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Guide to the Walter A. Erickson Papers, 1921-2006 (bulk 1930s-1940s)
MSS 101
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- Walter A. Erickson (1920-1993), a La Crosse, Wis., resident worked as a sports writer for the La Crosse Tribune newspaper from 1938-1942, and also freelanced for regional papers regarding local baseball games. Erickson was a sports enthusiast who managed La Crosse city basketball and softball teams, including Sheldon’s Cigar Store Team (basketball) and Ed’s Tavern (softball). Erickson supported local high school teams and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The bulk of the collection consists of materials pertaining to local sports in La Crosse, Wis., and includes newspaper clippings, photographs, and some miscellaneous materials. Some personal papers from Erickson include correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other miscellaneous items.
- Collection Title
- Walter A. Erickson Papers
- Date of Materials [bulk]
- Bulk, 1930-1949
- Date of Materials [inclusive]
- 1921-2006
- Creator
- Erickson, Walter A., 1920-1993
- Call Number
- MSS 101
- Amount
- 0.4 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 1 archives box, 1 flat box
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Walter A. Erickson Papers, MSS 101, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Biographical Note
Walter A. Erickson was born on March 1, 1920, in La Crosse, Wis., to Walter and Loretta (McWillie) Erickson. He had two sisters, Ann Erickson Phalon and Ruth Erickson Young, and one brother, John, who was later a golf pro at North Shore Country Club in Menasha, Wisconsin.
In 1938, Walter A. Erickson graduated from Central High School in La Crosse. Erickson worked as a sports writer for the La Crosse Tribune from 1938 through 1942. He also was a freelance baseball reporter for regional newspapers and The Sporting News. He served in the U. S. Army from Nov. 14, 1942 until Nov. 20, 1945, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Business College in 1948. He married Lorraine Smikla on Aug. 25, 1956, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Erikson worked as a stockbroker for thirty-seven years before retiring in 1985.
Erickson was a sports enthusiast who managed La Crosse city basketball and softball teams, including Sheldon’s Cigar Store Team (basketball) and Ed’s Tavern (softball). He supported local high school teams, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the University of Wisconsin-Badgers, and the Green Bay Packers.
Erickson died in La Crosse on April 5, 1993. His wife, Lorraine, died in La Crosse on January 18, 2006.
Scope and Contents
The Walter A. Erickson Papers consist of a variety materials relating to La Crosse sports and some personal papers relating to Erickson and his family. Correspondence (1939-1967) consists of letters Erickson wrote and received while working as a sports writer for the La Crosse Tribune; personal letters sent from friends, some of whom were serving in the military during World War II; and other miscellaneous letters.
Miscellaneous materials include sports rosters, a 1947 Wisconsin High School Basketball Tournament booklet, and other miscellaneous items.
Newspaper clippings are divided into two categories. The first group of clippings pertains to the Erickson family (1939-2006) and includes articles on Walter A. Erickson and his brother, John Erickson. The second group of clippings focuses on La Crosse sports primarily during the 1930s and the 1940s.
Erickson’s personal papers consist of school report cards, discharge papers from the United States Army, and other miscellaneous materials.
Photographs include pictures of Walter A. Erickson; John Erickson; sports teams from La Crosse, Wis., some of which were managed by Walter A. Erickson; and a few army and army reunion photographs. All photographs are black and white, many are 8 x 10, and individuals are identified in some, but not all, of the photographs.
Related materials consist of a 1942 term paper written by Harvey Gofis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison entitled, “Report on the Accounting and Financial Practices used by the Municipality of La Crosse, Wisconsin.”
A scrapbook kept by Walter A. Erickson contains newspaper clippings pertaining to local sports, a few photographs, and some miscellaneous materials. Some, but not all, of the articles are labeled with the exact date.
Sports articles consist of typewritten articles, written presumably by Walter A. Erickson, pertaining to local and national sports.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 2006
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
(Accession no. 2006.018) Purchased from the Lorraine Erickson estate, April 2006.
Processing Information
Processed by Christine Stolz, 2006
Controlled Access Headings
Personal Name(s)
- Erickson, Walter A., 1920-1993
Subject(s)
- Athletics--Wisconsin--La Crosse
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Correspondence, 1939-1967 |
2 | 1 | ||
|
Miscellaneous, 1929-1987 |
2 | 2 | ||
|
Newspaper clippings |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Erickson family, 1939-2006 |
2 | 3 | ||
|
La Crosse sports, 1922-1990 |
2 | 4 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Personal papers, 1931-1955 |
2 | 5 | ||
|
Photographs, 1921-1950s |
2 | 6 | ||
|
Report on the Accounting and Financial Practices used by the Municipality of La Crosse (Harvey A. Gofis), 1942 |
2 | 7 | ||
| Box | ||||
|
Scrapbook, 1930s-1940s |
1 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Sports articles, 1930s-1940s |
2 | 8 | ||