German Pictures of WWI

 Someone from Fond du Lac must have had a connection, because I recently came across some fascinating (but damaged) pictures of German soldiers and their elaborate trenches, from World War I.

[lesson #1 -  a piece of tissue paper between the pages, would have kept the image or glue from the opposite page from sticking to the facing page.

Lesson #2 - if the pictures are totally glued to the scrapbook page (not just the corners) do not try to remove the picture.

Lesson #3 - keep scrapbooks in a dry place. Moisture will cause pages to stick together.]

Photos of Clergy and Religious

While re-cataloging the photos in the Thornton Library, I came across an album that had several images of priests and nuns. The album belonged to/was donated by Helen Duritas, but no further information is available on its origins.

These are all 'carte de visite' cards, introduced in the 1850's but their peak popularity was in the 1860's and into the 1870's.  Carte de visite cards faded in popularity because of their size (the size of a playing card) when larger 'Cabinet Cards' were introduced.

Most of these images were taken in Fond du Lac, but there are no names to go with the images.

Recognize any of these pictures?

Photo taken at the studio of J.W. Dillon, Fond du Lac. [Dillon in business from 1860 to 1904]

Photo taken in studio of J. W. Dillon

Photo taken at O. E. Wilkin's Gallery in Fond du Lac.  [Wilkins in business from 1868-1876]

Photo taken at the studio of J.W. Dillon, Fond du Lac.

This photo taken at McNamara Studio, Brooklyn, E.D. [E.D. is probably Eastern District]

Photo taken by C.R. Smith, Photographic Artist, 420 Third Ave (Old No. 386) Between 29th and 30th Sts., New York.  Colorizing the photo was very rare.

Photo taken at the studio of R.A. Spink, Fond du Lac, WI.  [Spink is only listed in the 1872-73 city directory]

 

Convent of the Holy Nativity

The convent of the Holy Nativity may have been destroyed by fire, but these photographs taken in 1999, show a beautiful structure that once existed in our community.  Thank you to Maria Townsend, for donating these photos to the Historical Society.

Inside the Amory St. Entrance

Windows in the Bishop's library.

Sr. Margaretta in the library. Painted faux marble fireplace not visible. Bishop's library beyond.

 

Former Chapel - note statuary & design similar to St. Paul's Cathedral.

Former Convent of the Holy Nativity Chapel has now been deconsecrated & dismantled. Statuary and elements outlined have been removed, revealing bare plaster & subfloor. Altar and some pews remain.

First floor common room. Note fireplace & light fixtures.

Large dining room off of kitchen.

Former convent of the Holy Nativity, East Side.  Porches above carport each have a brick fireplace. Water tower contains 3 large tanks.

Commercial grade kitchen in basement.

Bookshelves & fixtures of both libraries remain in place. This view faces toward the library.

Lending library: Note brick fireplace.

Mother Maria's office (picture 1)

Mother Maria's office (picture 2). Note combination gas & electric wrought iron light fixtures, wood floor and mouldings, transom above door to hallway.

Former Convent of the Holy Nativity (view from Amory St. west side of building) ca. 1904

Sitting room in Amory Mansion/Bishop's residence, features inlaid floors & marble fireplace.

Statues in Alcoves such as this have been removed.

Window facing Amory St. from the Bishop's library (west wing).

Summer baking kitchen.

 

Fond du Lac - Old Views from the Air

 Found some aerial views of downtown Fond du Lac from a few years ago, and these bring back a few memories.

Old Water Tower is in the forefront, and the old courthouse is in the distance.Rosalind Apartment building is easily identified on the left-center.

The old courthouse is in the lower right corner. The new Reporter building, new National Exchange Bank building  and post office as well as the Kohls Grocery store can be spoted along the river.

The street bisecting the picture is Western Ave. with the safety building on the right edge of the picture.

Pageant?

 Several times in the history of the city, Fond du lac residents have put on pageants to celebrate and tell the story of the founding of the city. This appears to be for some such event, but the photo is not labeled, so it is difficult to tell what the occasion is here.

The sign on the wall is titled "Grand Lodge" so I suspect that this photo was taken at the Elks.

If you know or recognize anyone in this picture, please comment or let me know.  It would be greatly appreciated.

Spanish-American War Veterans Reunion

 In 1920, the Spanish-American War veterans held a reunion in Fond du Lac.  This photo was taken to commemorate that event, and lists the Fond du Lac veterans who are somewhere in the picture.  They are Bruno A. Berghandler, Sturley D. Boreham, Ralph E. Canniff, Ernest Keilberg, William J. Kibler, Samuel H. Longdin, John C. McCullough, Axel Larson and Frank H. Markow.

If you know where any of the Fond du Lac men are in this picture, please comment.  One of the men is my own grandfather, (Bruno Berghandler) and Ernest Keilberg is his cousin, and I can't find them in the picture.  (I never knew my grandfather).

1919-1920 Boyle Theatre Program

This is a Program from the Henry Boyle Theatre.