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McLoone Metal Graphics Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 079

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the collection is made up of black and white photographs, some of which are undated, but most appear to have been taken between the mid-1950s and the 1960s. Some photographs contain advertising sketches or handwritten notes in pencil on the backs or on the fronts of the photographs. Photo negatives and advertising material are included for some of McLoone's clients.

McLoone family materials contain two childhood photographs of James McLoone (ca. 1930s), several photographs of James McLoone (1975-1978), a photograph McLoone with his wife, Helen (1978), and James McLoone's obituary (1980).

McLoone's friends and business associates (ca. 1950s-1993) include photographs of Robert Hurtgen, Ronald E. McGavock, David Baptie, and others.

During this time period, McLoone Metal Graphics' clients included businesses and churches in Wisconsin and in other states, all of which are listed separately from one another. Unless otherwise mentioned, each file contains photographs and/or negatives of the business or church.

Dates

  • 1930s-1980
  • Majority of material found within 1952 - 1969

Creator

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

Historical Note

James E. McLoone began his advertising business in La Crosse in 1954. The business was first known as McLoone Advertising Service until 1973 when the name was changed to McLoone Metal Graphics. It was initially located in the Batavian National Bank Building on Main Street in La Crosse. Originally started as an advertising business, the company soon added screen printing. By 1958, the business had relocated to 75 Sumner Street. McLoone was president until his death on Feb. 29, 1980. Helen McLoone, the widow of James E. McLoone, served briefly as president of the company after his death. The company was known for manufacturing and distributing name plates and decorative trim.

In 1980, the company was acquired by JSJ Corporation, a manufacturing company located in Grand Haven, Michigan. McLoone Metal Graphics continued to operate under the direction of Martin Johnson as president and Anita Froegel as vice-president. On September 28, 1981, Anita Froegel began serving as president of the company and David Hyde Jr. was vice-president. Frogel continued as president of the company until her retirement in 2001. Today the company, a subsidiary of JSJ Corporation, is a custom screen print manufacturer of identification products, and is also known as simply McLoone.

Extent

0.4 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

McLoone Metal Graphics, La Crosse, Wisconsin, formerly known as McLoone Advertising Service, was an advertising agency involved in screen printing and name plate design for industry. The business, started by James E. McLoone, began in 1954. Today, the company, a subsidiary of JSJ Corporation, is a custom screen print manufacturer of identification products and is also known simply as Mcloone.

The bulk of the collection is made up of black and white photographs, some of which are undated, but most appear to have been taken between the mid-1950s and the 1960s. Photo negatives and advertising materials are included for some of McLoone's clients. Some personal photos of James E. McLoone and his wife, Helen McLoone, are also included. Clients included businesses and churches in Wisconsin and other states.

Acquisitions Information

(Accession no. 2001.003) Donated by Anita Froegel, 2001

Related Materials

Missing Title

(Clipping File)
Industries-McLoone Metal Graphics
(Ephemera File)
Industries-McLoone Metal Graphics

Physical Description

1 archives box

Processing Information

Processed by Christine Stolz, 2005; finding aid revised June 2005

Title
Guide to the McLoone Metal Graphics Records, 1952-1980 (bulk 1950s-1960s)
Status
Completed
Author
Christine Stolz
Date
2005 June
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the La Crosse Public Library Archives Repository

Contact:
800 Main St.
La Crosse Wisconsin 54601
(608) 789-7136