Time Machine Trip to August 1953

 

Kaukauna Times – August 1953

By Lyle Hansen

August 5, 1953

The summer circus by a group of children from White City area earned $10.60 for the Kaukauna Community hospital fund. Front row Barbars Otte, Sandra Schmalz, Margaret Geurtz, Mr. Jennings. Second row, Barbara Bootz, Alice Main, Mary Geurtz and Mrs. Loyal Schmalz. Top row, Lee Jacques, Tom Otte and Ted Schmalz.

The Kaukauna Fire Department experienced a cool July from the standpoint of the number of fires reported during the month. In the 31-day period a total of four fires were reported, none of which resulted in a great deal of damage.

About 32 years ago, Ruchard Bohm bought a home at 601 Gertrude Street. Recently, while tearing out some wallboard to remodel the kitchen of his home he unearthed an old fashion pencil box. The name on the box was that of Peter Bergman whose family had once lived in the home. The date on the box was 1892 and Outagamie County. The box has since been returned to its owner. 

August 12, 1953

The Kaukauna Hotel is coming down. The wrecking work is being done by Henry Kuhn Salvage Contactor of Little Chute. The building burnt twice in recent years: once on November 3, 1951, and again in 1952 a fire in the basement finished off the structure. The entire razing job should be completed by between the middle of October and the first of November.

August 14, 1953

Leland Paul Freier, 21, son of Mr. Mrs. Norman Freier, Draper Street Kaukauna, died as result of an automobile accident while serving in the Navy at Norfolk, Va., according to a telegram received by his parents from the Navy department. 

 

August 19, 1953

A parade on wheels by the youngsters at Strassburg Park occurred last Friday afternoon. Shown with their colorful creations are Lorraine Delfosse and Pat Brautigan (foreground) Mike Brautigan, Susan Biese, and Donny Biese (behind them) Bonnie Steffens, Ray Hardtke, Joan Delfosse, and Sharon Steffens. Third row Tim Hardtke, Christy DeBruin, Art DeBruin, Judy Meulemans, Marilyn Hilgenberg, and Billy Schiefelbein in the back row. 

Plans are now well underway for the installation of a stop and go light at the intersection of Lawe Street and Wisconsin Avenue, according to Mayor Joseph Bayorgeon.

Little Chute – Sister Mary Annette has recently been appointed principal of St. John’s school in Little Chute.

August 28, 1953

All of the seven piers and both approaches to the new Little Chute-Kimberly Bridge are now complete and the super structure should be started soon. The bridge will cost close to a million dollars and will span 1,047 feet. The construction began last fall, and the first pier was poured on January 13.

Eugene DeGroot, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis DeGroot Arthur Street, received four medals and a cash award in three twirling contests over the weekend. Eugene competed at the Fireman’s Convention at Crystal Falls, Mich. 

Two members of the Kaukauna Junior American Legion Baseball nine, Jack Coenen and Joe Van Linn, have been named to the Fox Valley All-Star team. Coenen is a husky third baser who packs plenty of power behind the plate. Van Linn is perhaps one of the finest pitchers in the league.

Mark Kilgas lost his 1941 model auto in a fire which started as his car was being towed from Green Bay to Kaukauna by his brother Richard on Monday morning. Kilgas, himself a fireman, call the Kaukauna Department to the scene however there was little that could be salvaged at the scene.   

The receipts of $100 from the recent Kiddie Carnival were turned over to the Kaukauna Community Hospital fund. Noel Diffatte, Mary McGrath, Mary Verhagen, Leo Merlo, Patsy Wettstein, supervisor Pat Arnoldussen, Jim Wolf, supervisor Betty Wettstein, Marilyn Weyers and partially hidden, supervisor Mary Appleton.

While on vacation in Door County last week, James Gustman, Kaukauna, captured the annual Peninsula State Park golf championship and was presented with a handsome trophy.