Wire screen, while an easily overlooked modern convenience now, was an incredible innovation in the late 1800s that dramatically improved the quality of life of La Crosse citizens.
(written by Dr. Les Crocker and Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff)
Movies and TV productions set in the past always present a sanitized version of how life really was. With… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/stinkytown-and-the-flies/
Throughout the 20th century, the Franciscan Sisters running St. Francis Hospital partnered with like-minded physicians before ultimately joining one of the world’s most renowned medical systems.
(written by Meghan Hoefling, Archives staff)
Last week, we dove into the trials of opening and operating St. Francis Hospital in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. World … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-legacy-of-st.-francis-hospital/
Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare recently broke ground on a new hospital building, expanding an already substantial campus, but none of it would have been possible were it not for the vision and devotion of an order of Franciscan Sisters …
(written by Sarah Ludington, Archives staff)
In 2022, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare broke ground into the block bounded by West Avenue and Mississippi Stree… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-founding-sisters-of-st.-francis-hospital/
Join your friends at the La Crosse Public Library’s first-ever Adult Prom fund raiser event celebrating Rockin’ through the Decades from the 1950s-2010s on April 22 at the Concordia Ballroom!
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff)
The Adult Prom event has been postponed so stay tuned for another date.
When that event does happen, a special exhibit wil… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/adult-prom-rockin-through-the-decades/
From January 22 to February 28, 2023, a boutique exhibition of vintage Hmong clothing, artifacts, and history exploring the long journey from the mountains of Laos, across the Mekong to the shores of the Mississippi will be on display at the La Crosse Pub…
Photo courtesy of Anita Taylor Doering.
On January 22, 2023, an exhibition of vintage Hmong clothing, artifacts, and history exploring the long journey from the mou… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/hmong-diaspora-exhibit/
A look back at the local history stories shared by the La Crosse Public Library Archives in 2022.
Archives staff/volunteers/interns/guest historians put together a lot of great blog posts in 2022; please take a moment to check out these local history topics by clicking on the … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-2022/
In August 1939, a librarian working in Cedar Rapids, IA named Dorothea M. Fox decided to hop on her new, light-weight, 3-speed Schwinn and ride by herself to her childhood home in La Crosse.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff)
In August 1939, a librarian working in Cedar Rapids, Iowa named Dorothea M. Fox decided to hop on her new, light-weight, 3-speed Sch… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/dorothea-m.-fox-the-pedaling-librarian/
In 1888 a local contractor talked to a newspaper reporter about local building costs, "LA CROSSE IS THE PLACE TO BUILD CHEAP HOUSES"
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History)
People are always curious as to what something cost in the “good old days.” In an earlier blog I talked about s… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/houses-for-a-hundred-dollars/
Charles Lindbergh Shannon or “Lindy” was known to La Crosse teenagers of the late 1950s and 1960s as the “man behind the music.”
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff)
Lindy Shannon at the controls at WKBH radio. Photo courtesy of Peter Hansen.
Charles Lindbergh Shannon or “Lindy” wa… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lucky-lindys-legacy/
Before the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, all abortions were illegal in the state of Wisconsin. But this doesn't mean they weren't performed. So what did this look like in La Crosse?
(written and researched by Jaci Bedtka, UWL Public History Intern Fellow)
CONTENT WARNING: This article contains descriptions of unsafe abortions and the complications that fol… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/abortion-access-in-la-crosse/
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 narr…
(Written and researched by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff. Edited by Tiffany Trimmer and Anita Taylor Doering. A special thanks to Henry Greengrass and Tracy Littlejohn for provid… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/a-fresh-look-at-nathan-myrick/
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 …
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History)
A pattern book from the Congoleum Nairn company dated 1927 and used by the O. J. Oyen company has recently been do… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/this-will-floor-you/
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 letter…
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff)
At her death in 1951, Marian Dorset was 82 years old. She was the daughter of Nannie Hammer Colwell Dorset and Rev. Charles P. Dorset.… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/marian-dorsets-family-home-and-letters/
May is Historic Preservation Month. Find out how to celebrate this May with history tours that explore four different neighborhoods in La Crosse.
Come celebrate Historic Preservation Month this May and join the Footsteps of La Crosse history tour series, guided by LPL Archives staff. Footsteps explores how class, culture, a… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/history-tours-this-may/
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
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff)
William A. Roosevelt was an early La Crosse steamboat engineer who established a plumbing business and warehouse, serving th… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-pioneers-w.-a.-roosevelt-family/
To what lengths did early La Crosse residents go to account for their transportation animals'... uh... waste?
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History)
With thanks to J. S. who has shoveled a lot of muck.
A typical city buggy on 10th Street in La Crosse. Seen h… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/st-happens/
