The Fox River Valley had been the home of several Indian tribes, most notably
the Menominee. In 1836, the U.S. government made a treaty with the Menominee by
which the territory ceased to be a reservation, and instead became government
land. Soon thereafter, the government put this land up for sale and the white
man began moving into the area. Dams were built across the Fox River to harness
the water power. In 1848, Menasha was given its name, an Indian word meaning
"island".
Around this time, the settlement of Neenah was also beginning to grow just
to the south of Menasha. It was determined that a canal would need to be built
to allow shipping from Lake Winnebago up the Fox River. The two communities
fought over where the canal would be built, with Menasha eventually winning.
This was the beginning of a rivalry between the two communities which lasts to
this day.
Menasha 1870 - Main St at Tayco
On July 5, 1853, the Village of Menasha was incorporated by an Act of the
Legislature. The community grew rapidly. The area was a natural location for
paper and wood production, thanks to nearby forests and the Fox River to
transport lumber. Consequently, paper mills sprang up throughout the area. At
the time of incorporation, Menasha already had 13 factories in operation. Flour
mills were also popular during this time. By 1857, the population of Menasha
surpassed 2000, and in 1862, the city was granted a station on the Chicago, St.
Paul, and Fond du Lac railroad line. This, in turn, further fueled population
and manufacturing growth.
left: George A. Whiting Paper Mill 1880
right: main square Menasha - 1888
By 1898, the population of Menasha reached 7,000. In the city's 30 factories
2,500 persons were employed, 1,600 of those were engaged in the manufacture of
wooden ware. The largest factories at this time were: the Gilbert Paper Co., the
George A. Whiting Paper Co., the Menasha Wood Split Pulley Co., the George Banta
Publishing Co., the Menasha Wooden Ware Co., and the Walter Bros. Brewing Co.
Today, with a population over 16,000, the city of Menasha remains a major paper
producing area.
left: River Street approx 1890
right: Main Street looking west - 1910
left: Menasha Wooden Ware factory approx 1927
right: bird's eye view of Menasha - 1955