La Crosse Public Library Archives

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/

Looking Back ('17) - Looking Ahead ('18)

A look back at the stories we told in 2017, and a look ahead at the programs planned for 2018.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) Archives staff put together alot of great blog posts in 2017, so before looking ahead to the 2018 program schedule, please take a mom… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-looking-ahead/

Emma Cameron - Toast of the Northwest or Femme Fatale?

The first marriage in the young community of Prairie La Crosse occurred in 1846 between Peter and a woman who was called “the toast of the Northwest,” the beautiful Emma (Eastman) Kellogg Van Sickle Cunningham.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Peter Cameron was an early settler in La Crosse arriving in 1843 just a year following Nathan Myrick’s arrival. He was of Yank… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/emma-cameron-toast-of-the-northwest-or-femme-fatale/

Homegrown Weather

One of only 122 weather offices throughout the nation, La Crosse’s National Weather Service history has been as ever-changing and unpredictable as Mother Nature.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff, with assistance from meteorologists at La Crosse’s National Weather Service) This time of year, “Is it going to snow?” is a common qu… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/home-grown-weather/

Happy Farmer Tractors

About 100 years ago, La Crosse was a major source of happy farmers – Happy Farmer tractors, that is.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) About 100 years ago, La Crosse was a major source of happy farmers – Happy Farmer tractors, that is. A series of three-wheeled an… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/happy-farmer-tractors/

Genealogy on the Internet Classes

The Archives Department is again presenting genealogy computer classes in the Main Library computer lab.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) Come one, come all. The Archives Department is again presenting computer classes in the Main Library computer lab. One session will be on … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/genealogy-on-the-internet-classes1/

2017 Dark La Crosse Radio Show

A new production of the popular Dark La Crosse Radio Show will open at the Pump House Regional Arts Center on October 26, 2017.
(adapted from press release by Joe Hammes) WHAT: The Dark La Crosse Radio Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King Street WHEN: October 26-28 at 7:30… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/2017-dark-la-crosse-radio-show/

Nellie Mann Opdale

Pastor to La Crosse’s Saints, Sinners and Suffragists
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) Image courtesy of Harvard-Andover Theological Library On Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 3pm at the La Crosse Public Library … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/nellie-mann-opdale/

Walter "Babe" Weigent

Coach Weigent's high expectations as well as his encouragement to “Get in the game [of life]!” helped him instill character while re-establishing a golden era of football for the Central Red Raiders.
(written by Carla Swerman, Archives staff) For most coaches, the foremost goal is to win. But, for legendary coaches, such as John Wooden or Vince Lombardi, building character … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/walter-babe-weigent/

School Daze

When Logan school at Avon and Sill streets burned, work began on a replacement school at that same location.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) When Logan school at Avon and Sill streets burned, work began on a replacement school at that same location. This school was designated Logan… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/school-daze/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2017 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-2017-walking-and-bus-tours/

Royal Norwegian Visitors

On the screen flickered a sleek Hiawatha train headed straight for the camera.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives Staff) On the screen flickered a sleek Zephyr train headed straight for the camera. Soon a couple stepped off the train surround… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/royal-norwegian-visitors/

Ghosts of Historic La Crosse Walking Tours

So fun and informative, it's scary!
** Offered June through September, 2017 ** Sunday through Thursday Nights ** 7:30pm and 9:00pm Cost only $10 per person Part of the proceeds benefit La Crosse Public Libr… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/ghosts-of-historic-la-crosse-walking-tours/

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