Background Information
- Date of Construction: This building was constructed in 1950.
- First Owner: Albert Matthias, who owned drive-in stands prior to opening Dairy Queen.
- Original Use: Restaurant and ice cream shop.
- Architects: Dairy Queen designers.
- Architectural Design:
- Mansur roof
- Wood frame
- Front mortar
- Relationship to Neighborhood and Community: Dairy Queen is a community gathering place where friends and families can spend time together. Dairy Queen is a big partner in CommunityFest during the summer, and several events throughout the year such as the Neenah Summer Fun Runs, Neenah Soccer Club, and many others.
Timeline |
1946: Valley Queen was created on Doty Island at 219 N. Commercial Street.
1950: Construction on the Valley Queen 450 Commercial St. location finished. 1957: Valley Queen was renamed Dairy Queen and relocated to current Commercial Street address. 1958: Albert passes store down to children Leonard and Jeanette Matthias. 1965: Archie and Betty Reiser buy store and franchise rights from Matthias'. 1980: Son of Archie and Betty Reiser, Jim, buys store from his parents. |
Address
Lane, Jane. E-mail interview. 20 May 2017.
Pictures from Downtown Neenah DQ website: http://neenahdairyqueendowntown.com/ and from Jim Reiser's archives
Information from Jim Reiser and Ted Galloway
Pictures from Downtown Neenah DQ website: http://neenahdairyqueendowntown.com/ and from Jim Reiser's archives
Information from Jim Reiser and Ted Galloway