Buying Xmas gifts with local connections can make a fun holiday. These items from a local consignment shop include bottles from two out-of-business dairies and two books of historical interest.
Yes, you could buy your father-in-law a sweater, or a pair of slippers.
I'm sure he'd say "thank you" and then put your gift back in the box and never think about it again.
Wouldn't he rather have a plat map of Fulton Township, showing the farm where his grandfather lived? Or a 1942 Army-Navy production award given to the Oldsmobile plant in Janesville, where his father worked before joining the army?
Instead of slippers, sweaters, ties and bathrobes, consider:
-- Antiques with local connections.
Downtown Delavan has a handful of multi-story antique shops within a three-block radius.
One of the booths at the Tommy Guns Antique Mall, 230 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan, has a box of old plat maps for a variety of local townships and villages. The giant mall also has a variety of advertising items with local ties.
Or, look for antique postcards featuring Lake Geneva beaches at Remember When Antiques and Collectibles, 313 E. Walworth Ave.
Downtown Janesville has several spots for antique treasures. Carousel Consignments, 31 S. Main St., has a "Janesville drawer" with local advertising and memorabilia such as plates commemorating Evansville's centennial and coin banks from banks in Milton Junction that no longer exist—or have long since changed names.
One of the treasures currently in the Janesville drawer is the official program from Edgerton's Centennial week, July 3-12, 1953.
"Edgerton: From Oxen to Jets," the cover proudly announces. Readers can peruse photos of the centennial queens or marvel at the eight-episode, 19-scene play detailing Edgerton's history.
Advertisements from businesses such as Walker's Friendly Service, Archie's Tavern, the Owls Club, Carlton Hotel and Bar, Edgerton Feed and Seed and Cliff House will bring back memories.
-- History buffs might like the reproduction of an 1877 drawing/map of the city of Janesville available at Star Photo, 2522 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville. The 19-by-25-inch print duplicates the lovely sepia tint of the original drawing.
-- Find your hometown on eBay.
A search of "Janesville" brought up a variety items including:
-- A program highlighting the presentation an Army-Navy production award to the Oldsmobile plant in 1943.
-- A first edition of "Plowing on Sunday," written by Edgerton's Sterling North and published in 1934.
-- Several ads featuring Highway Trailer Co. products. The company was a fixture in Edgerton for decades.
-- An 1870 fold-out flyer advertising items from Doty Manufacturing Co. of Janesville with beautiful drawings of the company's belt-power punching and shearing equipment.
-- A reproduction of a die-cut advertising sign for Janesville Machine Co. The color poster features an image of the two-bottom sulky plow. Also shown is a man riding on the plow being pulled by a team of four horses in a plowing demonstration. The text reads "How would you like to be the Champion Plow Man of the World?"
-- Janesville Wagons.
The Wisconsin Wagon Company started as the "Wisconsin Carriage Company" in 1915. After the advent of the automobile, the company set its sights on creating quality coaster wagons and other toys.
The company closed in 1940, but was resurrected 30 years ago by a Janesville businessman looking for a quality wooden wagon for his grandchild.
The current wagons aren't antiques, but they do hark back to a time when quality mattered and kids were sent outside to play in the sunshine.
The shop is located at 507 Laurel Ave., Janesville, and online at www.wisconsinwagon.com.