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Guide to the Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1927
MSS 001
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- This study of the 1927 survey of Wisconsin city services covers La Crosse. Services examined were libraries, health, social welfare, municipal government, city planning and zoning, rural relations, religion, education, industry and recreation. The "Better Cities" contest was sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference of Social Work. These reports consist of eleven parts --ten on the above named topics and one publication called "History Index" which is a brief history of La Crosse by Albert H. Sanford. The reports include photos, maps, newspaper clippings and other documentation, as well as outlines of survey questions and answers.
- Collection Title
- Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Date of Materials
- 1927
- Creator
- Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wis..
- Call Number
- MSS 001
- Amount
- 1.6 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 4 archives boxes
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin, MSS 001, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Historical Note
In 1926 the Wisconsin Conference of Social Work sponsored a survey of city services in La Crosse. The purpose was to assess strengths and weaknesses. Ten committees of La Crosse citizens formed to study the following areas: libraries, health, social welfare, municipal government, city planning and zoning, town and rural relations, religion, education, industry, and recreation.
In February 1929 Aubrey W. Williams, General Secretary for the Wisconsin Conference of Social Work, presented the judges' opinions to the Common Council. He published these same results one year later (see The La Crosse Citizens' Survey, 1930). La Crosse scored well on town and country relations, libraries, family social work, municipal government with the exception of fire protection, and education. La Crosse scored low on city planning and zoning largely because of piecemeal regulations and no overall city plan. Recreation scored low because of poor public facilities. Health services scored low although they were rated above the median score for six other cities.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of eleven reports on various topics which are labeled "publications." These publications were the result of the subject committees' efforts to gather information on La Crosse to present to a panel of judges. The majority of the collection, publications 1-10, outline the given questions on the survey, followed by answers and supporting evidence. The survey questions deal with services and programs, funding and expenses, publicity, communications and cooperation among other agencies. Included in these reports are a wealth of information represented by photographs, maps, blueprints, postcards, newspaper clippings, graphs, bulletins, official forms, and curriculum guides, as well as some narrative data.
The newspaper clippings are very specific and are not indexed other than being labeled "newspaper clippings." For instance, the section on industry includes articles on G. Heileman Brewing Company, Tri-State Ice Cream, Iron Products Corporation, La Crosse Garment Company, and the Salzer Seed Company to name but a few of the many industries represented.
The final publication "History Index" is a brief history of La Crosse by Albert H. Sanford. Also included in this section is an index to the exhibits or supporting evidence of the preceding ten reports.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 1988
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
Donor unknown; came to the Archives through the Reference Department. (Accession No. x.025)
Processing Information
Processed by Nancy Steinhoff, 1988.
Related Materials
Related Materials
- (361.977571 L119 1930)
- The La Crosse Citizens' Survey, 1930
- (MSS 009)
- American Legion Community Survey of La Crosse Papers, 1930
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wis..
Geographic Name(s)
- La Crosse County (Wis.)--Social services
Subject(s)
- Social service--Wisconsin--La Crosse County
OCLC Number
28416989
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Public Library (Publication 1, pages 1-119) |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Health (Publication 2, pages 120-318) |
1 | 2-3 | ||
|
Social Welfare (Publication 3, pages 319-490) |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Public Administration (Publication 4, pages 586-787) |
2 | 2-4 | ||
| Box | Folder | Box | Folder | |
|
Town Planning & Zoning (Publication 5, pages 491-637) |
1 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Town/Country Relations (Publication 6, pages 789-942) |
2 | 5-6 | ||
|
Religion (Publication 7, pages 943-1093) |
3 | 1-2 | ||
|
Education (Publication 8, pages 1094-1291) |
3 | 3-6 | ||
|
Industry (Publication 9, pages 1292-1415) |
4 | 1-2 | ||
|
Recreation (Publication 10, pages 1415-1799) |
4 | 3-5 | ||
|
History & Index (Publication 11, pages 1800-1808) |
4 | 6 | ||