1920: The Year the Marathon County Fair was Canceled
In April 1920, the Marathon County Agricultural Society made a surprising announcement: the 52nd annual Marathon County Fair was to be canceled.
W.A. Edward’s Remedy Wagon
A recent donation hints at an unusual moment in Marathon County history in the story of William A. Edwards' remedy wagon.
The Socialist Chef of Wausau
This February marks the 100th anniversary of the election of Wausau chef and restaurateur, Herman A. Marth to the Wisconsin Assembly. His election was a surprise that few saw coming, because Marth won the election on the Socialist Party ticket.
The Opera House Fire of 1892
On a frigid morning in January 1892, Wausau’s Opera House—and a large portion of the block—was lost to a fire. Wausau had endured fires that were more costly in both property and human lives lost, but the loss of the Opera House was a polarizing event that would lead to the professionalization of the fire department and tough questions for the management of the city.
“The March King” Visits Wausau
Ninety years ago, Wausau was host to a concert by John Philip Sousa. The “March King” was partially though his 35th annual tour, and stopped in Wausau for about 12 hours between November 4th and 5th, 1927.
Darrell Holubetz and the Brokaw Ski Jump
On a brisk afternoon in 1948, Darrell Holubetz began his slide down the ski jump off Stark Street. After speeding down the ramp, he launched into the air and struck a practiced pose to keep himself upright as he flew. After several exhilarating seconds in the air, he straightened out and stuck a landing for a 47 foot jump.
Ski Jumping in Marathon County
In 1926, the building of a ski jump in Rothshild led to a large interst in ski jumping across the greater Wausua area. Over the next decade, more ski jumps were built and thousands of spectators were thrilled to see these young men launch themselves into their on wooden skis.
Two Men and a Dog
A misplaced photograph of two men and their dog speaks to the brief career of an early Marathon County photographer.
The Famous Face of Bill Hayes
Wausau native Bill Hayes was part of a truly historic moment during World War II.
A Seasonal Buyer’s Guide from 1949
An seasonal example of A.C. Langlois' buyer's guide, the Wisconsin Valley News from December 6, 1949.
Rereading the Local Headlines from Pearl Harbor
On the 75th Anniversary of the suprise attack at Pearl Harbor, which was the start of direct American involvement in World War Two, we revisit the edition of the Wausau Daily Record Herald from December 7th, 1941.
“The Greatest Occasion in the History of Wausau” 1928
The story of the first visit by a sitting U.S. President to Marathon County: dubbed "the greatest occasion in the history of Wausau"
Football-Watching Tips from Employers’ Mutual
In 1951, Employers' Mutual of Wausau (later Wausau Insurance) published a small, 32-page booklet by Irwin Rickel, who gave tips on how to watch the sport of football. In the forward, the then head coach of UCLA, Henry "Red" Sanders, stated that it was "the best football booklet of its kind I have ever seen both from a standpoint of authenticity and in its manner of presentation."
Safety Education from Employer’s Mutual
The Employers Mutual Liability Company of Wausau (Wausau Insurance) published A Guide Book in Safety Education by G. W. Bannerman in 1937.
The Neillsville Trolley (and other photographic feats of James Colby)
In the early years of the 20th Century, Wausau photographer James M. Colby was experimenting with some interesting techniques in developing photographs, including changing the landscapes of Central Wisconsin towns.