evenson Hallmark/Fanny Farmer – 1966 –
Razed July, 1985
108 W
P.M. Conkey – 10 years (Mary Ellen Ducklow’s father owned Conkey’s. In her book she writes
that he used to rent books out at a rate of 10 cents for 3 days.)
Hughes Clothing until 1930
WM Petersen Clothing – couple years
Miller Dress Shop – 18 years
Barker’s Shoe Shop – 1960s -
Razed July, 1985
110 W
Hawkinson-Uckermann Grocery 10 years
Gmeiner’s Restaurant (Known for it’s sasparilla.)
S.S. Kresge Co., - 1925-
Razed July, 1985
114 W
K.F. Keller and Sons Jewelers – 10 years
Schlintz Bros Co. Drugs – 10 years
Beverly’s Women’s Wear – 10 years
Spiegel’s – 4 years
Razed July, 1985
116 W
L.E. Sugarmann Clothing – 10 years
Meyer – Seeger Music – 65 years
Razed July, 1985
118 W
Schweitzer and Langenberg Shoes – 22 years
Ford Hopkins – 20 years
Razed July, 1985
120 W
Ritger and Gamsky Saloon – few years
Downer Drugs – 6 years
Walkover Shoe Store – 3 years
Miller Jones Shoe Co. – 1 year
Lane’s Smart Shoes – 5 years
H.C. Prange’s – 1947 –
122-126 W
Pettibone-Peabody Department Store – 35 years. (Pettibone’s started in 1860 in
Fond du Lac and Portage. Shortly thereafter they arrived in Appleton as a little Country
Store in a two story building with a lot only 27 feet wide and 120 feet deep. More land
was acquired and eventually became a 4 story building. In 1897 George Peabody be-
came the owner. H.C. Prange Co. purchased the business in 1945.)
Prange’s 1947-
City Hall 1994
Children’s Museum
West Business
100 East College Avenue – South Side
101 E
Kamps and Sacksteder Drugs
Downers Pharmacy 1920
Jewelry Stores – 1920 – 1970
Fischer’s Jewelry
Goodman’s Jewelers – over 20 years until 1955
Sam Belinke – 1955 - 1970
Midtowne Market
Starbucks
Bagelicious
103-105 E
Saecker and Diderrich Funeral Home - yrs
Sears Roebuck – mid 30s to 1950
Leath Furniture 1950 – 1970
Peppermill Restaurant
Numerous law offices and hair salons
What’s in there now?
107 E
Men’s clothing 1910 – 1970
Behnke & Jenss Clothing 15 years
Jenss Clothing 1930-1970
Kalso Earth Shoe
Footworks
Aspen Coffee
Brewed Awakenings
109 E
Mueller and Zuehlke Saloon – 10 years
Kamp’s Restaurant
Mi Gals Beauty Salon – 2 years
Downtown Spa – 20 years
Apparel Arts – 10 years
Makaroff School of Ballet
Toppers
111 E
Vogel and Schlichter
J. Gerrits Wholesale Liquor – 1915 – 1943
Palm Grove Tavern – 1943-1957
Pechman Studio – 1957-1970
M.C. Kinney Photography
113 E
People’s Clothing
Wonder Clothes – 14 years
The Paint Shop – 4 years
Friendly Finance – 5 years
Northern Credit – 10 years
Petite Place
Hardly Ever
Vagabond Imports
115 E
John Van Roy Saloon – 2 years
Kemps and Stoffels Phonographs – 2 years
Kamps Jewelry – 1920-1935
Eugene Wald Jeweler and Optometrist 1935-1956
Ellenbecker Furniture – 4 years
Fashion Shop – 19 years
Joe Bowers Golf Academy
Absolutely Yours Interiors
Lillian’s
117 E
Carroll’s Buffett – 2 years
Schreffler’s Quality Shop Suites – 5 years
Burton & Dawson Ladies Wear – 4 years
Dawson Style Shop Ladies – 4 years
Geniesse Co. Women’s Wear 1929-1935
Fashion Shop – 1935-1970
Mar-gees Fashion and Bridal
Vintage Garden
119 E
Heckert Shoes 1910-1970
Shahnin’s Oriental Rugs
Vintage Garden
121 E
Harry Stutz Billiards – couple years
Farreand and Banderfeind Clothing – 5 years
Congress Café – 1933 – 1941
Mueller Restaurant – 1944-1952
Kipps Restaurant – 10 years
Damrow’s Restaurant – 1964-1970
Impact PC
Hey Daisy
123 E
Ann L. Kiss Ladies Apparel
Edward Schueler Clothing
Sam Goldberg Clothing
Johnson’s Shoe Rebuilders
Color Unlimited
Pope Paint Co.
Mautz Paint
Heckert Shoes
Eco Candle
125 E
Langstadt Meyer Electric Co.
Diderrich Furniture
Hobby House
Bowlby Candy
Jo’s Sweet Shoppe
Helen’s Sweet Shop
Ellenbecker Furniture
Guyette’s
Polly’s Café/Sirrocco’sRestaurant/CenaRestaurant
127 E
James Mckenny Tailor
Spiegel Catalog
Smart Beauty Shop
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Blair and Co.
Mole Hole
Wire Whisk
Rug Company
129 E
W.H. Wharton
Woelz Bros. Paper Dealer
Congress Café
Behnke’s Clothing
Hardt’s Men Wear
Iron Rail
Branching Out
Just Act Natural
131 E
American Railway Express Co.
Goodman’s Jewelers
Jan-Ell Hat Shop
Razed – unknown date
133 E
M & N Erling
College Inn Restaurant
Pond Sport Shop 1934-1970
Moda Salon
Aveda Salon
135 E
John E. Voigt Drugs 1910-1923
Gmeiner’s Confectioners – 1923-1937
Economy Boys Assoc. Stores 1937-1953
Krautkramer Howe and Sporting 1953-1963
Pittsburgh Plate Glass – 1964-1970
Great Midwest Savings and Loan
J. Kippa Law Office
100 West College – south side
103 W
Benoit Drug Store and a Feed Store (Were in the first building on site, a two story. A third
level was added in the 1850’s and the building became known as the Masonic Temple. This building was destroyed by fire in 1875 and the lot stood empty for five years. In 1880 a three
story structure was built which housed a bank, hardware store, offices and the Masonic
Temple Rooms.)
Commercial National Bank
Zuelke Music Store (In 1926 Irving Zuelke, a banker and a musician, bought the building and remodeled it. However, the building was destroyed by fire in January, 1928, resulting in a
complete loss of not only that building, but the Continental Clothing Company building next
door. Loss figures for Zuelke was $150,000, Continental at $75,000.)
Zuelke Building (1929 Zuelke began construction of the first seven floors of the present building. In May In order to accommodate a growing downtown, an additional 5 floors were added in 1953, and now with 12 floors total is Appleton’s first skyscraper. Fortunately they were able to acquire the exterior limestone for the addition from the same supplier. Because limestone darkens with age, the first 7 floors were cleaned with a wire brush, and sealed with a Bondsall Stone plastic to protect it. The Many people today still remember the elevator operators who operated the ornate elevators with opera scenes.)
107-109 W Olympia Building
Retson and Katsoulas Cigars (The Chip Retson family along with another Greek family to ownership in 1919. Originally had a pool hall and bowling on the first floor, a tavern in the
Basement, and the 2nd and 3rd floors rented out to businesses.)
Retson and Jimos Hats/Carolyn’s Hat Shop
Rose Shop
The Shoe Box
The Shack (Operated by the Retson’s was a popular beer bar in the building basement, and there was a restaurant upstairs. In 1965 a fryer caused a fire and burned down the building. Rebuilt to as it stands today.)
Tom’s Drive In
Casa Mexico
Partner’s/Bazil’s/Firefly/No Idea Bar
111/113 W
Appleton House
Claude Snider Restaurant
Brettschneider Furniture
Appleton Art Center/Trout Museum
115/119 W
Schlafer Hardware
Pier One Imports
JoAnn Fabrics
Razed January, 1985 for Houdini Plaza
121 W
Lyons Brothers
P.M. Conkey Stationaries
Gloria K Uniform
Razed January, 1985
123 W
A.G. Myse Saloon
Arnold Myse Soft Drinks
Rechner Soft Drinks
Gil’s Taven
Tornow’s Tavern
Matt Schmidt & Son
Brauer Clothing
Babb’s Menswear
Razed January, 1985
125 W
Brettschneider Furniture
L.E. Sugerman Clothing
United Cloak & Suit
Jay-Jay’s Cards and Gifts
Mann Card & Gift Shop
Marion’s Gifts & Cards
Scanlan’s Jewelers
Razed January, 1985
127 W
J. Rossmeissel Shoes
Jordan’s Clothing
Linpark Clothing
Perry Enest Men’s Wear
Mr. Roy’s Bridal
Razed 1985
OF SPECIAL NOTE:
The Program: Among the pictures and locations shown previously were some unusual sites:
(1) The site where Daniel Huntley’s first school was located in 1851.
(2) Tri-level Italiante design, the C.G. Adkins building was a skyscraper in 1857.
Structure was built of stone quarried in the Town of Dale. The top floor was for
Meeting halls. Here in April 1861 was made the announcement about Fort
Sumnter and some 150 prominent Appletonians gathered. The building continued
the pattern typical of the Avenue –stores below and offices above. It also contained
a business college in the 1890’s.
DOWNTOWN APPLETON NOT WITHOUT DRAMA:
The Avenue Mall created on the north side of the 100 East and West Blocks of College
Avenue created a crisis in the Downtown, but has evolved into an extremely successful
Business Center:
(1) The Avenue Mall began as a 2 block, 3 story enclosed commercial complex.
(2) The initial announcement of the Mall was made on February 1, 1984. Strong backing was received by long-time Mayor Dorothy Johnson.
(3) It was proposed as 110,000 square feet, $16.4 Million redevelopment project.
(4) John Barlow of Azco was the leading mover and shaker behind the project.
(5) Also heavily involved was John Pfefferle and Steve Winter, real estate executives.
(6) The former Prange’s and Gimbel’s store were used as west and east anchors.
(7) 21 business were dislocated by the demolition.
(8) Groundbreaking took place in November 1985.
(9) Required closing of Oneida Street, as the Mall was built over the top of it. This
was very controversial and made a hodge podge of one way streets.
(10)Grand opening took place March 1987.
(11)Some of the stores in the Mall at time of opening: The Limited, Casual Corner,
Fast Wok, Grand American Café, Valley Bank, Osterman’s Jewelers, Mole Hole,
Learning Shop, Earth Resources.
(12)Businesses to be added shortly opening included: Grant Thornton, Weidert
Group, Wire Whisk, and Joseph’s Shoes.
(13)In the early 1990’s the Mall defaulted on their loans, and went into receivership.
(14)After many business departures, Pfefferle/Evans took over control.
(15)Today City Center East(Gimbels) is 80% full, City Center West (Pranges) is 99%,
and the middle section is 75%.
James L. Richter, AHS Secretary
October 30, 2015