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/

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/

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, a historic La Crosse congregation, is planning to close its doors on August 25, 2019.
(written by Megan, archives staff) On November 16, 1870, Pastor P. Asbjornsen, pastor of the Bostwick Valley Lutheran church, organized St. Paul’s Norwegian Evangelical Lut… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/st.-pauls-lutheran-church/

The Heart of Downtown, La Crosse

Explore how one intersection has changed over time: known as the Heart of Downtown, 3rd & Main.
(written by Jenny DeRocher, Archives Staff) As our built environment continues to change around us every day, it’s important to check in and think about what spaces around us u… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-heart-of-downtown-la-crosse/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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