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S**t Happens

To what lengths did early La Crosse residents go to account for their transportation animals'... uh... waste?
(written by Dr. Les Crocker, Emeritus Professor of Art History) With thanks to J. S. who has shoveled a lot of muck. A typical city buggy on 10th Street in La Crosse. Seen h… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/st-happens/

City Heat: A Forgotten Utility

City heat was a separate centralized heating system that was distributed to south side La Crosse customers for 70 years from 1899-1969.
(written by Anita Taylor Doering, Archives staff) City heat was a separate centralized heating system that was distributed to south side La Crosse customers for 70 years from 1… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/city-heat-a-forgotten-utility/

Looking Back (2019)

A look back at the stories we told in 2019.
Archives staff/interns put together a lot of great blog posts in 2019; please take a moment to check out these local history topics explored by clicking on the blog titles or phot… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/looking-back-at-2019/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

Fires in Winter

Fighting fires with water in freezing temperatures makes for some very compelling photography.
(written by Scott Brouwer, Archives staff) As winter (hopefully) winds down, I thought it might be interesting to share some of the La Crosse Fire Department photos of fires in… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/fires-in-winter/

Find Your Place 100+ Years Ago with Sanborn Maps Online

One of the best tools researchers have to help understand city development are maps made by insurance companies in the late 1800s through the mid-1900s.
(written by David Kranz, Archives staff) Sometimes it can be hard to imagine just what a building, street, or neighborhood looked like a century ago. Historic photos are great,… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/find-your-place-100-years-ago-with-sanborn-maps-online/

The End of the War, and the End of the Street Car

On November 11, 1945, the last street car to service the North Side of the city made its final run.
(Written by Bill Petersen, Archives Staff) At 12:20 a.m. on November 11, 1945, the last street car to service the North Side of the city made its final run. A little more than s… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/the-end-of-the-war-and-the-end-of-the-street-car/

Have You Ever Wondered...

Highlighting resources on our new website that will inform your curiosities.
(written by Cate Putirskis, Archives Staff) Do you ever wonder (or remember!) what some of La Crosse's busiest intersections looked like decades ago?  Snap a mental image o… https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/blog/have-you-ever-wondered.../

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