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La Crosse's Snow Bowl, or "The Alps of the Mississippi"

In 1930, La Crosse opened its first official ski hill—the Snow Bowl, which would become one of the most respected ski hills in the Midwest. La Crosse hosted skiers far and wide so they could try out the “Alps of the Mississippi.”
(research for this blog was completed by Carla Swerman, former Archives staff, and Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff; written by Jenny DeRocher) In the 1930s, as the Great Depress… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosses-snow-bowl-or-the-alps-of-the-mississippi/

City Heat: A Forgotten Utility

City heat was a separate centralized heating system that was distributed to south side La Crosse customers for 70 years from 1899-1969.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) City heat was a separate centralized heating system that was distributed to south side La Crosse customers for 70 years from 1… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/city-heat-a-forgotten-utility/

Winter Rec-Fest

The first Winter Rec-Fest was held in February 1987.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) The first Winter Rec-Fest was held in February 1987. La Crosse Tribune 25 January 1987 p20 Announced activities included cross … http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/winter-rec-fest/

The Perfect Storm: Armistice Day 1940

Some bad weather days live on in infamy. Such is the case with the Nov. 11, 1940, Armistice Day storm, often referred to as “The Day the Duck Hunters Died.”
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) History does repeat itself!  It is equally true that Mother Nature can be fickle.  Amidst glorious days of sunshine and warmth, she p… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-perfect-storm-armistice-day-1940/

Winter Carnival

In January of 1921 and 1922, La Crosse held a four-day event known as the Winter Carnival.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) In January 1921 La Crosse held the “first annual” Winter Carnival. Another was held the next year.  The Winter Carnival included a “big ou… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/winter-carnival/

La Crosse Took to the Ice

For 150 years and more, people of La Crosse have been going outside in winter to ice skate.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) For 150 years and more, people of La Crosse have been going outside in winter to ice skate. An 1859 La Crosse newspaper reported that i… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-took-to-the-ice/

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/

Over Fifty Years of Skiing

Mount La Crosse Ski Area has served the Coulee Region with downhill skiing for over fifty years.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) While we hear from our friends in Norway and Finland that their winter has been warm and rather lacking in snow accumulations,… http://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/over-fifty-years-of-skiing/

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