— Sep 20, 2022
A Fresh Look at Nathan Myrick
Living in La Crosse, you’ve likely heard Nathan Myrick cited as our community’s founding father. Places like Spence Park and Myrick Park offer us the commemoration of Nathan Myrick and his trading post, but we forget to ask ourselves why we hold this narrative so close to our community’s identity.
— Aug 22, 2022
Midway - Hidden in Plain Sight
Originally called “Halfway Creek” for the stream nearby of the same name by its founder, J.B. Canterbury, Midway was given its present name when the Chicago & Northwestern railroad was built through the community.
— Aug 9, 2022
Neighbors Making History: Vincent Schwarz - Klondike Fever
Vincent Schwarz, a middle-aged used furniture dealer from La Crosse, journeyed to the end of the rainbow seeking a pot of gold.
— Jul 20, 2022
This Will Floor You
A pattern book from the Congoleum Nairn company dated 1927 and used by the O. J. Oyen company has recently been donated to the La Crosse Public Library Archives, providing a wonderful insight into floor coverings and people's preferences almost a century ago.
— Jul 12, 2022
Our Lady of Lourdes
In less than 30 years at the beginning of the 20th century, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church went from an exciting new opportunity for Syrian Catholics in North La Crosse to a dilapidated building in such disrepair that it was unceremoniously razed to prevent criminal behavior from disrupting neighboring businesses.
— Jun 28, 2022
Marian Dorset's Family, Home, and Letters
The Dorset-Colwell family papers at LPLA include the personal correspondence for the whole family, who were extremely dedicated record-keepers. Marian Dorset even saved her drafted replies to her correspondents, which is the case for some 1901 love letters between her and John A. Wood.
— Jun 14, 2022
The Colonial Golf Club Took Flight in the 1930s
In 1931, Joseph and Mary Leidel bought land on rural Mormon Coulee Road and by June 1934, the Colonial Golf Club was open for business.
— May 27, 2022
Neighbors Making History: Mary Eckel Ruplin - La Crosse's First Born?
Mary Eckel Ruplin’s story, and the story of the actual (we think) first child born in La Crosse, is a complicated tale involving two pioneer families in La Crosse history.
— May 11, 2022
Historic Mueller Buildings Destroyed by Fire
Our community is grieving the loss of two historic buildings in downtown La Crosse from a devastating fire last month
— Apr 18, 2022
History Tours this May
May is Historic Preservation Month. Find out how to celebrate this May with history tours that explore four different neighborhoods in La Crosse.
— Apr 5, 2022
La Crosse Pioneers: W. A. Roosevelt Family
William A. Roosevelt was an early La Crosse steamboat engineer who established a plumbing business and warehouse, serving the needs of steamboat trade plying the waters of the Mississippi River
— Mar 22, 2022
Neighbors Making History: Stanislaus Mateske
The October 21, 1945, edition of the La Crosse Tribune marked the passing of a La Crosse man and entrepreneur who had overcome both his immigrant roots and great personal hardship on his way to becoming a successful businessman.