Menasha, Wisconsin

{{About|the city|the adjacent former town|Menasha (town), Wisconsin}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Menasha, Wisconsin | settlement_type = City | nickname = | motto = "Your Place on the Water" | image_skyline = Downtown Menasha.jpg | imagesize = 250px | image_caption = Downtown Menasha | image_flag = | image_seal =  | image_map = File:Calumet County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Menasha Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location of Menasha in Winnebago and Calumet counties, Wisconsin. | pushpin_map = Wisconsin#USA | pushpin_label = Menasha | pushpin_relief = yes | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Wisconsin}} | subdivision_type2 = Counties | subdivision_name2 = Winnebago, Calumet | government_footnotes = | government_type = Mayor–council | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Austin Hammond | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1835 | established_title1 = Incorporated | established_date1 = 1848 (town)<br>1853 (village)<br>1874 (city) | population_demonym = Menashan | named_for = Menominee word for "little island" | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2021}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 20.16 | area_land_km2 = 15.66 | area_water_km2 = 4.50 | area_total_sq_mi = 7.78 | area_land_sq_mi = 6.05 | area_water_sq_mi = 1.74 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = <ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/> | population_total = 18268 | population_density_km2 = 7825.64 | population_density_sq_mi = 3,021.5 | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = | pop_est_as_of =  | timezone = Central (CST) | utc_offset = −6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = −5 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3-u">{{cite gnis|1569330|Menasha|2026-02-24}}</ref> | elevation_m = 230 | elevation_ft = 755 | coordinates = {{coord|44|13|N|88|26|W|region:US-WI_type:city|display=inline,title}} | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = 54952<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/54952|title=Menasha WI ZIP Code|publisher=zipdatamaps.com|year=2023|access-date=February 10, 2023}}</ref> | area_code = 920 | area_code_type = Area code | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 55-50825<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 1569330<ref name="GR3-u" /> | website = [http://www.menashawi.gov menashawi.gov] | footnotes = }} '''Menasha''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|n|æ|ʃ|ə}}) is a city located on former Menominee and Ho-Chunk territory in Winnebago and Calumet counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 18,268 at the 2020 census, of which 15,144 were in Winnebago County and 2,209 were in Calumet County. The city's name comes from the Menominee language, in which it is known as ''Menāēhsaeh'', meaning "little island".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www4.uwsp.edu/museum/menomineeClans/places/chart.aspx|title=Menominee Place Names in Wisconsin|last=Hoffman|first=Mike|website=The Menominee Clans Story|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref> At the time of European contact, a Ho-Chunk village known as "Menashay" stood on what is now Doty Island, led by Chief Hootschope (Four Legs).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Neenah-Menasha |url=https://pbswisconsin.org/watch/wisconsin-hometown-stories/wisconsin-hometown-stories-neenah-menasha-dtppez/ |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=PBS Wisconsin}}</ref> It is part of the Fox Cities region of Wisconsin. Doty Island is located partially in Menasha, which it shares with Neenah.

==History== thumb|left|An illustration of Butte Des Morts on June 14, 1851.

The Menominee people inhabited the Fox River Valley for over 10,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menominee Treaties and Treaty Rights |url=https://www.mpm.edu/index.php/content/wirp/ICW-108 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Milwaukee Public Museum}}</ref> Ancestors of the Ho-Chunk also occupied what is currently Menasha, with a village known as "Menashay" on what is now Doty Island, led by Chief Hootschope (Four Legs).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Neenah-Menasha |url=https://pbswisconsin.org/watch/wisconsin-hometown-stories/wisconsin-hometown-stories-neenah-menasha-dtppez/ |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=PBS Wisconsin}}</ref> In the 1600s, the Meskwaki established a village just north of Menasha. In 1730, a surprise attack by French soldiers and traders led by Captain Paul Marin resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Meskwaki (Fox) people residing in the area. The bodies were subsequently piled into a mass grave 12 feet high, 60 feet long, and 35 feet wide, known as Butte des Morts ("Hill of the Dead"). Despite the protests of early Wisconsin preservationist Increase A. Lapham—who argued there was "neither necessity nor excuse for its destruction"—the hill was leveled in 1863 to make way for a Chicago and North Western Railway line. The company used the excavated earth as landfill and ballast, with remains reportedly "strewn along the right of way for miles."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lapham |first=Increase Allen |url=http://archive.org/details/antiquitiesofwis00laph |title=The antiquities of Wisconsin : as surveyed and described |date=1855 |publisher=Washington : Smithsonian Institution |others=University of Pittsburgh Library System}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-27 |title=A Brief History of Menasha |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2423 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Wisconsin Historical Society |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Butte des Morts' first used for Menasha mound |url=https://madison.com/news/local/butte-des-morts-first-used-for-menasha-mound/article_3ebc47a1-7adc-54bc-a68e-9742bf3a5e9e.html |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Madison.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lawson |first=Publius V. |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.summaryofarcheol00laws/?sp=22&st=image |title=Summary of the archeology of Winnebago County, Wisconsin |date=1903 |others=Wisconsin archeological society. [from old catalog |location=[Milwaukee, Wis |language=english}}</ref>

In 1836, the Menominee ceded approximately 4,000,000 acres of land, including present-day Menasha, to the United States in the Treaty of the Cedars for $700,000 (approximately 17 cents per acre).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Treaty of the Cedars |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS13768 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Wisconsin Historical Society}}</ref> This opened up land for public sale, and James Duane Doty, a land speculator and politician, was one of the first investors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doty, James Duane, 1799-1865 |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS510 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Wisconsin Historical Society}}</ref> Doty was known for using aggressive tactics to acquire land and political influence, including offering legislators choice lots in exchange for favorable votes; one of his business partners, Michigan Governor Stevens Mason, described him as "a liar, a calumniator and a swindler."<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Doty: His determination and devious tactics made Madison the state capital |url=https://madison.com/news/local/james-doty-his-determination-and-devious-tactics-made-madison-the-state-capital/article_5c5e721d-9847-553f-8c6c-3e347e95c748.html |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Madison.com}}</ref> In 1848, Doty and his associates, including Curtis Reed, formed the town of Menasha on the channel north of Doty Island.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Menasha History |url=https://www.menashawi.gov/residents/history.php |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.menashawi.gov}}</ref> In 1849, Reed and Doty were successful in convincing the United States government to place the navigational channel of the Fox-Wisconsin waterway through the north channel in Menasha.<ref name=":0" /> In 1854 Menasha approved $150,000 in bonding to bring the Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad in with the intent of establishing Menasha as the principal transportation axis in Wisconsin. Menasha was incorporated as a city in 1874, and at that point was considered to be a transportation hub.<ref name=":0" />

thumb|left|Former Menasha Hub Spoke and Bending Factory

The early 1900s saw a shift to industrial production of general and specialized papers.<ref name=":0" /> Menasha was home to many paper mills including the George A. Whiting Paper Company Mill, the John Strange Paper Mill, Island Paper Company, and Gilbert Paper Company, to name a few. Menasha was also home to the George Banta Publishing Company which published textbooks, military manuals, yearbooks, and magazines.

Menasha Corporation also called Menasha home. It was established in 1849 by Elisha D. Smith as Menasha Wooden Ware.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The History of Menasha |url=https://www.menasha.com/history/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Menasha Packaging |language=en-US}}</ref> It produced wooden containers like butter tubs and barrels and eventually became the world's largest wooden ware products manufacturer. After wooden ware products fell out of use in the early 1900s, Menasha Wooden Ware shifted to the corrugated packaging business, changing its name to Menasha Corporation.<ref name=":1" />

==Geography== thumb|Menasha Dam

Menasha is located at {{coord|44|13|N|88|26|W|type:city}} (44.2129, −88.4362).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|7.52|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|6.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|1.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1860= 1436 |1870= 2484 |1880= 3144 |1890= 4581 |1900= 5589 |1910= 6081 |1920= 7214 |1930= 9062 |1940= 10481 |1950= 12385 |1960= 14647 |1970= 14836 |1980= 14728 |1990= 14711 |2000= 16331 |2010= 17353 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> |2020=18268 | align = right | align-fn = center }}Menasha is a city in the Appleton–Oshkosh–Neenah CSA, a Combined Statistical Area which includes the Appleton (Calumet and Outagamie counties) and Oshkosh–Neenah (Winnebago County) metropolitan areas,{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} which had a combined population of 392,660 at the 2010 census and an estimated population of 409,881 as of 2019.

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Menasha had a population of 18,268. The population density was {{convert|3,021.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The median age was 38.5 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.2 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A50825&in=state%3A55|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 16, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A50825&in=state%3A55|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 16, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A50825&in=state%3A55|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 16, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 7,891 households in Menasha, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.3% were married-couple households, 21.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 8,282 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL"/> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 14,817 || 81.1% |- | Black or African American || 420 || 2.3% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 160 || 0.9% |- | Asian || 701 || 3.8% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 1 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 922 || 5.0% |- | Two or more races || 1,247 || 6.8% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 1,873 || 10.3% |}

===2010 census=== At the 2010 census there were 17,353 people, 7,405 households, and 4,415 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2877.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 7,973 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1322.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 1.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.9%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref>

Of the 7,405 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 32.2% of households were one person and 9.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age was 36 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

===2000 census=== At the 2000 census there were 16,331 people, 6,951 households, and 4,233 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|3,106.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 7,271 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,383.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.80% White, 0.54% African American, 0.61% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.61%.<ref name="GR2" />

Of the 6,951 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.8% of households were one person and 10.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median household income was $39,936 and the median family income was $47,401. Males had a median income of $36,705 versus $25,176 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,743. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

===Religion=== [[File:St. Thomas, Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|Menasha's St. Thomas Episcopal Church was designed by Harry Weese]]

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) has two churches in Menasha: Bethel Lutheran Church<ref>{{cite web|title=Bethel Lutheran Church|url=http://www.bethelmenasha.org/default.asp?sec_id=180013320|access-date=January 29, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202050549/http://www.bethelmenasha.org/default.asp?sec_id=180013320|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (WELS)|url=http://mtcalvary.net/}}</ref>

Architect Harry Weese designed Menasha's St Thomas' Episcopal Church. ==Parks and recreation== thumb|Barlow Planetarium thumb|The Loop the Little Lake Trail

The 91-acre Heckrodt Wetland Reserve is an urban nature reserve with habitats including forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, created prairie, open field, and upland forest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heckrodt Wetland Reserve {{!}} Urban Nature Reserve {{!}} Menasha, WI |url=https://heckrodtnaturecenter.org/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=Heckrodt Wetland Reserve |language=en-US}}</ref> The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus houses the Weis Earth Science Museum and the Barlow Planetarium.

Menasha contains numerous parks. It has a public pool located in Jefferson Park.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Park List | url=https://cms5.revize.com/revize/menasha/Park%20list2020.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130072038/https://cms5.revize.com/revize/menasha/Park%20list2020.pdf | archive-date=2021-11-30}}</ref> Smith Park is the oldest park in the Menasha Park system, established in 1897.

A railroad caboose in Smith Park commemorates the original Wisconsin Central Railroad. At the southern end of the park are several Native American burial mounds and a natural amphitheater used for summer concerts. The north end of the park features semi-formal gardens planted each year with approximately 6,000 annuals, a setting that is a favorite for summer weddings. A gazebo funded with corporate donations was built in this area in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web| title=City of Menasha - Open space and recreation facilities plan 2012-2016 | url=https://cms5.revize.com/revize/menasha/Parks%20&%20Rec/4.OpenSpacePlan_Final_Resolution_8-2012.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816153931/https://cms5.revize.com/revize/menasha/Parks%20&%20Rec/4.OpenSpacePlan_Final_Resolution_8-2012.pdf | archive-date=2022-08-16}}</ref>

==Government== thumb|Menasha Post Office

The city of Menasha has a mayor–council government. There are eight districts in the city, each represented by an aldermen. The council meets weekly with the mayor, Austin Hammond.

List of Menasha's village presidents:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ARV7FWYPWWRKSG9E/pages/AIGZVC4NXE6R6K8R|title=History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center" |+ class="nowrap" | Village Presidents of Menasha, Wisconsin, since incorporation as a village in 1853 ! Order ! Term start ! Term end ! Village President ! Notes |- style="height:3em" | 1 | 1853 | 1854 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | There is no official record for the first election, although the first meeting minutes lists Curtis Reed as president. |- style="height:3em" | 2 | 1854 | 1855 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 3 | 1855 | 1856 | align=left | {{sortname|Joseph|Turner|dab=Wisconsin politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 4 | 1856 | 1857 | align=left | {{sortname|Joseph|Turner|dab=Wisconsin politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 5 | 1857 | 1858 | align=left | {{sortname|Joseph|Turner|dab=Wisconsin politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 6 | 1858 | 1859 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 7 | 1859 | 1860 | align=left | {{sortname|John A.|Bryan|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 8 | 1860 | 1861 | align=left | {{sortname|John A.|Bryan|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 9 | 1861 | 1862 | align=left | {{sortname|Charles|Doty|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 10 | 1862 | 1863 | align=left | {{sortname|Charles|Doty|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 11 | 1863 | 1864 | align=left | {{sortname|Elisha D.|Smith|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 12 | 1864 | 1865 | align=left | {{sortname|Elisha D.|Smith|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 13 | 1865 | 1866 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 14 | 1866 | 1867 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 15 | 1867 | 1868 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | No record of election, though the same officers stayed in their offices. |- style="height:3em" | 16 | 1868 | 1869 | align=left | {{sortname|John|Potter, Jr.|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 17 | 1869 | 1870 | align=left | {{sortname|John|Potter, Jr.|}} | No record of election, though the same officers stayed in their offices. |- style="height:3em" | 18 | 1870 | 1871 | align=left | {{sortname|A. E.|Bates|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 19 | 1871 | 1872 | align=left | {{sortname|Fred|Schuellen|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 20 | 1872 | 1873 | align=left | {{sortname|Fred|Schuellen|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 21 | 1873 | 1874 | align=left | {{sortname|O. J.|Hall|nolink=1}} | |}

List of Menasha's mayors:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayors of Menasha |url=https://www.menasha150.com/about-1}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center" |+ class="nowrap" | Mayors of Menasha, Wisconsin, since incorporation as a city in 1874 ! Order ! Term start ! Term end ! Mayor ! Notes |- style="height:3em" | 1 | 1874 | 1875 | align=left | {{sortname|O.J.|Hall|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 2 | 1875 | 1879 | align=left | {{sortname|P.V.|Lawson, Sr.|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 3 | 1879 | 1882 | align=left | {{sortname|A.J.|Webster|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 4 | 1882 | 1883 | align=left | {{sortname|Silas|Bullard|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 5 | 1883 | 1885 | align=left | {{sortname|A.J.|Webster|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 6 | 1885 | 1886 | align=left | {{sortname|L.G.|Noble|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 7 | 1886 | 1890 | align=left | {{sortname|P.V.|Lawson, Jr.|Publius Virgilius Lawson}} | |- style="height:3em" | 8 | 1890 | 1892 | align=left | {{sortname|Curtis|Reed|dab=politician}} | |- style="height:3em" | 9 | 1892 | 1893 | align=left | {{sortname|George|Banta}} | |- style="height:3em" | 10 | 1893 | 1894 | align=left | {{sortname|P.V.|Lawson, Jr.|Publius Virgilius Lawson}} | |- style="height:3em" | 11 | 1894 | 1895 | align=left | {{sortname|John|Rosch|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 12 | 1895 | 1896 | align=left | {{sortname|George|Banta|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 13 | 1896 | 1897 | align=left | {{sortname|P.V.|Lawson, Jr.|Publius Virgilius Lawson}} | |- style="height:3em" | 14 | 1897 | 1898 | align=left | {{sortname|J.M.|Pleasants|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 15 | 1898 | 1900 | align=left | {{sortname|M.M.|Schoetz|nolink=1}} |- style="height:3em" | 16 | 1900 | 1901 | align=left | {{sortname|J.M.|Pleasants|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 17 | 1901 | 1902 | align=left | {{sortname|Henry|Fitzgibbon|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 18 | 1902 | 1904 | align=left | {{sortname|George|Banta|}} | |- style="height:3em" | 19 | 1904 | 1908 | align=left | {{sortname|August J.|Henning|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 20 | 1908 | 1910 | align=left | {{sortname|N.G.|Remmel|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 21 | 1910 | 1912 | align=left | {{sortname|Joesph|Hill|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 22 | 1912 | 1919 | align=left | {{sortname|N.G.|Remmel|nolink=1}} | | |- style="height:3em" | 23 | 1919 | 1922 | align=left | {{sortname|T.E.|McGillan|nolink=1}} | align=left | "Elected mayor of Menasha to fill out an unexpired term" and then re-elected without opposition. | |- style="height:3em" | 24 | 1922 | 1924 | align=left | {{sortname|M.M.|Schoetz|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 25 | 1924 | 1928 | align=left | {{sortname|N.G.|Remmel|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 26 | 1928 | 1930 | align=left | {{sortname|W.E.|Held|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 27 | 1930 | 1934 | align=left | {{sortname|N.G.|Remmel|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 28 | 1934 | 1936 | align=left | {{sortname|F.O.|Heckrodt|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 29 | 1936 | 1938 | align=left | {{sortname|W.E.|Held|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 30 | 1938 | 1946 | align=left | {{sortname|W.H.|Jensen|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 31 | 1946 | 1956 | align=left | {{sortname|John R.|Scanlon|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 32 | 1956 | 1960 | align=left | {{sortname|R.G.|DuCharme|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 33 | 1960 | 1966 | align=left | {{sortname|John L.|Klein|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 34 | 1966 | 1968 | align=left | {{sortname|Kenneth E.|Holmes|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 35 | 1968 | 1970 | align=left | {{sortname|John L.|Klein|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 36 | 1970 | 1974 | align=left | {{sortname|James|Adams|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 37 | 1974 | 1982 | align=left | {{sortname|Victor V.|Wiecki|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 38 | 1982 | 1988 | align=left | {{sortname|Thom A.|Ciske|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 39 | 1988 | 2008 | align=left | {{sortname|Joseph F.|Laux|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 40 | 2008 | 2024 | align=left | {{sortname|Donald|Merkes|nolink=1}} | |- style="height:3em" | 41 | 2024 | Present | align=left | {{sortname|Austin R.|Hammond|nolink=1}} | |}

==Education== thumb|Menasha High School

Menasha's Public School system, called the Menasha Joint School District has one high school (Menasha High School), one middle school, and five elementary schools. Banta Bilingual Elementary School's program provides instruction in both English and Spanish, with the goal of developing students with proficiency in both languages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menasha Joint School District - Bilingual Program and Enrollment |url=https://www.mjsd.k12.wi.us/schools/banta/families/bilingual.cfm |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=www.mjsd.k12.wi.us}}</ref>

Parochial education is offered at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School, Bethel Lutheran School (elementary and middle), and Trinity Lutheran School (elementary and middle).

Menasha was home to the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus, a two-year campus part of the UW System. The campus closed in 2025 as part of four other campus closures.

==Friendly cities== * {{flagicon|JPN}} Maebashi, Japan<ref>{{Cite web |title=メナーシャ市{{!}}前橋市 |url=https://www.city.maebashi.gunma.jp/gyosei/8/3/1/13423.html |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=www.city.maebashi.gunma.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

==Notable people== {{further|Category:People from Menasha, Wisconsin}} thumb|right|Elisha D. Smith Public Library in Menasha{{div col}} * Joseph H. Anderson, legislator * John A. Bryan, U.S. diplomat * Silas Bullard, jurist and legislator * Elmer J. Burr, Medal of Honor recipient * Arnold J. Cane, jurist and legislator * Connie Clausen, television and Broadway actress, literary agent, and author of "I Love You Honey but The Season's Over", a memoir about Menasha * Jean Pond Miner Coburn, sculptor * Samuel A. Cook, U.S. Representative * John Dollard, psychologist * William Duchman, legislator and sawmill operator * A. D. Eldridge, legislator and businessman * William P. Grimes, legislator and businessman * Eric Hinske, hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and 2002 American League Rookie of the Year * Joan Jaykoski, baseball player * James C. Kerwin, Wisconsin Supreme Court * Dave Koslo, MLB player for the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and the Milwaukee Braves * Jean Kraft, opera singer * Publius Virgilius Lawson, six-term mayor, historian, manufacturer, lawyer * George Liberace, musician and television performer, older brother of Liberace * Jeff Loomis, heavy metal guitarist * Thomas J. O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin * Curtis Reed, mayor of Menasha, businessman * Richard J. Steffens, legislator * Leslie J. Westberg, U.S. Air Force brigadier general {{div col end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading==

* Adams, Arva Luther, Caryl Chandler Herziger, and Winifred Anderson Pawlowski. 1993. ''A tale of twin cities : or the development of the Fox River Waterway''. Neenah, Wisconsin: Neenah Historical Society. https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/RDTQFMZZZV23G8A * Auer, James M. 1953. ''Centennial memories : a brief history of Menasha, Wisconsin''. Menasha, Wisconsin: Auer. https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/VXQYJCGMJQP6M9B * Galassie, David, and Menasha Historical Society. 2012. ''Menasha''. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. https://search.worldcat.org/en/title/775415397 * Galassie, David. 2018. ''Neenah and Menasha : Twin Cities of the Fox Valley''. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. https://search.worldcat.org/en/title/1015857288 * Stone, H.A. 1887. ''The first city of the lower Fox River : Menasha, Wisconsin''. Neenah, Wisconsin: H. A. Stone, printer. https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/JNXZZP2ZV6GUB8S

==External links== {{Commons category|Menasha, Wisconsin}} * [http://www.menashawi.gov City of Menasha] * {{Cite Collier's|short=x|wstitle=Menasha}}

Category:Cities in Wisconsin Category:Cities in Winnebago County, Wisconsin Category:Cities in Calumet County, Wisconsin Category:Fox Cities Category:Wisconsin placenames of Native American origin