La Crosse Public Library Archives

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall tours

This September, join Archives staff member Jenny on history tours in four La Crosse neighborhoods: Downtown, Caledonia Street, UW-La Crosse/Goosetown, and the Franciscan Neighborhood.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) This September, join Archives staff member Jenny on history tours in four La Crosse neighborhoods: Due to popular demand,… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-of-la-crosse-fall-tours/

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… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-looking-ahead/

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 … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-movie-palaces/

Guilty Soldier on the Run

Joe Goins of Company F, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division might have been a great soldier if not for his incredibly short fuse.
(Excerpted from the Dark La Crosse Tour, research by Bill Petersen, text by Michael Scott) 122 S. 5th Ave., just across the street from the Hollywood Theater, was the site of F… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/guilty-soldier-on-the-run/

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,… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/find-your-place-100-years-ago-with-sanborn-maps-online/

Big Movie Comes To Town

On November 14, 1915, America’s first epic motion picture came to La Crosse.
(written by Bill Petersen, Archives Staff) On November 14, 1915, America’s first epic motion picture, “The Birth of a Nation,” came to the Majestic Theater at 514 Main St. in L… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/big-movie-comes-to-town/

One Last Drink For The Road

How did La Crosse celebrate the last New Year’s Eve before the Prohibition era took effect on January 16, 1920?
(written by Bill Petersen, Archives Staff) December 31, 1919 was the last New Year’s Eve to be celebrated before the Prohibition era took effect on January 16, 1920. So how did… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/one-last-drink-for-the-road/

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