Winneconne Public Library

Oshkosh, preserving the past, Ron La Point

eng

contains biographical information

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

Oshkosh

793730311

Ron La Point

preserving the past

It was my intention in this book to capture an older Oshkosh from those who lived it and from a few who, in their own artistic ways, are trying to retrieve it. It's a storybook journey of an Oshkosh of horse-drawn and electric streetcars, a city of unparalleled in women's fineries, and one that saw its future in aviation. You will travel through the topsy-turvy years of the Great Depression and of the war years that follow, and read the captivating story of an Oshkosh soldier whose experiences during that first year of the Korean War is a poignant reminder of who we are and what war is really like. You will read of businesses that once were and of some that still are; of people whose gifts and contributions to the city speak volumes in their behalf, and stories of sport teams and players that turn back the clock. You will run across such luminaries as William Waters, Carl Laemmle, Charles Lindbergh, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Roger Maris, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Gene Kelly, Houdini, Al Capone, George Bush, Bill Proxmire, Lawrence Welk, Guy Lombardo, "Minnesota Fats," and a few others whose names might bring back memories of your own. Each of these public figures, indirectly at least, have become part of this city's history

Introduction -- Persons interviewed -- Clarence "Inky" Jungwirth : the Bloody 6th ward historian -- Dan Radig : artist and local historian -- Julie Johnson : the tunnel lady -- John Zitzelberger : Korean War memories -- Stein's : one of a kind -- Eweco Park : the Coney Island of Oshkosh -- Gibson Motors : a once proud Main Street business -- Lennon Brothers : Oshkosh's largest locally-owned grocer -- Winnebago County Airport : the early days -- Winnebagoland Baseball League : a Sunday afternoon outing -- Howie Koplitz : a Major League alumni -- Mike Putzer and the Recreation Lanes -- Green Wagner : Number 1 Packer fan -- Otter Street Fishing Club : friends helping friends -- Larry Swanson : basketball and business extraordinaire -- The Magnet Bar : an Oshkosh institution -- Steinert Brothers : boy printers -- Jerry's Bar : the oldest saloon in town -- The Waters : an elegant reminder of the past -- Oak's Candy : Oshkosh's treasure -- Kitz & Pfeil : celebrating it's 100th anniversary -- Richard Verhoeven : the dance master -- Bob Jungwirth : the essential South Sider -- Reader comments on the books: Oshkosh : a south sider remembers and Oshkosh : the way we were