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THE CITY OF LA CROSSE, WIS.
ITS ADVANTAGES FOR
RESIDENCE, RESOURCES AND COMMERCIAL PROGRESS.
FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE FOR 1891
WITH REPRESENTATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS
OF ITS RESIDENCES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
BY
THE ART GRAVURE & ETCHING CO.
MILWAUKEE, WIS.


LA CROSSE BOARD OF TRADE.

J.M. HOLLEY, President. J.B. CANTERBURY, Vice-President.
R. CALVERT, Secretary. EDGAR PALMER, Treasurer.
(These are also Directors ex-officio.)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

M.P.WING, W.W. CARGILL, JAMES McCORD,
C.F. KLEIN, J.S. MEDARY, H.B. CALAHAN,
A. HIRSHHEIMER, W.W. TAYLOR, G.H. PIERCE,
T.A. DYSON, B.M. BENSON, HERMAN BERGER.

STANDING COMMITTEES.

Publication-H.A. Salzer, Fred Tillman, J.A. Edwards, H.P. Magill, E.C. Warner.

Finance-S.S. Burton, John Pamerin, F.A. Copeland.
Membership-C.F. Klein, W.T. Symons, E.T. Mueller, John Lienlokken, Matt. Wannebo.
Manufactures-M. Funk, B.E. Edwards, A. Platz.
River Improvements-David Austin, D.A. McDonald, J.S. Medary.
Roads and Bridges-L.C. Colman, W.A. Roosevelt, A.H. Mitchell.

Railroads-J.S. Medary, A. Hirshheimer, Chas. Michel, H. Goddard, Alex. McMillan.
Freight-Joseph Clarke, D.W. Marston, James McCord, Wm. Listman, J.C. Burns.
Postal Facilities-B.L. Strouse, W.L. Crosby, D.H. Palmer.
Meteoroligical-D.S. McArthur, M.D., C.H. Marquardt, M.D., John Gund, Jr.
Transient Merchants-Wm. Luening, F.J. Willard, B.M. Benson.


Map of the Territory with which La Crosse has Business Relations, Showing its Unexcelled River and Railroad Facilities.


LA CROSSE, WIS.

The present year completes a cycle of fifty years since the first white man built his log cabins on the prairie which
is now occupied by the beautiful and prosperous city of La Crosse, and its Board of trade have deemed this a
fitting occasions to present statistically and pictorially the marvellous growths of that half century.

For the illustrative features of the work, the Board is fortunate in having secured the services of The Art Gravure
& Etching Co., of Milwaukee, an establishment well known in the world of Art, and for the statistical portion the
material was at hand in the annual report of the Secretary of tire Board, from which the following extracts have been
taken, omitting details, which are chiefly valuable merely as matters of record, and giving only totals and the comparisons
which they afford.

COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION.

EXTRACTS FROM SECRETARY'S REPORT.

It will be generally conceded that in no previous year in the history of our city have the evidences of commercial
and industrial activity beers more abundant, and the citizens, as a whole, more satisfied as to the present and
hopeful as to the future.

It is therefore very natural that in this report you should expect large figures, with generous percentages of
increase, and possibly, without further consideration, you would be disappointed with tine figures presented, the sum
total being only $39,389,614, which is an increase of slightly more than 9 per cent., but I must remind you that the
Freeman flour mill contributes nothing to the present report, and that the unexampled continuous low water of 1891
materially curtailed the saw-mill operations for the year. If you eliminate flour and lumber from both years, the
increase in other industries during 1891 would be equal to nearly 14 per cent.


This indications of industrial health is corroborated by all the other factors which operate to make up the sum
total of our wellbeing.

The tonnage handled by all of our railroads was 557,675 tons, an increase of 36,805 tons. The aggregate bank
deposits were $34,417,528, an increase of about 12 1/4 per cent., and the money orders paid at the postoffice exceeded those issued by $156,762.36, that amount being tire balance in favor of La Crosse business.

These and similar facts are not only interesting as items of information, but are also valuable as proofs of their
mutual accuracy and of the correctness of the whole, and without further preface I beg leave to submit the following
statistics:

STATISTICS OF THE POST OFFICE.

In addition to the above a large amount of business, both its passengers and freight, is annually carried by the
Diamond Jo line of steamers and those of the St. Louis arid St. Paul Packet Co., but of which reliable statistics are not
at hand.


LA CROSSE, WIS., ILLUSTRATED. 9

10 LA CROSSE, WIS., ILLUSTRATED.

In connection with these figures it should be stated that only facts actually ascertained are presented. There are
many industries which, from their nature, cannot be reduced to figures. No account is taken of the large volume of
wages paid to clerks and others in stores, of professional earnings, the pay-rolls of city employes, of the large mechanical,
operating and clerical staff of the different railroads, and many others, which increase the monetary circulation;
they may fall short of your expectations, but when due allowance is made for the loss by fire of the Freeman flour
mill and the saw-mill of the P. S. Davidson Lumber Co., and the other drawbacks already mentioned, they cannot fail
to assure you of our industrial and commercial stability, and it would be well to look on the other side of the picture,
and contemplate the promises which we have of future progress, the results of which have not yet entered into your
annual balance-sheet.

During the past year the capacity of two of our established factories has been increased $50,000 each. The
National Cooperage Co., with a like capital, amid to be managed by experienced and capable citizens, has nearly completed
its buildings and manufacturing plant, and will soon commence operations. The La Crosse Boot and Shoe
Manufacturing Co., with a capital of $50,000, will be ready for work its the early spring. With these and several other
extensions, the manufacturing capital of the city has been increased by over a quarter of a million of dollars. The bulk
of the bountiful harvest of 1891 is also still unmarked, and as soon as we have such weather as will put the roads in
proper condition for hauling, must find its way to our markets. All these conditions cannot fail to have an appreciable
effect upon the business of the year just commenced, and unless some now unforeseen drawbacks should interfere, a busy
and prosperous year may be expected.

Regarding the oft-repeated claims of this city, as offering at the same time all the features of desirable country
residence and the opportunities for culture and enjoyment appertaining to large cities, I need only point to the municipal
improvements of the year, as set forth in the foregoing tables, comprising about three miles additional water mains,
two miles more macadamized streets, about six miles added to our sidewalks, practically two new brick school-houses,
extended sewerage, a new city building, and many other of more or less importance. It is true that all these cost money,
but it would be difficult to find a tax-payer unwilling to admit their necessity, excepting, perhaps, in the case of the city
building, and in that case the interest upon the cost will not exceed what has been hitherto paid as rents for the offices
of time different departments scattered all over the city. All of our public improvements have met with some opposition
at their inception, but time has always proved the wisdom of those who promoted them, and I venture to say that in
no undertaking have the people more fully received the worth of their money than in the building in which we now meet
for the first time, and after this generation has passed away it will remain a standing monument of the wisdom of the
Council which authorized it, the energy and watchful economy of the committee and Board of Public Works who carried


the wishes of the Council into effect, the skill of the architects who planned it, and the integrity of the contractors who
built it.

All present will remember the contentions which attended the proposal to bridge the Mississippi at this point,
but the holiday season just past has justified the friends of the scheme. At that time while the weather was such as to
forbid crossing entirely without the bridge, by its means our market and streets were thronged with teams from early
dawn until dark, and all these improvements have cost the tax-payers no more than two mills on the dollar in addition
to what has been for some time regarded as our normal rate.

During the year now closed we have lost two active and valued members by death.

Their value and services were known to all, anti their eulogium will be found in the memories which they leave
behind them.

This Board has been in existence for twenty-four years. The bead-roll of its officers and the records of its labors
disclose the names of many who have passed into rest, and warn us that we, too, are passing away.

Who shall then take our places? Who among our young men are qualifying themselves to do so? On them
will rest the future of this beautiful and growing city. Do they realize the responsibilities which, although they may
defer, they cannot put aside? No man can live unto himself alone, and I earnestly and beseechingly call upon those
who are gradually assuming the cares of business, not only to become members of this Board (that is easily done, and
many of them are members in name), but also to become members in fact; to attend our meetings and become active
and enthusiastic participants in its plans and deliberations.


12 LA CROSSE, WIS., ILLUSTRATED.

With the energy of youth added to the experience of age, new life anti vigor would be infused into our counsels,
and added success attend our efforts to place tire Gateway City foremost among those of this great Northwest.
Respectfully submitted,

Secretary.

The subject of populations is one on which the people of La Crosse have ceased to speculate; whi1e all the data
on which, in the absence of a direct canvass, population is usually estimated, authorized a claim of over 30,000 people,
the national census of 1890 gave them only 25,121. They accepted the figures without protest, but all the same they
claim that while figures cannot lie, they can be made to furnish a very good imitation of the article.

The Publication Committee would also invite a careful perusal of the following extracts from an address delivered
by the Secretary at the dedication of tire new city building and the celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, giving some
details and thoughts upon our commercial progress

THE COMMERCIAL PROGRESS OF LA CROSSE.

Twenty-three years ago the city had practically but one railroad, with its depot almost a day's journey from the city and a management which secured actuated by an insane desire to crush instead of foster the mercantile spirit of the people, but another, starting from the opposite shore, had just completed forty miles westward into Minnesota, and to the general offices of that road, the Southern Minnesota, I was attached, and each year we added mile to mile and completed division after division, until in 1880 it was nearly 500 miles in length, reaching far into Dakota, and the city grew with it.

During these years, without any apparent special effort, manufactures of various kinds had been introduced and prospered, and it is worthy of remark that time promoters of all these were our own citizens, arid the means invested was La Crosse capital.

Nor were the improvements which make a city beautiful, healthful and desirable as a residence neglected; our schools, water
and sewerage-the trinity which presides over the normal and physical welfare of a people-had devout worshippers and practical devotees who formulated plans and made modest experiments winch have resulted in tire present magnificent successes.

Our citizens have been quick to utilize these opportunities, and in the summer time our beautiful shade trees, the well kept lawns
and lovely gardens of private dwellings, Oak Grove Cemetery with its hundreds of thousands of flowers and our magnificent bluffs for a background, all combine to form a picture which, framed in our ever-flowing silver river, is beyond all art. For this we might claim the title of the Garden City, were that name not already preempted, for in this is regard a more beautiful city cannot be found west of the Great Lakes.

Other railroads sought access to La Crosse and strove for a share of its growing business: the Green Bay & Minnesota, the Chicago & North-Western, the Chicago, Clinton & Dubuque, and the river division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway enlarged


LA CROSSE, WIS, ILLUSTRATED. 13

our territory and increased the facilities for distributing our products; new manufactures were introduced to supplement our staple of lumber, until in 1880 the population had increased from 9,279 to 16,000 people.

From that year the commercial progress of the city has been more rapid, and the additional impetus received by the opening of
time Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad in 1885, imparted a momentum to our rate of increase which nothing has been, or will be able to check. The policy of the other roads has also experienced a wonderful change, and their officers manifest a desire to meet us in a spirit of fairness and business reciprocity.  I intimated when I began to address you that the subject was one which pertained more to the region of facts than the domain of fancy, and if you will bear with me I will here submit a few figures which will demonstrate whether I have kept faith wilts you in that respect, and show the wonderful progress which we have matte during time last decade:

Among the other industries which help to make thus wonderful increase I may mention the Linseed Oil Mill, the Walhis Carriage Works, and the Novelty Wood Works, coffee amid spice mills, a cracker factory, two knitting factories, manufactures of sorghum and bark mills, the wheel and seeder works, and an establishment for the Production of altar pieces anti ecclesiastical carved work, which enjoys more than local fame, and many others of a general nature. I have said that these tended to supplement our staple of lumber, and that they are more than fulfilling their mission is shown by the fact that in 188l the lumber manufactured was equal to 31 3/10 of the total of the whole, and in 1891, while the lumber manufactured was double that of 1881, it was only equal to l9 2/10 of the whole.

That nature has done much for La Crosse who can deny? Located in a sheltered valley, with ample room for a large population, it offers inviting facilities to the manufacturer and the army of skilled and unskilled workmen which carries out his projects. Situated at a point on the western border of the State through. which all the products of the East must pass on their westward way, or else make a long and time-consuming detour, it naturally attracted the capital amid enterprise which are associated in distributing time rich treasures of the earth among their consumers; receiving at its base the waters of tire most extensive pine bearing rivera of the West, and lying contiguous to large forests of hard timber, it naturally because the headquarters of those engaged in that gigantic industry.

Such are some of tire natural advantages possessed by La Crosse, but these in themselves would be valueless. There is not a more helpless object than a dead locomotive, amid the mighty forces latent in time situation of our city might have lain dormant butt for intelligent causes to rouse them into action.

These were found in the sagacity and fait in its future of the early settlers and the industry, liberal policy, and untarnished reputation of those who have inherited their privileges and followed in their footsteps, guided, fostered and stimulated by a valiant and aggressive Board of Trade.


14 LA CROSSE, WIS., ILLUSTRATED.

The doubtful system of attracting capital to the city by the offer of bonus has not found favor and formed no part of its policy, but liberal expenditures have not been withheld where such could be used for the benefit of the whole, and any project worthy of encouragement has always been met in a liberal spirit.

Encompassed for miles by an agricultural area of great fertility, we have joined hands with its tillers in making macadamized
roads and bridging rivers for the mutual benefit of city and country an interstate bridge has been built to bring us into closer relations, and enable us to exchange commodities with our neighbors in the great State of Minnesota. Our schools are models in completeness of course and equipment, and in them not only tuition but books and every requisite down to Pencil and scribbling paper are absolutely free. These have a fitting companion in our public library and reading room with its 10,000 volumes, an institution which is also free to all. We have about twenty miles of macadamized streets, an excellent system of sewerage, and a water plant with twenty-five miles of mains, owned by ourselves and yielding a revenue of $20,000 per annum, and I may here state that should we so desire we could sell our water works to-day to private parties for a suns which would nearly extinguish the entire indebtedness of the city.

Forty-five churches, two handsome theaters, many spacious halls, several musical and literary societies, bear witness to the fact that in the race for material wealth we have not left behind us the means of ministering to our moral, intellectual and spiritual wants.

A feature which proves the abundance of labor and the frugality and industry of our laboring classes, is the great number of those who own their homes. Employers and workmen have thus a mutual interest in the welfare of the city, mutual dependence upon and mutual trust in each other.

Fifty eventful years have passed since the first settler planted a proprietary foot on La Crosse prairie, and of all those who followed and shared in the struggle how few remain! Nearly all of these have attained amid sonic have exceeded the three-score and ten years allotted to man, and have earned aright to the repose of veterans to their successors they hand over a noble heritage, rich with privileges, which bring with them corresponding duties and responsibilities.

Will these successors be faithful to their trust, and zealously strive in harmony to enlarge the sphere of usefulness which they
Inherit? I have faith that they will. Our young men have evinced in many ways that they possess these elements of success, industry, integrity and a mastery of business methods. If to these they add a proper feeling of pride in the development of their city and work unitedly to that end, they may in their own time behold the wonders prophetically depicted by the pioneer of 1842. They will, at all events, have a city of which they may be proud ; second in the State it may be in population and wealth, but second to none in its standing and influence in time commonwealth of commerce, and still reaching out to a destiny the limits of which it would be folly to predict.

The commercial progress of La Crosse possesses such interest for me that in my efforts to condense and spare your patience I do not feel as if I had done the subject justice, and I crave leave to withdraw under the cover of the following eulogy of the city from an article by Mr. W. L. Osborne, one of our journalists, which states the case very fairly: "What does a man seek in a home ? First, a livelihood; then health; then a clean moral and social atmosphere; then education for his children; the pleasures of nature and art, and all the advantages of science the locality can provide; in brief, he wants every rational good of life, and every fair prospect of what lies beyond. It would be disloyal not to believe with all our hearts that the United States is the best country on this round earth, Wisconsin the best State, and this city of La Crosse, where our fortunate lot is cast, the very best city."


THE CITY OF LA CROSSE, WIS,.

Is the Gateway to and from all of the great West lying north of the 42d parallel of latitude. The entire trade between the East and that immense territory, both of domestic and imported staples going West and the cereals going seaward, must pass through it.

Is situated at the confluence of the La Crosse and Black rivers with the Mississippi; the Black river being one of the largest pine timber rivers in the country, the product of which is all handled in La Crosse, furnishing employment to eleven large mills, with a capacity of over one million feet per day. It is also the outlet of all the pine and hardwood timber of the Wisconsin Valley seeking markets by rail.

Has thriving manufactories of Plows, Agricultural Implements, Boilers and Heavy machinery, extensive Carriage Works, Cracker and Knitting factories, Glass Works, etc., three large Flour Mills, Woolen Mills, a large Tannery, five large Breweries, affording a market for 150,000 bushels of barley and 100,000 pounds of hops per annum; extensive Cigar Manufactories, and various other Industries.

Has 20 miles of macadamized streets, 24 miles of water main and 10 miles of street car tracks-to be operated by electricity in the spring.

Has the best system of Water Works and the most efficient Fire Department in the Northwest.

Has three daily and six weekly newspapers and two religious monthlies with an aggregate circulation of 24,000.

Has forty-five Churches, Model Common Schools, and a first-class High School and course.

Has six Public Halls, and its two new Opera Houses are acknowledged to be the most convenient and tastefully embellished its the North-west.

Has a Free Public Library with over 10,000 volumes, placed in a handsome building, erected in terms of a bequest of the late Hon. C. C. Washburn.

Is close to the hard timber forests and immense pinerles. Rates on coal and ore are always low, and for steam power its saw-mills furnish fuel at almost nominal cost.

Has in its vicinity an inexhaustible supply of iron ore waiting development.

Has the Mississippi river and eight railroads reaching in every direction, giving unsurpassed facilities for transportation.

Has for a market the whole of Western Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Middle and Southern Minnesota and the newly admitted twin States of North and South Dakota, a field which is practically unlimited.

Has a large and increasing Jobbing Trade with these and oilier sections of the country, and the Country Storekeeper can have his wants as fully and cheaply supplied as in the Eastern markets.

Is essentially the Home of the Workingman, with exceptional facilities for procuring Cheap Homes. As a result the laboring classes are mostly all freeholders, and a steady supply of labor can always be relied upon.

The City and many of the stores are lighted by the Brush System of electric lighting, and the Edison Incandescent system is in use for private dwellings. Coal gas is also supplied at a reasonable rate.

Its citizens are enterprising and extend a hearty welcome to all new-comers, and the Board of Trade will cheerfully assist any one in looking for a desirable site either for business or residence. Address,
R. CALVERT,
Secretary Board of Trade.


Map of the City of La Crosse


View From City Hall-Looking Northwest


View From City Hall-Looking Southwest


Third Street-North From Pearl Street


Pearl Street-East From Front Street


Sixth Street-North From Cass


West Avenue-South From Main Street


Foot Bridge Across the Mississippi


Scene on Black River


U.S. Government Building


City Hall


La Crosse County Jail
La Crosse County Court House


High School
Public Library


Second Ward School
Eighteenth Ward School
Fourth Ward School
Nineteenth Ward School


First Baptist Church
First Universalist Church
Methodist Church
Catholic Cathedral


Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Depot


C. & N.W. R.R. Depot
C., B & N. R.R. Depot


State Bank of La Crosse
D.D. McMillan, President
E.N. Borresen, Vice President
J.M. Holley, Cashier


La Crosse National Bank
G.C. Hixon, President
S.S. Burton, Vice President
Geo. W. Burton, Cashier
F.H. Hankerson, Asst. Cashier


Batavian Bank
G. Van Steenwyk, President
Abner Gile, Vice President
E.E. Bentley, Cashier
M.B. Greenwood, Asst. Cashier


A.D. Magill & Burke Investment Bankers.
La Crosse, Wis. And North La Crosse


The Exchange State Bank (North Side)
J.E. Wheeler, President
N.B. Holway, Vice President
Henry P. Magill, Cashier


Jno. Lienlokken, Banker
The Market. C.F. Klein, Proprietor
Wholesale and Retail Dry Goods, Notions and Furnishings Goods


Hodges & Hyde Elevator


Sawyer & Austin Lumber Company's Plant


La Crosse Lumber Co.'s Saw Mill


John Paul Lumber Co.'s Saw Mill


N.B. Holway's Saw Mill, Pine and Hemlock Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Etc.


Saw Mill
Planing Mill
C.I. Colman, Manufacturer of and Dealer in Lumber


C. & J. Michel Brewing Co.


Bottling Department of C. & J. Michel Brewing Co.


G. Heilman Brewing Co.


John Gund Brewing Co.


John A. Salzer Seed Co.


La Crosse Linseed Oil Co.'s Works


Wheel & Seeder Mfg. Co., Manufacturers of Agricultural Implements


La Crosse Plow Works. A. Hirschheimer, Proprietor


Plant of Novelty Wood Works


Tannery of Davis, Medary & Platz Co. (Limited) Mnfrs of Leather


La Crosse Packing & Provision Co. (Abattoir and Packing Houses)


City Granite and Marble Works, J.J. Stanek, Proprietor
Warehouse of La Crosse Packing & Provision Co. Dressed Meats


Listman Mill Company, Manufacturers of Fine Grade Flours
La Crosse Cracker Co., Manufacturers of Fine Crackers and Confectionery


The Mons Anderson Company, Importers and Jobbers of Dry Goods, Notions, Etc.


E.R. Barron & Co., Dry Goods and Carpets


Foster & Burnham, Dry Goods and Notions


Offices of Monroe Eraser Mfg. Co.


Monroe Eraser Mfg. Co. Private Office of J. W. Skinner, Gen'l Manager.


John C. Burn's Fruit House


Odin Oyen Wallpaper and Decorative Establishment, La Crosse, Wis. Painting, Signwriting Frescoing


Tillman Bros., Furniture


T.H. Spence, Wholesale Druggist


Palmer Brothers, City Livery
M.F. Hayes, Proprietor La Crosse Transfer Line


John James & Company, Mnfrs. Rolleer Mills and Mill Furnishings
West Wisconsin Iron Works, B. Ott & Sons, Proprietors, Machinists, Mill Furnishers, Engine Builders


La Crosse Knitting Works, Mfrs. Hosiery and Mittens
J.S. Medary Saddlery Co., Leather, Saddlery Hardware, Etc.


D.W. Marston, Wholesale Grocer
James McCord, Wholesale Druggist


A.M. Watson, The leading Grocer
J. W. Toms China Co., Crockery, China Fine Pottery, Lamps, Etc.


Davis & Company, Wholesale Dealers in Cigars and Tobacco
T.D. Servis, Fine Clothier


La Crosse Book & Stationery Co.
The Park Store, William Doerflinger, Prop., Dry Goods and Notions


F.H. Lloyd, Shelf and Heavy Hardware
James A. Trane, Steam and Hot Water Heating


The Pamperin & Wiggenhorn Cigar Co., Manufacturers of Fine Cigars
John Dengler, Manufacturer of Fine Cigars


Residence of L.W. Foster
Residence of Dr. Edgar Palmer


Residence of T.H. Spence
Residence of B.E. Edwards


Residence of G.H. Ray
Residence of D.D. McMillan


Residence of James McCord
Residence of D.W. Marston