La Crosse Public Library Archives

Tracking Down Tribune Articles -- Virtually

If you've ever wanted to find a La Crosse Tribune article, you may find what you are looking for in a unique database created by the Archives Department at the La Crosse Public Library.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) Have you ever wanted to re-read a sports or crime-related article that you saw in the La Crosse Tribune years ago? Have you ever had… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/tracking-down-tribune-articles-virtually/

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/

How Does COVID-19 Affect You?

In an attempt to capture the current atmosphere in La Crosse during the ongoing public health crisis, the LPLA is asking you to share your stories and add your voice to our historical record.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) The La Crosse Public Library Archives & Local History Department (LPLA) actively collects papers, records, photographs, and materi… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/how-does-covid-19-affect-you/

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/

Presidential Visits: Grover Cleveland in 1887

In the fall of 1887, President Grover Cleveland became the first sitting U.S. President to visit La Crosse.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) La Crosse Chronicle 8 October 1887 As the first Democrat elected President of the United States since James Buchanan – a me… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/presidential-visits-grover-cleveland-in-1887/

Winter Rec-Fest

The first Winter Rec-Fest was held in February 1987.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) The first Winter Rec-Fest was held in February 1987. La Crosse Tribune 25 January 1987 p20 Announced activities included cross … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/winter-rec-fest/

Keep Your Family Healthy... with Beer

After passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, local breweries began to advertise around the healthiness or “purity” of their products.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) When President Teddy Roosevelt signed the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act, it was in response to the national outcry at unsanitary pract… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/keep-your-family-healthy...-with-beer/

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/

'Tis the 25th Season for Rotary Lights

This 2019 holiday season marks the 25th year of the Rotary Lights display in La Crosse's Riverside Park.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) For many Coulee Region residents, La Crosse’s Rotary Lights has become a holiday tradition. In fact, the 2019 display marks the 25th… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/tis-the-25th-season-for-rotary-lights/

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/

2019 Dark La Crosse Show

The La Crosse Public Library Archives is proud to present a new production of the popular Dark La Crosse Show.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) WHAT: The Dark La Crosse Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King Street WHEN: November 1-2 & 7-9 at… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/2019-dark-la-crosse-show/

Pettibone Park

Albert and Cordelia Pettibone privately funded, built, maintained and then gifted La Crosse its first large park.
(written by Samuel Ott, Archives intern) It is nearly impossible to measure the impact that Albert W. Pettibone and his wife Cordelia have had upon the city of La Crosse. They p… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/pettibone-park/

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/

From Mechanic's Grease to Sudsy Brews

The building that now houses the Popcorn Tavern has a history tied to the early automotive industry here in La Crosse.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Joseph S. Arenz, a German immigrant, was involved financially with the retail automotive industry in its infancy in La Crosse,… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/from-mechanics-grease-to-sudsy-brews/

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/

Cracking the Chiropractic Controversy

La Crosse made history in 1907 when a local Japanese chiropractor, Dr. Shegetaro Morikubo, proved that chiropractics and osteopathy are not the same.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) “Some people swear by them, while others swear at them” is a common saying that can be applied to many things in life, including chiro… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/cracking-the-chiropractic-controversy/

Centennial Garden and the South Side Neighborhood Center

In early 1999, plans for a possible site for the proposed Southside Neighborhood Community Center coalesced on the SW corner of Hood and 6th Streets, with the idea that 3 blighted buildings would be either partially restored or torn down completely to cle…
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) In the past 50 years, historic preservation has become a key piece of what makes La Crosse unique. Three residential neighborhoods h… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/centennial-garden/

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