La Crosse Public Library Archives

A La Crosse Institution - Doerflinger's Department Store

As was common in towns all over the United States, the La Crosse downtown was the retail center of the city and Doerflinger’s department store was a downtown anchor.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff) As was common in towns all over the United States, the La Crosse downtown was the retail center of the city and Doerflinger’s department stor… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/a-la-crosse-institution-doerflingers-department-store/

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/

In Hot Pursuit of the Truth

Discover the truth behind the photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt speaking to a La Crosse crowd in 1903.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff, and Doug Connell, Archives Volunteer) On a routine basis, the La Crosse Public Library Archives receives gifts from benefactor… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/in-hot-pursuit-of-the-truth/

The One and Only Sunrise Drive Arts Festival

The Sunrise Drive Arts Festival was an art show and competition for kids that took place in La Crosse on August 16, 1962.
(written by Bill Petersen, Archives staff) The Sunrise Drive Arts Festival sounds like it might have been some major art show in California of Florida. It was actually an art s… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-one-and-only-sunrise-drive-arts-festival/

New Old Church in La Crosse

The Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman at 6th and Main is the second church to occupy this site, and has a long history.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) Coming west on Main Street, as the road shifts left at 6th street, you are greeted by the Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. This … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/new-old-church-in-la-crosse/

Minimum Wage for Women... in 1913

On the evening of April 3, 1913 the Franklin Club, a debate society on the North Side, argued over the question of “Should the State of Wisconsin enact a minimum wage law of eight dollars a week for women?”
(written by Bill Petersen, Archives Staff) On the evening of April 3, 1913 the Franklin Club, a debate society on the North Side, argued over the question of “Should the Sta… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/minimum-wage-for-women...-in-1913/

Fires in Winter

Fighting fires with water in freezing temperatures makes for some very compelling photography.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) As winter (hopefully) winds down, I thought it might be interesting to share some of the La Crosse Fire Department photos of fires in… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/fires-in-winter/

Lovely La Crosse Park is Formerly a Public School Site

Weigent Park, the lovely park on Cass Street that enhances the neighborhood with a softball field, tennis courts, playground equipment and green space, was once the site of a public school building.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff) Weigent Park is a lovely park on Cass Street (between 15th and 16th streets) that enhances the neighborhood with a softball field, tennis cou… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lovely-la-crosse-park-is-formally-a-public-school-site/

Bell From County’s Third Courthouse Stands at 4th and Vine

The bell displayed at the corner of 4th and Vine Streets has a long and interesting history.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) An audience member at a performance of the Dark La Crosse Tour: Radio Show asked whether the bell at the corner of 4th and Vine Streets… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/bell-from-countys-third-courthouse-stands-at-4th-and-vine/

Guilty Soldier on the Run

Joe Goins of Company F, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division might have been a great soldier if not for his incredibly short fuse.
(Excerpted from the Dark La Crosse Tour, research by Bill Petersen, text by Michael Scott) 122 S. 5th Ave., just across the street from the Hollywood Theater, was the site of F… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/guilty-soldier-on-the-run/

Take a 'Walk' on the Dark Side

The Dark La Crosse Tour: Radio Show is coming soon to the Pump House Regional Arts Center.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) IF YOU GO WHAT: Dark La Crosse Tour: The Radio Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King Street WHEN: 7:… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/take-a-walk-on-the-dark-side/

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like... Christmas Decorations

Greenery and lights have decorated downtown La Crosse during the holiday season for many years.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) Greenery and lights have decorated downtown La Crosse during the holiday season for many years. Decorations on 4th Street in the 1960’s… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like...-christmas-decorations/

Find Your Place 100+ Years Ago with Sanborn Maps Online

One of the best tools researchers have to help understand city development are maps made by insurance companies in the late 1800s through the mid-1900s.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) Sometimes it can be hard to imagine just what a building, street, or neighborhood looked like a century ago. Historic photos are great,… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/find-your-place-100-years-ago-with-sanborn-maps-online/

Stoddard Hotel was a Show Place

Built in the Elizabethan-Corinthian style, The Stoddard was then the only fireproof hotel in the state when it opened in 1904.
(Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff, and Carole Mullen, Archives Volunteer) Many “old timers” remember the Stoddard Hotel. It was built to be THE premier hotel in La Crosse … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/stoddard-hotel-was-a-show-place/

Sandbaggers' Ball

In the spring of 1965, the city of La Crosse hosted the Sandbaggers’ Ball, an event to thank the young people of the city for all their help rendered during the terrible flood that year.
(written by Bill Petersen, Archives staff) A “sandbagger’s ball” might be a phrase used on the golf course to describe the golf ball of a person who lies about their handicap t… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/sandbaggers-ball/

La Crosse Tribune Buildings Through the Years

The La Crosse Tribune has called four downtown buildings home over the course of its 110 years in operation.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) The La Crosse Tribune has called four downtown buildings home over the course of its 110 years in operation. It began in 1904 on the… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-tribune-buildings-through-the-years/

La Crosse Woman Would Have Been the First Mary Kay

Ruth Johnson Maurer, wife of Dr. Albert A Maurer, first started making face powders and creams in the basement of their home in 1903.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) When Ruth Johnson Maurer, wife of Dr. Albert A Maurer, first started making face powders and creams in the basement of their home in 1903 she… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-woman-would-have-been-the-first-mary-kay/

Marsh Masque

Nearly one century ago, on a June evening in 1915, a crowd of 1,000 people attended an outdoor pageant at Myrick Park titled “The Masque of Marsh and River.”
(written by David Kranz, Archives Staff) People of La Crosse have long celebrated our area’s natural beauty. Some have been moved to celebrate it in art – in paintings, photos… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/marsh-masque/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2014 Walking and Bus Tours

Join the La Crosse Public Library Archives for a series of tours highlighting historic and architecturally significant residences and buildings in La Crosse.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Join the La Crosse Public Library Archives for a series of tours highlighting historic and architecturally significant residences and… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-of-la-crosse-2014-walking-and-bus-tours/

Amundsen Visits the South Pole... and La Crosse

On February 9, 1913, Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer credited with leading the first expedition to reach the South Pole, gave two lectures at the La Crosse Theatre.
(Written by Bill Petersen, Archives staff) On February 9, 1913, Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer credited with leading the first expedition to reach the South Pole, ga… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/amundsen-visits-the-south-pole...-and-la-crosse/

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