La Crosse Public Library Archives

The Octagonal Mystery

What was it? Who built it? Why was it built? When was it built? Why was this odd building never mentioned La Crosse architecture histories in the last century and a half?
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, retired art history professor and architectural historian) It was not a good day. Late-November sleet bounced off the windows of the Special Collecti… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-octagonal-mystery/

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/

Emma Cameron - Toast of the Northwest or Femme Fatale?

The first marriage in the young community of Prairie La Crosse occurred in 1846 between Peter and a woman who was called “the toast of the Northwest,” the beautiful Emma (Eastman) Kellogg Van Sickle Cunningham.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Peter Cameron was an early settler in La Crosse arriving in 1843 just a year following Nathan Myrick’s arrival. He was of Yank… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/emma-cameron-toast-of-the-northwest-or-femme-fatale/

Homegrown Weather

One of only 122 weather offices throughout the nation, La Crosse’s National Weather Service history has been as ever-changing and unpredictable as Mother Nature.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff, with assistance from meteorologists at La Crosse’s National Weather Service) This time of year, “Is it going to snow?” is a common qu… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/home-grown-weather/

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/

Genealogy on the Internet Classes

The Archives Department is again presenting genealogy computer classes in the Main Library computer lab.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) Come one, come all. The Archives Department is again presenting computer classes in the Main Library computer lab. One session will be on … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/genealogy-on-the-internet-classes1/

2017 Dark La Crosse Radio Show

A new production of the popular Dark La Crosse Radio Show will open at the Pump House Regional Arts Center on October 26, 2017.
(adapted from press release by Joe Hammes) WHAT: The Dark La Crosse Radio Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King Street WHEN: October 26-28 at 7:30… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/2017-dark-la-crosse-radio-show/

Nellie Mann Opdale

Pastor to La Crosse’s Saints, Sinners and Suffragists
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Image courtesy of Harvard-Andover Theological Library On Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 3pm at the La Crosse Public Library … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/nellie-mann-opdale/

Walter "Babe" Weigent

Coach Weigent's high expectations as well as his encouragement to “Get in the game [of life]!” helped him instill character while re-establishing a golden era of football for the Central Red Raiders.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) For most coaches, the foremost goal is to win. But, for legendary coaches, such as John Wooden or Vince Lombardi, building character … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/walter-babe-weigent/

School Daze

When Logan school at Avon and Sill streets burned, work began on a replacement school at that same location.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) When Logan school at Avon and Sill streets burned, work began on a replacement school at that same location. This school was designated Logan… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/school-daze/

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/

Royal Norwegian Visitors

On the screen flickered a sleek Hiawatha train headed straight for the camera.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) On the screen flickered a sleek Zephyr train headed straight for the camera. Soon a couple stepped off the train surround… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/royal-norwegian-visitors/

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/

1860s La Crosse Tea Cakes

To get a glimpse of what would go into preparing a basic snack for visitors in the 1860s, we can look at a La Crosse resident’s handwritten cookbook.
(written by Hannah L. Weber, Archives staff) La Crosse was incorporated as a city in 1856 with a population of almost 2,000 persons. By the post Civil War era of the late 1860s… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/1860s-la-crosse-tea-cakes/

June is Dairy Month!

La Crosse’s Dolly Madison Dairy at Front and Main Streets, in business under that name from 1939-1965, grew from several local and area businesses.
(written by Carole Mullen, Archives Volunteer) La Crosse’s Dolly Madison Dairy at Front and Main Streets, in business under that name from 1939-1965, grew from several local an… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/june-is-dairy-month/

Hillview Health Care property - 100+ years of care

From poor farm to county home to a multi-level senior campus, Hillview has changed with the times and continues with tradition.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) The property now known as Hillview was originally the city poor farm which was begun soon after the city of La Crosse was incorporated in 185… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/hillview-health-care-property-100-years-of-care/

La Crosse and the Great War

Stories of La Crosse citizens taking up different roles for the war effort during World War I are recorded and expressed in the collections held at the La Crosse Public Library Archives.
(written by Hannah Weber, Archives staff) April 6, 2017 marks 100 years since Congress voted to declare war on Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, cueing the United States… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-and-the-great-war/

Jewish Structures in La Crosse

While many structures have been used for Jewish religious purposes in La Crosse over time, it wasn't until 1857 when written evidence of a Jewish religious community began to sprout.
(written by Ed Hill, Emertius Director of Special Collections, Murphy Library, UWL, May 2009) While many structures have been used for Jewish religious purposes in La Crosse … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/jewish-structures-in-la-crosse/

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/

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