La Crosse Public Library Archives

Neighbors Making History: Frank Pooler, "The Railroad Dick"

An Onalaska man, Frank Pooler, was a “railroad bull” or “railroad dick,” in La Crosse for 31 years.
(written by Jeff Rand, retired Adult Services librarian) “Bulls.” “Dicks.” “Shacks.” These were all slang terms for the men employed by railroads as their own private police… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/neighbors-making-history-frank-pooler-the-railroad-dick/

Our Lady of Lourdes

In less than 30 years at the beginning of the 20th century, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church went from an exciting new opportunity for Syrian Catholics in North La Crosse to a dilapidated building in such disrepair that it was unceremoniously razed to …
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) La Crosse Tribune 19 August 1934 In less than 30 years at the beginning of the 20th century, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Ch… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/our-lady-of-lourdes/

History Tours this May

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… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/history-tours-this-may/

The Rubber Mills Blues

"It was just blue in there!" reported Herman Tietz, as he described working in the La Crosse Rubber Mills factory on days where they cured rubber in the ovens. Tietz worked at the factory starting in 1908—just over a decade after the Rubber Mills opened.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) The La Crosse Rubber Mills Company, Inc. opened its doors in 1897 on La Crosse's North Side. In the early years, the compan… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-rubber-mills-blues/

Historic La Crosse Fire Stations

Take a photo journey through past and present fire stations.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Organized fire-fighting in La Crosse is almost as old as the city itself. Prior to and shortly after the city of La Crosse was offic… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/historic-la-crosse-fire-stations/

Concrete Block Houses

A look at a local DIY building boom, or at least a "boomlet", using home-made concrete blocks.
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, retired art history professor and architectural historian) Need any Concrete Blocks? There is a long history of DIY (Do It Yourself) in the Unit… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/concrete-block-houses/

Looking Back (2019)

A look back at the stories we told in 2019.
Archives staff/interns put together a lot of great blog posts in 2019; please take a moment to check out these local history topics explored by clicking on the blog titles or phot… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-at-2019/

2019 Dark La Crosse Show

The La Crosse Public Library Archives is proud to present a new production of the popular Dark La Crosse Show.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) WHAT: The Dark La Crosse Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King Street WHEN: November 1-2 & 7-9 at… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/2019-dark-la-crosse-show/

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/

Footsteps Returns!

This May, join Archives staff on four of the revamped Footsteps of La Crosse tours.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Have you ever wondered… What did Main Street look like at the turn of the 20th century? Were there any historically promi… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-returns/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2018 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 … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-of-la-crosse-fall-2018-walking-and-bus-tours/

High Waters in '65

The 145-year-old river gauge measured its highest elevation on April 21, 1965: 17.9 feet!
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) The past three summers, water levels have been high on area waterways. With the Mississippi River in La Crosse hovering around 10 fee… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/high-waters-in-65/

Logan High School: What's in a Name?

Why was it called it Logan High School? How do you figure out how a place got its name?
(written by David Kranz, former Archives Staff) Sources of the names of most La Crosse schools aren’t too hard to figure out. For example, Lincoln Middle School memorializes A… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/logan-high-school-whats-in-a-name/

130 Years of Library Service

In celebration of its 130th anniversary, learn how the La Crosse Public Library came to be.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) The original library building was located in the same spot as today, at the SE corner of Main and 8th Streets, ca. 1900 … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/130-years-of-library-service/

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… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/school-daze/

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/

The North White Way

On September 3, 1915, thousands of people turned out on the North Side to “see the light” for the very first time.
(written by Bill Petersen, former Archives Staff) On September 3, 1915, thousands of people turned out on the North Side to “see the light” for the very first time. The “light”… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-north-white-way/

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