Postcards of Oshkosh

Remember the Hotel Athearn?  The fountain in Riverside Cemetery?  Relive memories of Oshkosh through these postcards.  This collection consists of views of businesses, churches, parks, city streets, country roads and other structures throughout the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  According to postcard dealers, these small town views are highly sought after cards.  Dating of the cards for year or era was determined by postmarks and identifiying certain features present on the postcard.  Example:  there are no lions on the library postcard, thus the card would be dated before 1912. 

Additional postcards can be found in the Main Street, Oshkosh Wisconsin collection.

To browse a directory choose "select year" below to view the detailed listing for each directory and choose a specific section to locate a personal or business name and much more using the Find feature in the Acrobat viewer. View other information in the special sections for each directory. After using this collection, please provide feedback using the comments form at the bottom of the page.

Select year:

Need assistance with house renumbering that occurred in 1957?

A Look at Life in Oshkosh Through the Eyes of Those Who Live Here

The Oshkosh Public Library wants to preserve images of Oshkosh community life through photos and videos taken by residents and visitors.  The Library has created Picture Oshkosh, a digital photo and video album.  Click here or the image above to enter the photo album.

Here's How it Works:

• Individuals and organizations submit photos or videos to the library that showcase Oshkosh people, buildings, history and special events.
• Library staff will scan and digitize the images to add to the online digital collection.
• Images will be uploaded into PhotoBucket, a photo/video sharing web site.
• Original photos and video will be returned to their owners, along with a free CD or DVD (Oshkosh residents only - while supplies last).

Types of Images We're Looking For:
Unique images that chronicle life in Oshkosh, both past and present, will be considered for Picture Oshkosh.  This may include:

• Buildings
• Events - Special or Annual
• People
• Neighborhood or Street Scenes
• Businesses
• Scenic Views and Attractions

Picture Oshkosh will include not just historic photos, but a mix of past and present scenes, events and activities.

Submitting Images:
Items should be in good condition in the following formats:

• Photos - Prints or Digital
• Video - VHS or Digital
• Slides

Oversized items, photo negatives, and framed or mounted photos cannot be submitted.   

Stop by the 2nd floor Reference Desk to pick up forms to fill out.  Use some of the forms to submit information about the images (identification, date, event, location).  Bring your completed forms and photos/videos to the Reference Desk.  We'll let you know when we're done digitizing them and give you a CD or DVD (while supplies last) of your photos or videos.

Digital photos and videos may be submitted via email.  Please see our special instructions for submitting via email.

For more information, please contact the Reference Desk, 920.236.5205 or email oshkoshalbum [at] oshkoshpubliclibrary [dot] org