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La Crosse School for the Deaf

In 1886, several citizens of La Crosse successfully petitioned the mayor to establish a school for children with hearing impairments.
(written by Meghan Hoefling, Archives staff) On August 18, 1886, several citizens of La Crosse signed a petition to the mayor requesting the establishment of a school for the d… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-school-for-the-deaf/

Abortion Access in La Crosse

Before the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, all abortions were illegal in the state of Wisconsin. But this doesn't mean they weren't performed. So what did this look like in La Crosse?
(written and researched by Jaci Bedtka, UWL Public History Intern Fellow) CONTENT WARNING: This article contains descriptions of unsafe abortions and the complications that fol… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/abortion-access-in-la-crosse/

Sundown Towns and La Crosse

Have you wondered about La Crosse’s 2016 sundown town designation? This blog guides you through the primary sources that provide evidence for local anti-Black discrimination, and the original research that led to the proclamation that La Crosse is a sundo…
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) CONTENT WARNING: This blog post contains primary source images that use anti-Black language.  In 2016, Mayor Tim Kabat si… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/sundown-towns-and-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/

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/

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/

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/

Hillview Health Care property - 100+ years of care

From poor farm to county home to a multi-level senior campus, Hillview has changed with the times and continues with tradition.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) The property now known as Hillview was originally the city poor farm which was begun soon after the city of La Crosse was incorporated in 185… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/hillview-health-care-property-100-years-of-care/

La Crosse's Drug Problem

Break-ins and robberies to support drug habits. Parents chasing after their addicted children trying to get them help. Addicts begging doctors and pharmacists for prescriptions. This is La Crosse’s drug problem … 100 years ago.
(written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff) La Crosse Tribune, 16 April 1915 Break-ins and robberies to support drug habits. Parents chasing after their addicted… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosses-drug-problem/

The Big Fellow

La Crosse has had its share of colorful characters, but few cast as long of a shadow as Thomas “Big Fellow” McDonough.
 (Written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff) La Crosse has had its share of colorful characters, but few cast as long of a shadow as Thomas “Big Fellow” McDonough. An enormous … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-big-fellow/

Ye Olde Courthouse

La Crosse County's third courthouse dated from an era when public buildings were grand in size and impressive in style.
(written by Megan of the Archives Staff) In this photo is La Crosse County’s third courthouse, which opened in 1904. It was in the heart of downtown, on a block surrounded … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/ye-olde-courthouse/

La Crosse Heads to the Polls

In just over a week, on April 2nd, the people of La Crosse will go to the polls to elect a new mayor. 100 years ago, on April 1st, 1913, they did the same thing.
(written by Cate Putirskis, Archives Staff) In just over a week, on April 2nd, the people of La Crosse will go to the polls to elect a new mayor. 100 years ago, on April 1st… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-heads-to-the-polls/

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