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/
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/
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/
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/
Where did folks head to eat 50 or 60 or 70 years ago?
(written by Megan, Archives staff)
In thinking about where to grab a bite in La Crosse there is everything from fine dining (The Waterfront) to casual (Pickerman’s) to the ubiq… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/lets-do-lunch/
While the Rivoli still operates as a theater in downtown La Crosse, over a dozen movie theaters that could rightfully be called movie palaces have been lost to history.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff)
For the third year in a row, Dave Solie of WXOW News 19 has come to us to do background research on a film industry related story to … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosse-movie-palaces/
In January of 1921 and 1922, La Crosse held a four-day event known as the Winter Carnival.
(written by Megan, Archives staff)
In January 1921 La Crosse held the “first annual” Winter Carnival. Another was held the next year.
The Winter Carnival included a “big ou… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/winter-carnival/
Wilma Peters owned and operated Wilma's Beauty Salon for over 40 years in downtown La Crosse.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff)
Wilma Peters owned and operated Wilma's Beauty Salon in downtown La Crosse for over 40 years. In 1952, after attending the St. P… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/wilmas-beauty-salon/
Leona Linker was a leader in women's fashion and has the patent to prove it.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff)
Leona Foerster was born in La Crosse to George & Catherine Foerster. Taught to sew at an early age (the usual for the day), and apprentic… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-leona/
Break-ins and robberies to support drug habits. Parents chasing after their addicted children trying to get them help. Addicts begging doctors and pharmacists for prescriptions. This is La Crosse’s drug problem … 100 years ago.
(written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff)
La Crosse Tribune, 16 April 1915
Break-ins and robberies to support drug habits. Parents chasing after their addicted… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/la-crosses-drug-problem/
For a town built by the lumber industry like La Crosse, the threat of fire held a particular terror.
(written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff)
For a town built by the lumber industry like La Crosse, the threat of fire held a particular terror. On the morning of April 6, 1886… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/fire/
On Grandad Bluff is a plaque noting that the first church service in La Crosse was held June 23, 1850, on the bluff, by a traveling Episcopal minister.
(written by Megan, Archives staff)
On Grandad Bluff is a plaque noting that the first church service in La Crosse was held June 23, 1850, on the bluff, by a traveling Episcopal… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/christ-episcopal-church/
The 2015 La Crosse History Hunt, held during Historic Downtown Day on October 10, was a resounding success.
(written by Julia Roden and Calli Niemi, Archives interns)
The public history field attempts to bridge the gap between society and the academic world. To cross this gap, publ… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/2015-la-crosse-history-hunt/
