La Crosse Public Library Archives

Search Blog

Architectural Styles and Revivals

This is the first of a series of blogs on the major architectural styles used in La Crosse during the nineteenth century.
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, UWL Emeritus Professor of Art History) This is the first of a series of blogs on the major architectural styles used in La Crosse during the ninetee… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/architectural-styles-and-revivals/

John Gund's Empire

In 1853, La Crosse had yet to become incorporated and did not yet have a brewery. John Gund likely saw the opportunity to support his family and use his work experience to his advantage.
(written by Sarah Ludington, Archives staff) 1873 City directory advertisement Johannes Gund arrived in New York City, from Germany in 1848, just eighteen and with a b… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/john-gunds-empire/

The Oldest Extant House in La Crosse

While it's hard to nail down completely, read about the contenders for oldest surviving house in La Crosse.
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, UWL Emeritus Professor of Art History) This topic is covered in much more detail in my forthcoming book Immigrants All. Contact the Archives Depart… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-oldest-extant-house-in-la-crosse/

Neighbors Making History: Simon Markle - The King of Corn

Simon Markle, a farmer in the town of Shelby, made news for his prize-winning corn in the early 1900s. His efforts to educate farmers on scientific farming methods also contributed to the advancement of agriculture in La Crosse County.
(written by Jeff Rand, retired Adult Services Librarian) Corn fields are ubiquitous in the Wisconsin countryside. During this season of corn pickers and combines making their … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/neighbors-making-history-simon-markle-the-king-of-corn/

The Candy Kid: La Crosse's Own Ed Konetchy

La Crosse native Edward Konetchy was best known in major league baseball by his moniker as "Koney."
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) A postcard of first baseman Edward John Konetchy in his St. Louis Cardinal uniform, 1908 Known by various nicknames,… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-candy-kid-la-crosses-own-ed-konetchy/

The La Crosse Housing Authority, 1946-1985

When it formed in 1946, the La Crosse Housing Authority was faced with massive housing shortages. Over the course of the next 40 years, the Authority managed to build 12 public housing developments to help address housing insecurity in La Crosse.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) In her book about the history of the La Crosse Housing Authority, local historian Susan Hessel explained the national and regional … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-la-crosse-housing-authority-1946-1985/

La Crosse YMCA: The First 140 Years

Celebrate the 140th anniversary of the La Crosse chapter of the YMCA with a look back at their history from the collections of the La Crosse Public Library Archives.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Earlier this year, the LPLA Archives celebrated the 140th anniversary of St. Francis hospital by recounting its history from the late… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-ymca-the-first-140-years/

La Crosse's Snow Bowl, or "The Alps of the Mississippi"

In 1930, La Crosse opened its first official ski hill—the Snow Bowl, which would become one of the most respected ski hills in the Midwest. La Crosse hosted skiers far and wide so they could try out the “Alps of the Mississippi.”
(research for this blog was completed by Carla Swerman, former Archives staff, and Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff; written by Jenny DeRocher) In the 1930s, as the Great Depress… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosses-snow-bowl-or-the-alps-of-the-mississippi/

Stinkytown and the Flies

Wire screen, while an easily overlooked modern convenience now, was an incredible innovation in the late 1800s that dramatically improved the quality of life of La Crosse citizens.
(written by Dr. Les Crocker and Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) Movies and TV productions set in the past always present a sanitized version of how life really was. With… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/stinkytown-and-the-flies/

The Legacy of St. Francis Hospital

Throughout the 20th century, the Franciscan Sisters running St. Francis Hospital partnered with like-minded physicians before ultimately joining one of the world’s most renowned medical systems.
(written by Meghan Hoefling, Archives staff) Last week, we dove into the trials of opening and operating St. Francis Hospital in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. World … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-legacy-of-st.-francis-hospital/

The Founding Sisters of St. Francis Hospital

Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare recently broke ground on a new hospital building, expanding an already substantial campus, but none of it would have been possible were it not for the vision and devotion of an order of Franciscan Sisters …
(written by Sarah Ludington, Archives staff) In 2022, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare broke ground into the block bounded by West Avenue and Mississippi Stree… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-founding-sisters-of-st.-francis-hospital/

Adult Prom: Rockin' Through the Decades

Join your friends at the La Crosse Public Library’s first-ever Adult Prom fund raiser event celebrating Rockin’ through the Decades from the 1950s-2010s on April 22 at the Concordia Ballroom!
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) The Adult Prom event has been postponed so stay tuned for another date. When that event does happen, a special exhibit wil… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/adult-prom-rockin-through-the-decades/

1932 George Washington Bicentennial Celebration

The 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth was a reason for La Crosse and its citizens to celebrate.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) In the worst depths of the Great Depression in 1932, the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth was a reason for the United S… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/1932-george-washington-bicentennial-celebration/

Hmong Diaspora Exhibit

From January 22 to February 28, 2023, a boutique exhibition of vintage Hmong clothing, artifacts, and history exploring the long journey from the mountains of Laos, across the Mekong to the shores of the Mississippi will be on display at the La Crosse Pub…
Photo courtesy of Anita Taylor Doering. On January 22, 2023, an exhibition of vintage Hmong clothing, artifacts, and history exploring the long journey from the mou… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/hmong-diaspora-exhibit/

Port-A-Potties are Really Mobile Outhouses

The grass is greener where the outhouse stood (unsubstantiated but perhaps a take-off of a poem by Walt Whitman).
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, UWL Emeritus Professor of Art History) Dedicated to Anita who unwittingly provided the inspiration. The grass is greener where the outhouse stoo… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/port-a-potties-are-really-mobile-outhouses/

Neighbors Making History: Ford Sterling, "La Crosse's Movie Star"

In the years just before World War I, Ford Sterling was starting an almost 25-year career that would lead him to appearing in almost 300 Hollywood movies, largely by working for every major Hollywood studio from 1920 to 1930.
(written by Jeff Rand, retired Adult Services librarian) In the years just before World War I, Ford Sterling, born George Franklin Stich in La Crosse, Wisconsin, was starting … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/neighbors-making-history-ford-sterling-la-crosses-movie-star/

Looking Back (2022)

A look back at the local history stories shared by the La Crosse Public Library Archives in 2022.
Archives staff/volunteers/interns/guest historians put together a lot of great blog posts in 2022; please take a moment to check out these local history topics by clicking on the … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-2022/

Dorothea M. Fox: The Pedaling Librarian

In August 1939, a librarian working in Cedar Rapids, IA named Dorothea M. Fox decided to hop on her new, light-weight, 3-speed Schwinn and ride by herself to her childhood home in La Crosse.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) In August 1939, a librarian working in Cedar Rapids, Iowa named Dorothea M. Fox decided to hop on her new, light-weight, 3-speed Sch… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/dorothea-m.-fox-the-pedaling-librarian/

Houses for a Hundred Dollars

In 1888 a local contractor talked to a newspaper reporter about local building costs, "LA CROSSE IS THE PLACE TO BUILD CHEAP HOUSES"
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History) People are always curious as to what something cost in the “good old days.” In an earlier blog I talked about s… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/houses-for-a-hundred-dollars/

Lucky Lindy's Legacy

Charles Lindbergh Shannon or “Lindy” was known to La Crosse teenagers of the late 1950s and 1960s as the “man behind the music.”
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Lindy Shannon at the controls at WKBH radio. Photo courtesy of Peter Hansen. Charles Lindbergh Shannon or “Lindy” wa… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lucky-lindys-legacy/

« Previous 1234567...13 Next »