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Looking Back (2018) - Looking Ahead (2019)

A look back at the stories we told in 2018, and a look ahead at the programs planned for 2019.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Archives staff put together alot of great blog posts in 2018, so before looking ahead to the 2019 program schedule, please take a mom… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-2018-looking-ahead-2019/

The Oldest Catholic Church in La Crosse

St. Mary's began as a frame building at what would become the NE corner of 7th St. and Cameron Ave. in 1856.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) In the May 17, 1853 edition of the La Crosse Democrat was a notice that a visiting French missionary priest, Rev. Lucian Glatier, would hold … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-oldest-catholic-church-in-la-crosse/

The Perfect Storm: Armistice Day 1940

Some bad weather days live on in infamy. Such is the case with the Nov. 11, 1940, Armistice Day storm, often referred to as “The Day the Duck Hunters Died.”
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) History does repeat itself!  It is equally true that Mother Nature can be fickle.  Amidst glorious days of sunshine and warmth, she p… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-perfect-storm-armistice-day-1940/

Letters Home from World War I

Earlier this fall, the La Crosse Public Library Archives staff found over 60 pages of letters that Sergeant Roy Vingers sent home to his family during his time in service.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Sergeant Roy L. Vingers, of Company B of the 128th Regiment Infantry (64th Infantry Brigade), was one of the first WWI casualties fr… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/letters-home-from-world-war-i/

2018 Dark La Crosse Show

A new production of the popular Dark La Crosse Show will open at the Pump House Regional Arts Center on November 9, 2018.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff)     WHAT:  The Dark La Crosse Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King Street WHEN: November 9-10 & … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/2018-dark-la-crosse-show/

Max’s Auto Wrecking Company

Max’s Auto Wrecking Company began in 1934. This business was located in the former Wisconsin Pearl Button Works building located at 726 3rd Street North just south of the La Crosse River.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) What "gearhead" who is into classic and custom cars wouldn't love to go back in time to get their hands on some of these vintag… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/maxs-auto-wrecking-company/

Beautifying Oak Grove Cemetery

Like other cities with rural cemeteries, La Crosse used Oak Grove Cemetery to draw migrants to the area.
(written by Erika Lichtfuss, UW-L Capstone Project; edited by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) Picture this. A family pulls into the drive of a local cemetery. The car winds aro… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/beautifying-oak-grove-cemetery/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2018 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-fall-2018-walking-and-bus-tours/

High Waters in '65

The 145-year-old river gauge measured its highest elevation on April 21, 1965: 17.9 feet!
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) The past three summers, water levels have been high on area waterways.  With the Mississippi River in La Crosse hovering around 10 fee… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/high-waters-in-65/

Post-World War II Emergency Housing Project

When veterans returned to La Crosse after World War II, they found a huge housing shortage.
(written by William Petersen, former Archives Staff) When veterans returned to La Crosse after World War II, there was a huge housing shortage.  By January 1946, the city’s Comm… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/post-world-war-ii-emergency-housing-project/

Local Actor Made it Big in Hollywood

Charles Dierkop's big break, and what made him a recognizable face if not a household name, were his co-starring roles alongside Paul Newman and Robert Redford in 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and 1973’s “The Sting”.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Charles Dierkop was born in La Crosse in 1936 and raised by an aunt and uncle at 1550 Denton St.  He attended Holy Trinity grade scho… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/local-actor-made-it-big-in-hollywood/

John W. Birney and his family: early African American residents of La Crosse

Some of the earliest La Crosse settlers were African Americans, moving to northern states, attracted to the same opportunities as others coming into the area.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives staff) Many of the first European-descendant settlers who are credited with establishing La Crosse were fur-traders, loggers, and merchants.… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/john-w.-birney-and-his-family-early-african-american-residents-of-la-crosse/

Reading the River

While the technology for reading the Mississippi River’s water levels has advanced over time, the equipment itself has stood at almost the very same spot for 145 years.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) “Few things in life stay the same.” How true! Yet, something that has defied change for 145 years is the river gauge at the south end o… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/reading-the-river/

How Old is My House?

If you live in the city of La Crosse, the La Crosse Public Library Archives can probably help answer this question.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) If you live in the city of La Crosse, the La Crosse Public Library Archives can probably help answer this question.  The Archives collections i… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/how-old-is-my-house/

Logan High School: What's in a Name?

Why was it called it Logan High School? How do you figure out how a place got its name?
(written by David Kranz, former Archives Staff) Sources of the names of most La Crosse schools aren’t too hard to figure out.  For example, Lincoln Middle School memorializes A… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/logan-high-school-whats-in-a-name/

Footsteps of La Crosse Spring 2018 walking 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-spring-2018-walking-tours/

First Presbyterian Church

The first Presbyterian service in La Crosse was held in May of 1866 and the First Presbyterian Church formally organized on August 23, 1866.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) On May 6, 1866 Presbyterian minister Rev. J. Irwin Smith preached the first Presbyterian service in La Crosse and helped formally organize th… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/first-presbyterian-church/

Genealogy on the Internet classes 2018

Join us for two new genealogy classes this month.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives manager) Join us for two new genealogy classes this month.  To register, call the Reference Desk at 608-789-7122 to reserve a spac… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/genealogy-on-the-internet-classes-2018/

Mother Nature: Setting Records in La Crosse

Thanks to the detailed documentation by the National Weather Service here in La Crosse, we can easily determine extreme weather records.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) Weather is undeniably one of the most popular topics of conversation.  We regularly question what weather is in store for us in the n… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/mother-nature-setting-records-in-la-crosse/

The Octagonal Mystery

What was it? Who built it? Why was it built? When was it built? Why was this odd building never mentioned La Crosse architecture histories in the last century and a half?
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, retired art history professor and architectural historian) It was not a good day. Late-November sleet bounced off the windows of the Special Collecti… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-octagonal-mystery/

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