La Crosse Public Library Archives

John W. Birney and his family: early African American residents of La Crosse

Some of the earliest La Crosse settlers were African Americans, moving to northern states, attracted to the same opportunities as others coming into the area.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Many of the first European-descendant settlers who are credited with establishing La Crosse were fur-traders, loggers, and merchants.… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/john-w.-birney-and-his-family-early-african-american-residents-of-la-crosse/

Looking Back ('17) - Looking Ahead ('18)

A look back at the stories we told in 2017, and a look ahead at the programs planned for 2018.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Archives staff put together alot of great blog posts in 2017, so before looking ahead to the 2018 program schedule, please take a mom… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-looking-ahead/

Happy Farmer Tractors

About 100 years ago, La Crosse was a major source of happy farmers – Happy Farmer tractors, that is.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) About 100 years ago, La Crosse was a major source of happy farmers – Happy Farmer tractors, that is. A series of three-wheeled an… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/happy-farmer-tractors/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2017 walking and bus tours

Join the La Crosse Public Library Archives for a series of tours highlighting historic and architecturally significant residences and buildings in La Crosse.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Join the La Crosse Public Library Archives for a series of tours highlighting historic and architecturally significant residences and… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-of-la-crosse-fall-2017-walking-and-bus-tours/

Ghosts of Historic La Crosse Walking Tours

So fun and informative, it's scary!
** Offered June through September, 2017 ** Sunday through Thursday Nights ** 7:30pm and 9:00pm Cost only $10 per person Part of the proceeds benefit La Crosse Public Libr… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/ghosts-of-historic-la-crosse-walking-tours/

Let's Do Lunch

Where did folks head to eat 50 or 60 or 70 years ago?
(written by Megan, Archives staff) In thinking about where to grab a bite in La Crosse there is everything from fine dining (The Waterfront) to casual (Pickerman’s) to the ubiq… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lets-do-lunch/

La Crosse Movie Palaces

While the Rivoli still operates as a theater in downtown La Crosse, over a dozen movie theaters that could rightfully be called movie palaces have been lost to history.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) For the third year in a row, Dave Solie of WXOW News 19 has come to us to do background research on a film industry related story to … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-movie-palaces/

The Leona

Leona Linker was a leader in women's fashion and has the patent to prove it.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff) Leona Foerster was born in La Crosse to George & Catherine Foerster. Taught to sew at an early age (the usual for the day), and apprentic… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-leona/

Gertrude Salzer Gordon, Philanthropist

While today La Crosse citizens may not be able to recognize Gordon by name, the numerous organizations she funded and supported are sure to be recognized and will live on into the next century.
(Written by Hannah Weber, Archives staff) A philanthropist is a person who possesses the altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement as facilitated by monetary, proper… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/gertrude-salzer-gordon-philanthropist/

Burns Fruit House

John C. Burns opened his wholesale Fruit House in 1883.
(Written by Megan, Archives staff) Wholesale oyster seller in La Crosse? The Burns Fruit House was. John C. Burns opened his wholesale (with limited retail sales at certain … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/burns-fruit-house/

Fire!

For a town built by the lumber industry like La Crosse, the threat of fire held a particular terror.
(written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff) For a town built by the lumber industry like La Crosse, the threat of fire held a particular terror. On the morning of April 6, 1886… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/fire/

Syrians in La Crosse

In the last decades of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth, around 100,000 immigrants from the Ottoman province of Syria (what is now Syria, Lebanon and part of Jordan) came to the United States seeking economic opportunity or fle…
(written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff) With debate about Syrian refugees currently in the news, the Archives department recalls a prior period where Syrian refugees came t… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/syrians-in-la-crosse/

A La Crosse Institution - Doerflinger's Department Store

As was common in towns all over the United States, the La Crosse downtown was the retail center of the city and Doerflinger’s department store was a downtown anchor.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff) As was common in towns all over the United States, the La Crosse downtown was the retail center of the city and Doerflinger’s department stor… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/a-la-crosse-institution-doerflingers-department-store/

Fires in Winter

Fighting fires with water in freezing temperatures makes for some very compelling photography.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) As winter (hopefully) winds down, I thought it might be interesting to share some of the La Crosse Fire Department photos of fires in… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/fires-in-winter/

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like... Christmas Decorations

Greenery and lights have decorated downtown La Crosse during the holiday season for many years.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) Greenery and lights have decorated downtown La Crosse during the holiday season for many years. Decorations on 4th Street in the 1960’s… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like...-christmas-decorations/

Find Your Place 100+ Years Ago with Sanborn Maps Online

One of the best tools researchers have to help understand city development are maps made by insurance companies in the late 1800s through the mid-1900s.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) Sometimes it can be hard to imagine just what a building, street, or neighborhood looked like a century ago. Historic photos are great,… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/find-your-place-100-years-ago-with-sanborn-maps-online/

La Crosse Woman Would Have Been the First Mary Kay

Ruth Johnson Maurer, wife of Dr. Albert A Maurer, first started making face powders and creams in the basement of their home in 1903.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) When Ruth Johnson Maurer, wife of Dr. Albert A Maurer, first started making face powders and creams in the basement of their home in 1903 she… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-woman-would-have-been-the-first-mary-kay/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2014 Walking and Bus Tours

Join the La Crosse Public Library Archives for a series of tours highlighting historic and architecturally significant residences and buildings in La Crosse.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Join the La Crosse Public Library Archives for a series of tours highlighting historic and architecturally significant residences and… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-of-la-crosse-2014-walking-and-bus-tours/

Albert Norby, La Crosse Small Businessperson

Albert Norby owned the Albert Norby Meat Market at 929 Mississippi Street, as shown in this photograph.
(Written by Megan of the Archives staff) In the La Crosse city directory for 1897 Albert Norby was working for Jos. Schams Meat Market and boarding at 929 Mississippi Street. B… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/albert-norby-la-crosse-small-businessperson/

Model Airplane Contest!

Win a prize?
(written by Cate Putirskis, Archives Staff) Found in the La Crosse Tribune, March 30, 1943: Did any of you enter the contest? How'd you do? Let us know! (Girls… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/model-airplane-contest/

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