Time Machine Trip to September 1955

By Lyle Hansen

September 2, 1955

After more than a month’s closing for the recent polio epidemic in Kaukauna, the city’s two motion picture theaters, the Rialto on Lawe street and the Vaudette on Second street will reopen on Tuesday evening according to both managers. The theaters both closed on July 27 in cooperation with the Kaukauna health department. During this time, they were restricted to persons 17 years or older.

The final prizes and awards for the recent “Fun at Home” recreation program which took place during the siege of polio in the city were distributed by college students who assisted in bringing the fun to the shut-ins during the restrictions. In all there were 6,642 prizes given to youngsters who took part in the month-long program. 

September 7, 1955

If the remaining four months of 1955 continue to be as busy as they have been this year Kaukauna will have 60 or more home building permits issued by the end of the year. 50 permits have been issued to date by the city engineer’s office. 

September 9, 1955

The new building of the Farmers and Merchants Bank has been completed and the bank will have an open house tomorrow from 1 to 6 p.m. Visitors will be able to observe the latest in banking, and all the conveniences that the new bank possesses. The new bank is located at 301 Dodge Street.

Rev. John Scheib, pastor of the Immanuel Evangelical and Reformed church in Kaukauna will mark his twenty-fifth anniversary in Kaukauna. A clergyman who had endeared himself to all his parishioners and has won the respect of people of all faiths during his ministry in Kaukauna will be honored this Sunday by the members of his parish. Rev. Scheib was presented with a new automobile from the members of the congregation.

September 16, 1955

Look Drug stores have a heritage in Kaukauna that goes back to the first drug store here. The original proprietors of the south side business were Kamps and Sackstedter, whose pharmacy was on the southeast corner of Second street and Main avenue. Otto Look, 32 years old moved to Kaukauna in March of 1901 and entered the employment of Dr. Tanner who operated the business. In 1911 Mr. Look purchased the pharmacy from Dr. Tanner under the name Kaukauna Drug company. In 1922 Mr. Look moved the company into the present location of Verfurth Shoe store. A year later he died in 1924. The management of the store fell to his son Arthur. Art Mongin Jr. came to Kaukauna in 1932 as a pharmacist. This began an association of the two Arts. Mongin became a partner in 1948. Two fires in 1937 and in 1944 struck the business but each time they emerged from the ruins. The 1937 fire resulted in their move to the present location on second street. In April 1952 the Looks Drug store expanded to the north side of Kaukauna on Wisconsin avenue. Only eight months later Art Look died suddenly, and Art Mongin took over the management with Mrs. Look.

September 21, 1955

Dick Oudenhoven, Appleton contractor was awarded the general contract for the construction of the new St. John’s High School at Little Chute. The low bid of $416,000 was accepted by the building committee.  

September 23, 1955

The permit for the first new home in the new Glenview Acres subdivision in the southwest corner of Kaukauna was issued on Tuesday.  Wilfred Siebers will erect a new $13,300 ranch-type home on West Thirteen street.

“Highways Are Happy Ways” is a happy melody when traveling under fifty miles an hour. However, when the speedometer registers somewhere between 80 to 90, you’d better change the tune to “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, I’ll Be There”.

A flag was  presented to the Trinity Lutheran school Thursday afternoon by members of Post 41 of the American Legion. Shown left to right Legionnaires Sherman Rogers, Fred Mason, David Specht, Harry Treptow, Art Kromer, Jr., Steve Andreske, Al Martzahl and Frank Busse and school representatives, Fred Bartel, teachers Miss Cynthia Lehman and Miss Elizabeth Buss. 

September 28, 1955

Robert Vanderloop, Sunday afternoon, became the 1955 king of the annual Schut at Hollandtown after he shot down the final portion of the bird on the 746^th shot. He along with 69 other men began “banging away” as the marksmen began shooting at 10:00 in the morning.

September 30, 1955

Five-year-old, Karen Van Elsen barely escaped serious injury Tuesday afternoon when she was struck by an automobile as she was crossing highway 41 near Ducharme street. She was struck by Richard Kimball of Chicago. The driver attempted to avoid the child but hit her with the left rear door. She suffered only minor injuries.

Ken Roloff, of Kaukauna, has been quite a football player in his colorful career at Stevens Point. Now he could be on the threshold of making his biggest contribution. Coach John Roberts switched Roloff, the outstanding end to quarterback this week. 

The unique situation of having eight set of twins enrolled at one time at the Holy Cross school this year. Left to right seated behind each other Jane and Mary Seif, Tom and John Vandehey, Charles and Richard Heindel, Kay and Karl Waters, Delores and Dennis Coffey. Back row Nancy and Mary Schouten, Mary and Margaret Geurtz, Patricia and Thomas Berg.

1955 Chevrolet Corvette