Welcome! This site features materials from the La Crosse Public Library and organizations that have participated in partner projects with La Crosse Public Library.

Collections are primarily pictorial, although some have accompanying essays and text. Other media are presented, such as newspapers, reports, pamphlets, and maps. The emphasis of these collections is on rare and unique materials.

We invite you to browse the collections through the selections grouped below.

An Analysis of Recreational Use of the Downtown La Crosse River Wetlands by Harriett Moyer (La Crosse, WI: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension Service, Recreation Resources Center), 1989.

A part of the La Crosse River Valley Study Committee's research for comprehensive land use, this investigation into the recreational use of the downtown La Crosse River Valley wetlands is presented.

Cemetery Histories

Histories of most county cemeteries including Native American customs and cemeteries in La Crosse.

Chipmunk Coulee Pioneers and their Early German Methodist Church, 2002/ Compiled by Robert Lorenz, 2002.

Construction, Right of Way Cost Analysis prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Madison, WI : The Dept.), 1991.

Prepared by the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation for the La Crosse River Valley Study committee, this technical report details the construction and right-of-way costs of proposed north-south transportation corridor plans 1 through plan 4B3.

Curb Appeal

The La Crosse Public Library and the City of La Crosse Planning Department have worked together to create a historic look at intersections in the city of La Crosse.  The purpose of this project is to provide an idea of what intersections looked like in 1970 and what changes have occurred to the present date (2003).

Echoes of our Past: Vignettes of Historic La Crosse/Myer Katz (La Crosse, Wis. : The La Crosse Foundation : The Washburn Foundation), 1985.

A series of narratives serve to tell the story of some of La Crosse's more interesting history that is not intended to be scholarly but more popular reading for local history enthusiasts.

Economic Base Studies III : Technical Report prepared by William Colclough, Rex M. Fuller and Douglas Sweetland (La Crosse, WI : University of Wisconsin La Crosse, College of Business Administration), 1984. (note: the original document did not have a date so we cataloged it as 198-. However, in the updated report the authors refer to the 1984 report)

Prepared for the La Crosse Area Planning Committee, this report by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse discusses population, employment, and economic trends of the greater La Crosse area through the year 2005.

Final Environmental Impact Statement : La Crosse North-South Transportation Corridor Study, IH-90 to USH 14/61, USH 53, STH 35, and STH 16, La Crosse County, Wisconsin
by U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Madison, WI? : The Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation), 1998.

This Environmental Impact Statement really pulls together in summary form the different components of the proposed north-south transportation corridor, including archaeology, cultural history, floodplain, noise, recreation, environmental consequences, land use, and the like for alternatives 4A, 4B, 5B-1 and 5B-2, and is just over 390 pages long. Sections include a summary, purpose and need for proposed action, alternatives/recommended alternative, affected environment, environmental consequences, wetlands, comments and coordination during draft EIS preparation and comments and coordination following draft EIS availability and public hearing.

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare: A History researched and written by Susan T. Hessel, edited and coordinated by Ruth E. Purcell (La Crosse, Wis: Franciscan Healthcare), 2002.

Habits and Habitats of Fishes in the Upper Mississippi River /S. Littlejohn et al. (La Crosse, Wis.: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fishery Research Laboratory), 1985.

A Half Century of Wheat and Tares in Bostwick Valley/James Tauscher (Wisconsin: J. Tauscher), 1976.

A 28 page senior church history paper about secularism and the German Freethinkers organization of Barre Mills and the Bostwick Valley area of La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Historic La Crosse : Architectural and Historic Record
by Joan M. Rausch with Richard Zeitlin (La Crosse, Wis. : Architectural Researches, Inc.;
Madison, Wis.? : Historical Resources, Inc.), 1984.

A summary of findings from the Intensive Architectural Survey of La Crosse, 1983-1984 architectural survey of La Crosse, Wisconsin, including chapters on residential, commercial, public and religious buildings, architects, designers and builders, as well as historic districts.

A Historical Analysis of the Lower La Crosse River 1841-Present by Anthony Godfrey (La Crosse, Wis. : U. S. West Research), 1990.

An investigation of the history of the lower La Crosse River Valley and it wetlands from the arrival of permanent white settlement to 1990. The analysis breaks down the river valley into three distinct geographical areas, and then discusses each area within three time periods: 1841-1884; 1885-1919; 1920-present (1990). This study was contracted by the La Crosse River Valley Study committee.

Histories of Roads and Transportation Systems in the La Crosse River Valley by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Madison, Wis.? : The Dept.), 1994.

A part of the La Crosse River Valley Study documents, this report by the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation highlights the history of the transportation routes that traverse the lower La Crosse River Valley in the City of La Crosse. Roads included here are Copeland Avenue, Lang Drive, STH (State Highway) 16, Gorder Road, Gillette Street-CTH (County Road) B-Gateway Access Road. Other history includes that of railroads, electric railways (street cars), and bus transportation.

History of Hogan School compiled by Janince Snowberg with the help of Richard Snowberg (La Crosse, Wis.: Hogan School PTA), 1980.

History Repeats Itself, Annexation of the Town of Campbell

The Town of Campbell was created at the time La Crosse County was organized in 1851.Campbell lost land mass when dams were constructed on the Mississippi River in the 1930s.  By 1954 the Town of Campbell had been split in two by the southern growth of the city of Onalaska and the northern growth of the city of La Crosse.   As a result, the town of Medary was formed west of Oak St., leaving the borders of the Town of Campbell largely to French Island and its environs.

This grouping of articles highlights the ongoing discussion between the Town of Campbell and the City of La Crosse regarding annexation, boundaries, efforts to cooperate, and public services such as water.   Since 1983 the city has tried to actively encourage Campbell residents to annex to the city. A court decision in 2002 over annexation led to a split: the city of La Crosse gained some properties on Hiawatha Island, a small island east of French Island, while ruling that annexation into French Island itself was invalid.  Also several moves to incorporate as a village began as early as 1966 and with the most recent effort as late as 2002.

History Repeats Itself, Evelyn Hartley

Evelyn Hartley was a 15 year old high school student who disappeared from a home on La Crosse’s south side during a babysitting job in Oct. 1953. Evidence suggested that Evelyn was taken against her will, but despite diligent efforts on behalf of the police, sheriff and other law enforcement agencies, this case has never been solved.

History Repeats Itself, Floods

Major floods of the Mississippi River have greatly influenced where national, state and local project money has gone over the years. This collection of articles highlights the record-setting floods that La Crosse residents have experienced in 1880, 1951, 1952, 1965, 1969, 1993, 1997 and 2001. While the flood gage has been moved over time, the National Weather Bureau identifies the top five record high Mississippi River crests at La Crosse in this order: 1965, 1880, 2001, 1969, 1952.

History Repeats Itself, Generosity of the People of La Crosse

The people of La Crosse are generous and this collection of articles highlights some of the philanthropic efforts to help other people. Topics include food pantries and community gardens, community philanthropic events, volunteerism, and some specific organizations.

History Repeats Itself, Grandad Bluffs

Grandad Bluff, the tallest bluff in the area, has been a focal point of the La Crosse community. Limestone rock was quarried from the bluff and this served as a source of building material for many years. However, when the property was about to be sold for large scale quarrying, La Crosse citizens were outraged. A prominent family, Joseph & Irene Hixon, bought the property in 1909 holding it in trust until it was donated as park to the city of La Crosse in 1912.During this time, local citizens, lead by Mrs. G. C. Hixon, raised $15,000 to purchase the property and to help build public roads. Along with this purchase was some property below the bluff which became the nucleus of Hixon Forest.

History Repeats Itself, Hixon Forest

Hixon Forest traces it roots to the founding of Grandad Bluff as a park. It was donated to the city in 1912 as a park.  This collection of articles highlights the beginning of the trail system, a cooperative effort of the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce and La Crosse Park & Recreation Department, to the new “This is Not a Trail” (TNT) mountain bike trail that leads through Hixon Forest connecting on top of Grandad Bluff to the Human Powered Trail. Some land acquisitions and the beginning of the Nature Center are also highlighted.

History Repeats Itself, "J.S." Fire

On June 25, 1910, the excursion Steamboat “J. S.” burned and sank near Victory, Vernon County, with close to 1000 people on board. The trip left from Lansing, Iowa, and was bound for La Crosse, Wis., 30 miles up the Mississippi River. At 6 p.m. the “J. S.” left La Crosse to make her return trip.

Fire was detected and the pilot steered the boat toward shore as the passengers panicked. Within two minutes of the ringing of the fire bell, Pilot George Nichols pulled the “J. S.” alongside Bad Axe Island where crew members pulled out the gangplank for passengers to exit. In the end, two people were killed, including a man held in the boat’s hold for being disruptive and intoxicated. The boat burned and sank about 300 feet from shore.

History Repeats Itself, "James Malbon" Explosion

James Malbon, a La Crosse steamboat captain, was piloting a new steamboat named for him when a flaw in the boiler caused it to explode on July 30, 1872, near North McGregor, Iowa. At the time of the accident, the 29 year-old captain was in the pilot house and was killed in the explosion. According to newspaper accounts, eight people were killed or lost, 13 saved and four were listed as wounded. The official inspector’s report said eight of the crew were killed and five injured.

The cost of construction of the 120 ton boat was $14,000 and it was built for the Keator Lumber Company. This explosion caused a stir as raft boats, such as the “James Malbon,” were more likely to explode than the more powerful packet boats. In the end, inspectors determined that the cause of the accident was great recklessness and carelessness on the part of W. Harvey Pierce, second engineer, on watch at the time. His license was revoked. The engines were salvaged and later placed in the Robert Ross built in 1873.

History Repeats Itself, Natural Beauty

One of the features residents and newcomers like about La Crosse is its natural beauty located so close to their work and home environments. Topics in this category range from towering bluffs, urban wetlands (the marsh) and bird life in the Seven Rivers Region (Coulee Region).

History Repeats Itself, North-South Corridor Dispute

An ever present issue facing La Crosse city planners and officials since the mid 1940s has been the discussion of building a north-south road through the La Crosse River Valley and the wetland area known as the marsh. Follow this controversy from 1946 to the passing of an advisory referendum in 1998 blocking the city from spending money on the road. A north-south corridor is still in the plans of the La Crosse Area Planning Committee and the issue is far from decided.

History Repeats Itself, Onalaska Church Murders

On the morning of February 7, 1985, Bryan Stanley, 29, shot and killed Father John Rossiter, lay minister Ferdinand Roth and parish custodian William Hammes at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska. Stanley had a deep interest in religion and when picked up by police near the crime scene he told officers that he was Elijah. He was allegedly upset that Father Rossiter allowed girls to read the Scriptures during Mass as the pope authorized. In the end, Stanley was judged insane and not legally responsible for the slayings.

Stanley is still being held in the state’s mental health facility. Bryan Stanley’s mother, Mary, was successful in 1996 in helping to change Wisconsin law to include a “fifth standard” for commitment to allow families of mentally ill adults to seek help through an involuntary commitment process for a person who is unable or unwilling to seek help on his or her own.

History Repeats Itself, School Boundaries

Changes in school boundaries have often sparked controversy among parents of school-aged children. Follow the changes since 1949, read about the beginning of the neighborhood school concept in 1971, the 1979 controversy of redrawing the line for high school attendance in the district, the progressive socio-economic balancing goals in 1991-1992, and the need again in 2002 to provide socio-economic balance and diversity among the elementary population.

History Repeats Itself, Ten Commandments Controversy

The Ten Commandments Monument was donated to the city and dedicated in Cameron Park in conjunction with a state Eagles Club convention held in La Crosse in 1965. Seen as a religious symbol on public property, a lawsuit in 1985 sparked a court battle between the Freedom From Religion Foundation, led by Anne Gaylor, and the city. The case was dismissed in 1988. The issue resurfaced in 2001 with more local citizen support, and the city sold the small parcel of land where the monument stands to the Eagles Club in 2002.

History Repeats Itself, Terry A. Dolowy Murder

One of the Coulee Region’s unsolved murders is that of 24 year-old Terry A. Dolowy of Barre Mills, La Crosse County, Wisconsin. On February 14, 1985, Dolowy was reported missing from her Bostwick Valley Trailer Court mobile home by her boyfriend Russell Lee. Days later, on Feb. 18, passersby found her headless, burning body near a culvert on Mohawk Valley Road in Vernon County. Her head and her white poodle Suzie were never recovered. No one has yet been convicted as her killer.

History Repeats Itself, "War Eagle" Tragedy

On May 14, 1870, the “War Eagle”, a sidewheel packet boat, arrived at La Crosse. She dropped off passengers at the city landing at State and Front streets, then proceeded north to the railroad depot on the Black River to take on freight and await the midnight train from Milwaukee. When the train arrived, passengers and freight were transferred to the "War Eagle" for transport to St. Paul, MN. Among the items loaded were wooden barrels filled with “Danforth’s Non-Explosive Petroleum Fluid” – a kind of lamp oil. While not explosive, it turned out to be quite flammable.

While loading the barrels onto the “War Eagle,” it was reported to Capt. Thomas Cushing that one of the barrels was leaking. The Captain ordered the boat’s carpenter to fix it. Soon, the barrel was ablaze as well as the ship’s carpenter. He jumped into the water to extinguish the fire from his clothes. The barrel was rolled off the left side of the boat, a barge lay alongside, preventing the crew from rolling it into the water. Fire and black smoke rapidly spread to the wooden boat. Only five people are believed to have lost their lives as a result. However, many other buildings and trains were damaged, and freight lost as well as the steamboat “War Eagle.”

History Repeats Itself, Weibel & Frydenlund Murders

The slain bodies of Suzzette Frydenlund, 29, her mother, Celia Weibel, 55, and her stepfather, Leroy Weibel, were found in the Weibels’ mobile home in the Brookview Mobile Home Court between La Crosse and Coon Valley on September 26, 1992. Frydenlund’s two children, a 6 year-old girl and a 2 year-old boy, were in the mobile home at the time of the murders but found unharmed. Suzzette Frydenlund’s husband, James Frydenlund, 34, of Minneapolis, MN, was acquitted of the crimes.

An Intensive and Architectural and Historical Survey Report of La Crosse County : containing three reports of surveys of the La Crosse County Heritage Corridor, Southern La Crosse County, and Northern La Crosse County compiled in 1995, 1998, and 2002 provided by La Crosse County Historic Sites Preservation Commission (La Crosse, Wis. : The Commission), 2004.

An architectural and historical survey of three areas of primarily rural La Crosse County that is a combination of the following three reports with one unifying cover:

(1) La Crosse River Valley Heritage Corridor, La Crosse County, Wisconsin : Intensive Survey Report, Architectural and Historical Survey Report
(2) Southern La Crosse County, Wisconsin : Historic/Architectural Survey, ca. 1854-1950
(3) Northern La Crosse County, Wisconsin : Historic Building Survey, ca. 1854-1950
Barabara M. Kooiman was the principal investigator in all three surveys.

Inventory and Evaluation : a Land Use Management Plan for the La Crosse River Valley prepared by the City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (La Crosse, WI : City of La Crosse), 1997.

This work by agencies involved in the La Crosse River Valley Study committee examines the background of the study, the inventory process and summaries of the various studies and investigations from economy to transportation to recreation to natural resources to history, and finally six different land use plans discussed by the group.

La Crosse City Directories

The first city directory for La Crosse was published in 1866. Until 1922, wives' names were not listed unless she worked outside the home. This list of digitized resources represents a sampling, as the city directory was published every other year or so. Both La Crosse Public Library Archives and Murphy Library Special Collections have complete sets in paper. Please contact either library for more information.

• 1866
• 1870
• 1876
• 1880
• 1885
• 1890
• 1895
• 1900
• 1905

La Crosse County Historical Maps

Historical descriptions & map images of La Crosse County.

La Crosse and Vicinity Wildlife-Wetland Survey by Kathy Firchow (La Crosse, WI : Kathy Firchow), 1980.

A student intern survey under Ray Kyro, DNR manager, which specifies observations and results of species lists in the La Crosse River marsh.

La Crosse River Conservancy Project, 1998-2002 / by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy

A wetland habitat restoration project, 1998-2002, of the La Crosse River Valley led by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy. Other participants in the project included Gundersen Lutheran, Sierra Club, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, City of La Crosse. and City of Onalaska. Along with financial help from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, 400 acres of wetlands near the La Crosse River behind Valley View Mall were restored.

La Crosse River Pollution Investigation Survey by the Wisconsin Division of Environmental Protection (Madison, WI : The Division), 1971.

A pollution study by the Wisconsin DNR of the La Crosse River drainage basin, 1970-71, identifying the largest pollutant as inadequately treated sanitary waste. Sample sites along the Mississippi River at the city of La Crosse included Holiday Inn, Heileman Brewing Co., Norplex Oak, Trane Co., city of Onalaska, Gateway Transportation, and Holy Cross Seminary. Points sampled along the La Crosse River included spots in and near Sparta, Rockland, Bangor, West Salem, and Bostwick Creek.

La Crosse, Wisconsin: An Ecological History, 2004 / Charles Lee, Rachel VanAlstine, Jennifer Otto, and Heather Przybylski (La Crosse, WI : UW-La Crosse), 2004.

An independent student project summary of the Public History Department at UW-La Crosse led by Professor Charles Lee that discusses major changes to the La Crosse River marsh through human connections.

The Making of a Park System in La Crosse : Report / by John Nolen (La Crosse, Wis. : Inland Printing Co.), 1911.

Landscape architect and city planner John Nolen was hired by the Board of Park Commissioners to design the first master plan for the park system in the city of La Crosse. Published in 1911, this report includes the plans for Riverside (Levee), Copeland, Pettibone, Powell, Grandad, Coulee (Hixon Forest) and Hood Street parks. It was literally the blueprint by which the Park Board sought to purchase park property and beautify lands. A planting plan for Copeland and Riverside are included in the drawings.

Methodism in La Crosse from 1849 to 1904 (La Crosse, Wis.? : s.n.), 1904.

A short history of the Methodist Episcopal churches in La Crosse, Wisconsin, including First Methodist Episcopal Church (later known as Wesley United Methodist), Caledonia Street Methodist Church (later known as St. Luke's United Methodist), Onalaska Methodist Episcopal Church (later known as Onalaska United Methodist), First German Methodist Episcopal Church (later known as Salzer then Asbury United Methodist), Scandinavian Methodist Episcopal Church, West Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (later known as Asbury United Methodist), Second German Methodist Episcopal Church, and some notes about the general conference. The booklet is also full of ads.

Natural Resource Inventory prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (La Crosse, WI : The Dept.), 1990.

Prepared for the La Crosse River Valley Study committee, this natural resource inventory is organized into four parts: the La Crosse River wetlands evaluation; water resources inventory; fisheries investigations; and study area species lists. The water resources inventory includes studies on run off and water quality.

Noise Analysis prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Madison, WI : The Dept.), 1991.

Prepared by the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation for the La Crosse River Valley Study committee, this technical report details existing and future anticipated noise levels for north-south transportation corridor plans 1 through plan 4.

Noise Analysis Addendum prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Madison, WI : The Dept.), 1992.

Prepared by the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation for the La Crosse River Valley Study committee, this very brief technical report includes two addendums and updates the 1991 report and details existing and future anticipated noise levels for north-south transportation corridor plan 3A through plan 4B3.

Recommendations: a Land Use Management Plan for the La Crosse River Valley prepared by the City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (La Crosse, WI : City of La Crosse), 1997.

The recommendations of the La Crosse River Valley Study committee for Land Use Plan 6 for the La Crosse River Valley are presented. This included a plan for preservation and enhancement of of over 1500 acres; an economic plan for over 200 acres; a plan for recreational facilities; and an interim plan for transportation.

Report on Marsh Fill, La Crosse, Wisconsin : February 1946 (Chicago, IL : Alvord, Burdick & Howson), 1946.

The La Crosse City Planning Commission, under the direction of the Common Council, served as the liaison with the engineering firm of Alvord, Burdick & Howson in 1946 to develop a plan for filling in the La Crosse River marsh in the city. The proposed plan called for filling in 468 acres of wetland for industrial and commercial use, redirecting and straightening the La Crosse River, and routing flood waters to the Black River.

Soil Survey of La Crosse County, Wisconsin by W. J. Geib, Clarence Lounsbury and T. J. Dunnewald (Washington, DC : Government Printing Office), 1913

Prepared by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey with field data gathered in 1911, this soil survey of La Crosse County was naturally intended to help further knowledge about the soils that exist in the county for agricultural purposes and to help farmers make sound decisions of what types of agricultural crops to plant. A description of the 17 different kinds of soil is included, as well as a color soil map that accompanied the publication.

A Summary of a Geoarchaeological Perspective on the Archaeological Potential of the Lower La Crosse River Valley by Robert F. Boszhardt and Dean G. Wilder (La Crosse, WI : University of Wisconsin-La Crosse), 1989.

A summary of archaeological excavations and potential archaeological sites in the lower La Crosse River Valley are described by Mississippi Valley Archaeologist Center's archaeologists prepared for the La Crosse River Valley Study Committee. The study follows the La Crosse River beginning in the town of Medary, La Crosse County, to the mouth at the city of La Crosse.

Survey of the Flora and Fauna in the La Crosse Marsh, La Crosse County, Wisconsin by Lawrence D. Igl (Stevens Point, Wis.? : Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin),1985.

A student intern project that identifies bird, mammal and vegetation species in the La Crosse River marsh.

Traffic Analysis prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Madison, WI : The Dept.), 1991.

Prepared by the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation for the La Crosse River Valley Study committee, this technical report details the traffic volume and capacity of proposed north-south transportation corridor plans 1 through plan 4B3, and discussed the forecasting tools used in gathering and analyzing the data.

True Tales of La Crosse : Unusual Stories from Old Newspapers of La Crosse, Wisconsin
compiled and edited by Douglas Connell (La Crosse, Wis. : D. Connell), 1994

Compiled from old La Crosse newspapers, this popular book brings together over 200 interesting, unusual and bizarre stories from La Crosse's past not deemed suitable for a general history book about the city. The chapter topics are animal kingdom, children, domestic disasters, fun & games, ghosts, grief & sorrow, naughty folks, odds & ends, transportation, weather.

We Need a Roof Over Our Heads: The Story of the La Crosse Housing Authority / Susan T. Hessel (La Crosse, Wis,: s.n.), 1998.

Wisconsin Believe It or Not!

For many years, the La Crosse Public Library has been collecting newspaper clippings and pamphlets about Wisconsin people, places, and things. Much of this material does not appear anywhere else, and it provides a valuable resource for historical research. What follows is a sampling of some of the more novel topics that can be found in the Library’s “Wisconsin File”. Visit the library to find the complete story of these topics, and much more, in the Wisconsin File.

• Animals
• Ed Gein: Serial Killer
• Folk Art
• Folklore
• Ghosts
• John Birch Society
• Monsters
• Parapsychology
• Tourist Attractions
• UFO's