La Crosse Public Library Archives

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/

Historic Mueller Buildings Destroyed by Fire

Our community is grieving the loss of two historic buildings in downtown La Crosse from a devastating fire last month
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) Mueller buildings, 300 block of South 4th Street, on fire 28 April 2022. Photo taken by Don Murphy Our community is … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/historic-mueller-buildings-destroyed-by-fire/

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/

S**t Happens

To what lengths did early La Crosse residents go to account for their transportation animals'... uh... waste?
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History) With thanks to J. S. who has shoveled a lot of muck. A typical city buggy on 10th Street in La Crosse. Seen h… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/st-happens/

La Crosse Center: The First 40 Years

With the opening of the $42 million addition to the La Crosse Center in December, it seems a fitting time to take a look back at the La Crosse Center’s first 40+ years.
written by Scott Brouwer, Archives Staff With the opening of the $42 million addition to the La Crosse Center in December, it seems a fitting time to take a look back at the La… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-center-the-first-40-years/

Looking Back (2021)

A look back at the local history stories shared by the La Crosse Public Library Archives in 2021.
Archives staff/volunteers/interns/guest historians put together a lot of great blog posts in 2021; please take a moment to check out these local history topics by clicking on the … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-2021/

Grand Temporary Performance Venue Built for 1908 Saengerfest

With no auditorium, or even a music hall capable of housing more than a few hundred people, La Crosse was awarded the honor of hosting the 1908 Saengerfest, a biennial music festival attended by thousands of singers and music lovers from all parts of the …
(Written by Scott Brouwer, Archives Staff) With no auditorium, or even a music hall capable of housing more than a few hundred people, La Crosse was awarded the honor of hostin… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/grand-temporary-performance-venue-built-for-1908-saengerfest/

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/

The Segelke & Kohlhaus Manufacturing Company

The Segelke & Kohlhaus Manufacturing Company was a major manufacturing concern in downtown La Crosse for over 100 years.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) The Segelke & Kohlhaus Manufacturing Company was a major manufacturing concern in downtown La Crosse for over 100 years. The compa… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-segelke-and-kohlhaus-manufacturing-company/

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/

Presidential Visits: William Howard Taft in 1909

President William Howard Taft’s visit on September 17, 1909 had a local connection and a specific purpose – his Yale classmate and La Crosse civic leader George W. Burton invited him here to dedicate the city’s new YMCA building at Seventh and Main Street…
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Unlike President Cleveland’s visit in 1887 and President Roosevelt’s visit in 1903, President William Howard Taft’s visit on Septembe… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/presidential-visits-william-howard-taft-in-1909/

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/

Relics of the Old Post Office

Near the entrance of the La Crosse Post Office, there is a series of terra cotta tiles on display. With no context or informative panel nearby, they seem to be mysterious relics of the past. These artifacts are among the only remaining materials left of…
(written by Megan Isely and Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Commemorative wall featuring terra-cotta panels, lanterns, and U.S. POST OFFICE brass lettering from the Old Post O… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/relics-of-the-old-post-office/

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/

200 Pearl Street Returns to Roots as a Hotel

The Holiday Inn Express at 2nd and Pearl was the site of a 19th-century hotel/boarding house before becoming the site of a railroad depot for over 80 years.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) In 1881, the La Crosse city directory listed 200 Pearl Street as the home of Jacob Shook who was also running a 'hotel' at his home called th… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/hotels-at-200-pearl-street/

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/

"Billie Button" and the Wisconsin Pearl Button Company

The Wisconsin Pearl Button Company first opened in 1900 and quickly became one of the largest employers in La Crosse, employing nearly 225 people in 1902.
(written by Johnathon Jaeger, Archives intern) The logo for “The Story of My Life by ‘Billie Button.’” Scan is courtesy of the UWL Murphy Library Special Collections & Are… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/billie-button-and-the-wisconsin-pearl-button-company/

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/

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