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Adult Prom: Rockin' Through the Decades

Join your friends at the La Crosse Public Library’s first-ever Adult Prom fund raiser event celebrating Rockin’ through the Decades from the 1950s-2010s on April 22 at the Concordia Ballroom!
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) The Adult Prom event has been postponed so stay tuned for another date. When that event does happen, a special exhibit wil… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/adult-prom-rockin-through-the-decades/

The Poisoned Pharmacist

Early German immigrant Adalbert Moeller was a recognized businessman and community leader in La Crosse when the disastrous accident that took his life occurred.
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History) Image of Adalbert Moeller's drug store ad in the 1866 La Crosse city directory Adalbert Moeller was one … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-poisoned-pharmacist/

Roll out the Barrel!

How did La Crosse's Oktoberfest actually start? Some say it began on the golf course in 1960.
(written by Mary Dunn, former Library staff) The tapping of the Golden Keg marks the official start to Oktoberfest. This scene from 1964 features Fest Master Roy Kumm of the … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/roll-out-the-barrel/

La Crosse’s German Vereins: Their Rise and Decline, Part 2

When the Great War broke out in 1914, German Americans found themselves sympathizing with their homeland politics, yet firmly identifying as American. When the US left its neutrality behind and joined the conflict in 1917, these German Americans had to de…
(Written by Gabriel Eagon, UWL Capstone Project, edited by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) By 1914, La Crosse’s German community had experienced a demographic decline for nearly… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosses-german-vereins-the-consequences-of-world-war-i-part-2/

La Crosse's German Vereins: Their Rise and Decline, Part 1

La Crosse is known to have strong German roots, thanks to things like the brewing industry and the large annual Oktoberfest celebration. But how did early, first-generation German immigrants socialize and preserve their culture? They created Vereins—socie…
(Written by Gabriel Eagon, UWL Capstone Project, edited by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) Many readers will no doubt be familiar with La Crosse’s German roots, thanks to the ci… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosses-german-vereins-their-rise-and-decline-part-1/

Frohsinn Singing Society

Through much of the scrutiny and cultural pressure placed on German-Americans in Wisconsin during the First and Second World Wars, the Frohsinn Singing Society, a German-American singing group in La Crosse, met and raised their voices on high.
(written by Hannah L. Weber, Archives intern) Frohsinn Singing Society, 1907; Nord Stern 50th Anniversary special issue, p. 77 As citizens of La Crosse, Wiscons… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/frohsinn-singing-society/

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/