This is a finding aid (or, description) of materials available in the La Crosse Public Library Archives. At this time, none of the materials listed below are accessible over the internet.
Contact the Archives to learn more about using these materials.
Guide to the La Crosse Bridge Association Records, 1935-1940
MSS 087
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- Also known as the “Citizens Bridge Committee” and the “La Crosse Bridge Dedication Committee,” the La Crosse Bridge Association (La Crosse, Wis.) sought to promote the construction of a new trans-channel Mississippi River Bridge and arrange for its public dedication. This group came into existence shortly after a sudden traffic accident caused the failure of the municipal wagon bridge (built in 1891). The collection consists of records of the La Crosse Bridge Association from 1935 and 1940. Materials include correspondence, minutes, committee materials, financial records, article/history drafts, and a photographic scrapbook documenting the new Cass Street bridge (Mississippi High Bridge) parade and dedication held on September 23, 1939.
- Collection Title
- La Crosse Bridge Association Records
- Date of Materials
- 1935-1940
- Creator
- La Crosse Bridge Association (La Crosse, Wis.).
- Call Number
- MSS 087
- Amount
- 0.4 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 1 archives box
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], La Crosse Bridge Association Records, MSS 087, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Historical Note
The La Crosse Bridge Association was formed the afternoon following the partial collapse of the municipal Wagon Bridge in the early morning of August 9, 1935. A one-car traffic accident killed two of the four people in the vehicle. The tragedy resulted in a citizen’s committee formed by the Chamber of Commerce to promote the building and erection of a new bridge across the Mississippi River. Ironically, Alderman Sherman Lennon had first proposed construction of a new bridge to the La Crosse Common Council two months prior to the accident on June 14, 1935.
The new bridge was built with Wisconsin highway funds from the appropriation for special bridges and regular federal aid funds. The city of La Crosse furnished the right of way for the bridge. Construction of the Mississippi River High Bridge (Cass Street bridge) began in August of 1937 and a dedication ceremony was held on September 23, 1939. The La Crosse Bridge Association held its final meeting in February of 1940.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes records of the La Crosse Bridge Association from 1935 and 1940.
After the initial folder of information about the collapse of the wagon bridge, subsequent folders include committee materials, such as fireworks, parade, race and traffic. Other files include correspondence, financial records, minutes, miscellaneous, personnel, La Crosse Tribune Bridge Edition drafts, and a scrapbook.
The scrapbook contains many original photographs that appeared in the La Crosse Tribune newspaper the day after the dedication, and include a copy of the original printed invitation, ribbons, and parade and dedication ceremony photographs.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically therein chronologically.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 2005 May
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
(Accession no. 2005.044) Donated by the La Crosse County Historical Society, May 2005; previously donated to the LCHS by the La Crosse Bridge Association representatives in 1940
Processing Information
Processed by Katie Adams and Anita Taylor Doering, May 2005
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- La Crosse Bridge Association (La Crosse, Wis.).
Geographic Name(s)
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Societies, etc.
Subject(s)
- Bridges--Accidents--Wisconsin--La Crosse
- Bridges--Mississippi River
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Wagon bridge collapse, 1935 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Committee materials, 1939 |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Fireworks |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Parade |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Race |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Traffic |
1 | 5 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Correspondence, 1939-1940 |
1 | 6-8 | ||
|
Financial records, 1939 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Minutes, 1935-1940 |
1 | 10-11 | ||
|
Miscellaneous materials, 1939 |
1 | 12 | ||
|
Personnel |
1 | 13 | ||
|
La Crosse Tribune Bridge Edition drafts (by Alfred W. Rice), 1939 |
1 | 14 | ||
|
Scrapbook, 1939 |
1 | 15 | ||