Laughing Waters | On the River Bank Mystery Cache
Laughing Waters | On the River Bank
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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CACHE IS NOT AT THE ABOVE COORDINATES
Final cache is at N44°AB.CDE W88°FG.HIJ
Money in the Bank
Unfortunately for Menasha, one of it's most unique buildings has been lost to progress. In its place is being constructed a monolithic and gargantuan lego block structure that will one day surely go to the same historical gave of antiquities, only no one will raise a hand to save that one.
I've updated the cache picture since you no longer have the physical structure to reference. Of interest and historical significance were the massive elements out front. Not that these aren't common elsewhere, but this particular set happened to be the largest of its kind still remaining in Wisconsin, quarried from of a single piece of stone. They were carted here, cross-country, from Bedford, Indiana by horse and wagon! Imagine having to bankroll that project. These columns were saved by the Menasha Historical Society which is vetting ideas for their repurposing within the boundaries of the city.
This place had gone by many names in the past. It served in its original capacity for many years but was actually built in F stages. The first opened in 188J(+4) and the second in 191G. It was originally only a one story building and had an impressive vaulted ceiling adorned with solid stain glass panels in the ceiling. Then, along about 1967, a second floor was added for office space and it became a place for locals to gather and officiate. It served in that capacity for a score until they decided to locate somewhere else, CDE(x9) years after the building first opened its doors.
It sat vacant for a time until it was opened up for some more entrepreneurial types at which point it changed it's modus operandi to an entirely different commercial entity. The first of these ventures, opening under a suitable pseudonym, served the community well for H(+4) years, but failed due to lack of parking. For a brief period, just AB months (+1), it housed some Germans who made great schnitzel and later it was re-opened under another pseudonym which is rather upscale-ish venture. I I there before its doors closed, and it's offerings were quite good.
In 2014, the never-ending effort to find new purpose for this old structure finally lead to its demise. With no buyers willing to invest substantial sums to preserve and protect this iconic structure, local monied interest that prefer new buildings over old, won out and it was demolished.
MENASHA: Named after the Indian word Menashay meaning “settlement on the island,” along with its sister city Neenah meaning “clear water” they are collectively also taken to mean "Laughing Waters" for the sounds that emanated from the twin falls on either side of the island.
This series will not only introduce you to the city of Menasha, but also give you some significant historical knowledge about this town which many drive through just to get from the north side of the Valley to the south. So, the next time you pass through town, you might want to take a little time to look around and appreciate its many unique offerings and establishments.
A huge thanks to Alderman Taylor for providing even deeper historical insight and information than I was able to obtain. It is our hope that after doing the series you will be inclined to stop for a bit the next time you drive through town and appreciate what a unique little community it has been and continues to be by re-inventing itself.
UPDATE: 12.1.15 Updated listing to reflect the passing of this incredible building. I was fortune the enough to have been able to visit is several times during demolition and salvage some architectural elements for posterity.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)