La Crosse Public Library Archives

Vigilantes in La Crosse

One night in 1857, La Crosse was "overrun with scoundrels," as the local Committee on Vigilance took over the city, inciting a mob and setting fires.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) In 1856, most of the U.S. population was clustered on the east coast. Minnesota was not yet a state, so pioneer Wisconsin towns al… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/vigilantes-in-la-crosse/

Digging into the Past - The LPL Archives Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Almost 100 years after the La Crosse Public Library opened its doors in November 1888, the Archives and Local History program began to serve the public in December of 1980.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) The original Archives reading room, 1988 Almost 100 years after the La Crosse Public Library opened its doors i… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/digging-into-the-past-the-lpl-archives-celebrates-40-years-of-service/

Looking Back (2020)

A look back at the local history stories and resources shared by the La Crosse Public Library Archives in 2020.
Archives staff/volunteers/guest historians put together a lot of great blog posts in 2020; please take a moment to check out these local history topics and digital resources avail… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-at-2020/

The Cannon in Riverside Park

Today, the cannon serves as a multi-war memorial, but where did it come from and why is it in Riverside Park?
Written by Sam Ott and Jenny DeRocher, edited by Anita Taylor Doering. The cannon in Riverside Park has been an attraction since it was placed there over 100 years ago. It had a … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-cannon-in-riverside-park/

Explore the Layered History of La Crosse

This September, LPLA is launching a History Club. Functioning similar to a book club, each month the club facilitators will announce two small activities that will explore our city's layered history.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) The La Crosse Public Library Archives has launched a new program series: a History Club! Functioning like a book club, the Histo… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/explore-the-layered-history-of-la-crosse/

La Crosse in the 1918 Pandemic

Just over 100 years ago, returning World War I troops brought the deadly “Spanish Flu” from Europe.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) “No great ship sank, no armies clashed, no conflagration consumed a community. The flu spread insidiously by means of ordinar… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-in-the-1918-pandemic/

11 La Crosse History & Genealogy Resources You Can Use from Home

Here is a guide to using our website to access digitized materials, subscription databases, and other free resources.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Sad the Archives Department is closed? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here is a guide to using our website to access digitized m… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/11-la-crosse-history-and-genealogy-resources-you-can-use-from-home/

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… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/city-heat-a-forgotten-utility/

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/

Man-Lay Garden: The Miracle on Main Street

Spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce’s new member Richard Morse in 1966, the “La Crosse Beautiful Committee” took on “The Hole at 4th and Main” to beautify the spot.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) German immigrant George Linker and two of his brothers joined forces to purchase lots at 324-328 Main Street, the burned-out r… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/man-lay-garden-the-miracle-on-main-street/

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/

Pettibone Park

Albert and Cordelia Pettibone privately funded, built, maintained and then gifted La Crosse its first large park.
(written by Samuel Ott, Archives intern) It is nearly impossible to measure the impact that Albert W. Pettibone and his wife Cordelia have had upon the city of La Crosse. They p… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/pettibone-park/

Voices of La Crosse: History Tours

On October 12, join two La Crosse Public Library Archives interns on tours exploring themes in La Crosse history.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) On October 12, join two La Crosse Public Library Archives interns on tours exploring themes in La Crosse history. The Voices of La C… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/voices-of-la-crosse-history-tours/

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/

A One-of-a-kind Cave in La Crosse County

“Pictured Cave” was discovered in October of 1878 when an 18-year-old named Frank was raccoon hunting on the family farm.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) This blog is one-of-a-kind in the Archives Department’s “cave” of local history stories. First, its content pre-dates the other blogs… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/a-one-of-a-kind-cave-in-la-crosse-county/

Looking Back at 1969

Even as it was happening, 1969 was recognized as a seminal year in American history and that has only become more true as we’ve gotten farther away from it.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Even as it was happening, 1969 was recognized as a seminal year in American history and that has only become more true as we’ve gott… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-at-1969/

Centennial Garden and the South Side Neighborhood Center

In early 1999, plans for a possible site for the proposed Southside Neighborhood Community Center coalesced on the SW corner of Hood and 6th Streets, with the idea that 3 blighted buildings would be either partially restored or torn down completely to cle…
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) In the past 50 years, historic preservation has become a key piece of what makes La Crosse unique. Three residential neighborhoods h… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/centennial-garden/

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/

LPL Archives' Hidden Treasures

Even regular patrons of the La Crosse Public Library at 800 Main Street can be uncertain of what the Archives area on the second floor is all about.
(Video produced by Carla Swerman, Anita Taylor Doering, and Scott Brouwer, Archives staff; blog written by Swerman) Even regular patrons of the La Crosse Public Library at 800 … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lpl-archives-hidden-treasures/

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