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/

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/

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/

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/

Looking Back ('17) - Looking Ahead ('18)

A look back at the stories we told in 2017, and a look ahead at the programs planned for 2018.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Archives staff put together alot of great blog posts in 2017, so before looking ahead to the 2018 program schedule, please take a mom… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-looking-ahead/

Road Trip to La Crosse...Through Time

Horse and buggy days were tough for long travel in La Crosse.
(by Anita Doering, Archives Staff) Horse and buggy days were tough for long travel in La Crosse. Distance that could be covered in a day was limited as was assistance for t… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/road-trip-to-la-crosse...through-time/

From the Vault: Early La Crosse Aviation

The first regularly scheduled airmail service to La Crosse started on June 7, 1926.
(Originally written by Bill Petersen, retired Archives staff) With renovations at La Crosse Regional Airport unveiled last week, what better time to share a little bit of La Cros… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/early-la-crosse-aviation/

1935 Crash Leads to New Cass Street Bridge

A single car caused a deadly bridge collapse that cut off land traffic between La Crosse and Minnesota in 1935.
(written by David Kranz, Archives Staff) A single car caused the destruction you see in the above photo, an accident that involved the deaths of two people and cut off lan… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/1935-bridge-accident-leads-to-new-cass-street-bridge/

The End of the War, and the End of the Street Car

On November 11, 1945, the last street car to service the North Side of the city made its final run.
(Written by Bill Petersen, Archives Staff) At 12:20 a.m. on November 11, 1945, the last street car to service the North Side of the city made its final run. A little more than s… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-end-of-the-war-and-the-end-of-the-street-car/

Search Blog