La Crosse Public Library Archives

'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. Shegetero 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/

LPL Archives' Hidden Treasures: Teaser Trailer for Footsteps

Join Jenny as she gives a sneak peak into two different Footsteps tour stops to learn an interesting relationship between two La Crosse neighborhoods.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) In this new Hidden Treasures video, follow La Crosse Public Library Archives staff member Jenny as she discusses how the Hoeschler H… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/hidden-treasures-teaser-trailer-for-footsteps/

Footsteps Returns!

This May, join Archives staff on four of the revamped Footsteps of La Crosse tours.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Have you ever wondered… What did Main Street look like at the turn of the 20th century? Were there any historically promi… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/footsteps-returns/

Get Ready to Race!

A natural amphitheater provided the perfect spot for a race track on La Crosse's North Side.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Ad from the La Crosse Tribune dated July 21, 1956 If you’re into stock car racing or racing in general, you may have kno… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/get-ready-to-race/

LPL Archives' Hidden Treasures: La Crosse Tribune Articles

Have you ever wanted to re-read a La Crosse Tribune article from years ago?
(Video produced by Carla Swerman, Anita Taylor Doering, and Scott Brouwer, Archives staff; blog written by Swerman) Have you ever wanted to re-read a La Crosse Tribune article … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lpl-archives-hidden-treasures-la-crosse-tribune-articles/

The 1948 Centennial

In July of 1948 the city of La Crosse celebrated their centennial, and the state of Wisconsin centennial, with several events including a parade.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) In July of 1948 the city of La Crosse celebrated their centennial, and the state of Wisconsin centennial, with several events including a par… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-1948-centennial/

LPL Archives' Hidden Treasures

Even regular patrons of the La Crosse Public Library at 800 Main Street can be uncertain of what the Archives area on the second floor is all about.
(Video produced by Carla Swerman, Anita Taylor Doering, and Scott Brouwer, Archives staff; blog written by Swerman) Even regular patrons of the La Crosse Public Library at 800 … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lpl-archives-hidden-treasures/

Brooks' Bloodhounds

George Brooks (1897-1978) was a La Crosse resident who had two jobs: 1) serving ice cream and soda at the Bodega Lunch Club, and 2) training bloodhounds for police investigations.
(Written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) George Brooks (1897-1978) was a La Crosse resident who had two jobs: 1) serving ice cream and soda at the Bodega Lunch Club, … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/brooks-bloodhounds/

A Tribute to Dr. Bruce Mouser

When Dr. Bruce Mouser retired from teaching at UWL in 1996, he got serious about doing more extensive research on the African American community history in La Crosse.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Although Dr. Bruce Mouser was an active UWL faculty member when I arrived in La Crosse in the role of archivist in 1989, I rea… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/a-tribute-to-dr.-bruce-mouser/

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