La Crosse Public Library Archives

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/

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/

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/

Let's Do Lunch

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/

La Crosse Movie Palaces

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/

Winter Carnival

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's Beauty Salon

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/

The Leona

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/

Footsteps of La Crosse Fall 2016 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-2016-walking-and-bus-tours/

Parades! Picnics! Flags! Fireworks! La Crosse Celebrates the 4th of July

La Crosse has been celebrating the birthday of America since 1846.
(written by Megan, Archives staff) La Crosse has been celebrating the birthday of America since 1846. On July 3 that year Captain Nichols from Black River Falls docked his raft… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/parades-picnics-flags-fireworks-la-crosse-celebrates-the-4th-of-july/

La Crosse's Drug Problem

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/

Burns Fruit House

John C. Burns opened his wholesale Fruit House in 1883.
(Written by Megan, Archives staff) Wholesale oyster seller in La Crosse? The Burns Fruit House was. John C. Burns opened his wholesale (with limited retail sales at certain … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/burns-fruit-house/

Fire!

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/

Christ Episcopal Church

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/

2015 La Crosse History Hunt

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/

Take a 'Walk' on the Dark Side Redux

The Dark La Crosse Tour: Radio Show is back on the Pump House stage for 5 performances, starting October 30.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering and Scott Brouwer, Archives Staff) IF YOU GO WHAT: Dark La Crosse Tour: The Radio Show WHERE: Pump House Regional Arts Center, 119 King … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/take-a-walk-on-the-dark-side-redux/

See Dr. Crocker & Latest Book Oct. 12

You can get an introduction to our local houses and buildings from a new book, La Crosse Buildings Through Time, and enjoy a program by its author Oct. 12.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) There are good times ahead for area architecture. Why do I say this? Because interest in historical architecture is on the rise in La … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/see-dr.-crocker-and-latest-book-oct.-12/

The Big Fellow

La Crosse has had its share of colorful characters, but few cast as long of a shadow as Thomas “Big Fellow” McDonough.
(Written by Barry McKnight, Archives staff) La Crosse has had its share of colorful characters, but few cast as long of a shadow as Thomas “Big Fellow” McDonough. An enormous … https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-big-fellow/

A La Crosse Institution - Doerflinger's Department Store

As was common in towns all over the United States, the La Crosse downtown was the retail center of the city and Doerflinger’s department store was a downtown anchor.
(written by Megan, Archives Staff) As was common in towns all over the United States, the La Crosse downtown was the retail center of the city and Doerflinger’s department stor… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/a-la-crosse-institution-doerflingers-department-store/

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