THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

December 13, 1990

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            It was the morning of December 3 when I gazed out of the windows at the first major snowstorm of the season to strike the area, and as I gazed at the drifting snow outside, it brought back memories of how the methods and cost of snow removal have changed in the last 50 years.

            Back then you could purchase a good snow shovel for under $5, but now we think that we have to have a new powerful snow blower that costs upwards to $500 and more, depending upon the make, model and size of the machine.

            I thought that it would be interesting to go back nearly 90 years and see what the prices were then.  In fact, the following prices were taken from the 902 Waupaca Post.

            Waupaca Starch and Potato Company was selling Pillsbury Best, Ceresota, Superletive, Gold Mine and Gold Crown Flour for $3.75 per barrel.

            Peter Holst Grocery Store, that was located on North Main Street opposite the old City Hall, had these to offer:  Oat Meal at 3-1/2¢ per lb., Fancy white clover honey at 15¢ per lb., Imported Spanish olives 38¢ a qt.  Butter and eggs bought for cash at the highest prices.

            The Fair Store listed children’s black woolen mittens an 8¢ value for 2¢; fine India linen, a 9¢ value for 5¢; men’s hemstitched handkerchiefs, a 10¢ value for 4¢; stocking caps, a 25¢ value for 10¢;  27-inch length ladies’ jackets worth $6 now going for $2.48.

            Churchill’s Shoe Store, located on East Union Street, opposite the jail:  men’s tan shoes were $3.50, now $1.97; ladies tan shoes were $2.50, now $1.47; lumberman’s rubbers, selling 88¢ to $1 per pair.

            Sam P. Godfrey Machinery, located on East Union Street:  new buggies, runabouts, tops and open buggies and surreys, selling from $35 to $150.

            E, C, Williams Hardware Store, located at 103 North Main Street (this is the present location of the Market Place): 1 large 6-hole steel range $39; 1 large 6-hole Sunshine steel range $32, and 1 large 6-hole cast iron range for $32.

            George H. James Furniture Store, located on the second floor over the Union Dry Goods Store, had for sale three-piece oak chamber suites ranging from $12.75 to $18.75 and McLean swing rockers at $3.90.

            Hoffmann’s, eight day clocks, $2.50 to $4.

            Laabs Bros., fancy table syrup 20¢ a gal.; maple syrup $1.08 to $1.35 per gal.; tea 30¢ per lb., down to 24¢; 22 lbs. of prunes for $1; Reg. 5 gal oil can filled up with oil, regular price was $1.68, now $1.50.

            Alfred R. Lea, men’s clothing: men’s suits $5 to $20; men’s overcoats $5 to $20; boys’ suits $1.50 to $10; fancy and white dress shirts from 50¢ to $1.50; collars 15¢ and cuffs 25¢, umbrellas in serge and silk tops and steel rods, with natural or silver trimmed handles at 50¢ to $5.

            Now let’s move on to the 1930’s, just coming out of the Great Depression years.

            Pioneer Hardware Store, 103 N. Main, Atwater Kent radio for $39.90; electric toaster completed with cord for 95¢, other models at $2.85; Nester Johnson tubular ice skates at $4.85 and alarm clocks 98¢ and up.

            A & P Grocery Store:  Eight O’Clock coffee, 3 lb.s for 55¢; brown sugar, 3 lbs. for 17¢; P & G soap, 10 giant bars 39¢; 10 Texas seedless grapefruit 29¢ and peanut butter, 2 lb. Jar 25¢.

            Louse Mary Shoppe, E. Union, panties all sizes, lace trimmed or plain $1; slips that everyone loves $1.50 and Beldings ringless hose in gift boxes $1.

            Mendelson & Solie, Main Street in the post office block:  ladies’ silk dresses $1.98 to $2.98; men’s union suits heavyweight $1 and boys’ mackinaws all-wool blazers $1.50.

            Haebigs Clothing:  Portes and Mallory fall hats $2.50 to $4; belted back suits and free swing models $18.50 to $21, and 14-oz. Worsteds $23.50.

            Gambles Hardware, 117 N. Main:  tire prices, 30x3-1/2 $3.45, 4.40x21 $4.26 and 4.50x20 at $4.45.

            Waupaca Candy Kitchen:  5 lb. Box of chocolates 80¢; 5 lb. Box of finest assorted chocolates $1.35, and hard candies at 15¢ per lb.

            This would not be complete without the mention of the cost of having a baby.  In 1943 Dr. A.M. Christofferson drove to our place at Blaine and he delivered our twins, Gary and Jerry, on the dining room table, and he made a trip back the next day to see how the boys were coming.  The bill was only $25.

            These cheap prices were not what they seemed to be.  You were lucky to be getting $1 for a 10-hour day of hard labor, with no coffee breaks.

           

            In the mid-1940s I was still farming, battling the rocks and low farm prices, running out of money, patience and cuss words.  I figured that there was a better way to make a living and I found it.