This was my Dad's first job! He grew up in Chicago, and probably worked as a pin boy around 1940.

I'm a big fan of the bottle of liquid polish/dye with a sponge tip applicator. It does a great job of covering up all the scuff marks I make with my lazy feet.

It's like having brand new shoes. Divine!

One theory I've read is that a very large meteorite broke up and pieces of it crashed simultaneously in Peshtigo and Chicago, causing both fires.

The Peshtigo Fire Museum is skeptical, though.

More info on their website:
http://www.peshtigofire.info/

If you're in the area, you might want to check out The House on the Rock as well. Tinkergirl of Brass Goggles fame described just this week as "accidentally steampunk."

http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=621"

That's one jaw-droppingly beautiful anachronism.

Love it.

Want one.