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La Crosse Illustrated: Historical, Picturesque, Descriptive. Art Pub. Co., 1887

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LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED,
Historical, Picturesque, Descriptive.
Sold Only by Subscription
Art Publishing Company
Pratt & Owen, Proprietors.
1887


OAK GROVE CEMETERY.


CITY OF LA CROSSE.

THIS publication is not intended to be an historical work. The design is to furnish, in a work
of art, a fair delineation of the city of La Crosse and its situation. These illustrations have
been selected with reference to what would give the best variety of features, and also with a view
of preserving for the future what might become of historic interest. The passing years bring change
to everything over which they take their flight, and whatever may be the destiny of this city, it
will be interesting in after years to look upon the features of former days.

Again, these pages will pass beneath the eyes of strangers, and to such its purpose is to give
them an idea of the general character of the place. As the several pages are turned, there pass in
review before the eye the various characteristics of the place. Business streets and blocks, churches
and schools, public buildings, glimpses of beautiful residence streets and views of public parks, the
industries which contribute elements of life and growth, and so on until the delineation is as complete
as possible.

The situation of La Crosse is most favorable in all respects. The scenery is so varied and
grand that there is hardly a limit to the number of beautiful illustrations that might be made.

The historical part of our work is confined to mere mention of a few facts and dates, simply
historic milestones, that should be preserved in connection with such a group of illustrations as we
give. This explanation is made so that the reader may not mistake the purport of the sketch.




VIEW AT THE DOCK.


The city of La Crosse is situated upon historic ground, and in an historic region. The entire
Mississippi Valley possesses a charm that fascinates every one who visits it.

The origin of a name is always a matter of interest, but very frequently it has to be established
upon tradition or conjecture. It seems probable that the first name applied to this spot was
"Prairie La Crossette," and that it was given by the French missionaries, who halted here and planted
the cross, in accordance with their usual custom. Such a cross was seen here in the year 1840, but
whether it was one erected by the missionaries, or placed by the Indians over the graves of their
dead, is not known, though the latter theory is most probable. In 1865; the place is spoken of as
"Prairie de la Crosse."

The signification of the name leads to the belief that the settlement was given the name of
a popular game of ball in which the Indians took great delight, and for which the spot was admirably
adapted.

Nathan Myrick, was made the first postmaster in 1844, and at his suggestion the name was
changed from "Prairie de la Crosse" to "La Crosse."

Before entering upon the first settlement, it may be of interest to group some of the early
general events and dates, which are always valuable for reference,

1639. Nicolet explored the country as far as the head of the Wisconsin river.

1654. The territory now embraced within the limits of Wisconsin, in the vicinity of Green Bay, was occupied by fur traders.

1660. Rene Menard explored the country to Chegoimegon Bay, on Lake Superior, where a


FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

mission was afterwards established. In the following year the same traveller crossed the country from
Lake Superior to Black River Falls.


1665. Claude Allouez established a mission at La Pointe, Lake Superior.

1669. Father Allouez established a mission at Des Peres, near Green Bay, on the site of the
present city of De Pere.

1670. Father Allouez made a voyage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to within a short distance
of the Mississippi.

1671. In this year the French took formal possession of the whole Northwest.

1673. Father James Marquette discovered the Mississippi river.

1674. The same explorer coasted Lake Michigan, from Green Bay to the site of the present
city of Chicago.

1679. "The Griffin," a schooner built by La Salle, and the first to make a voyage of the
lake above Niagara, arrived at Green Bay.

1679. Capt. Dulath held a council, and concluded a peace with the natives of Lake Superior.

1681. Marquette's journal and map of his travels and explorations in the Northwest were
published in France.

1683. Le Seuer made a voyage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to the Mississippi.

1688. Parret established a trading station on Lake Pepin. Fort St. Antoine was erected at
the mouth of the Chippewa river, and a military fort named Beauharnois was erected on the north
side of Lake Pepin.

1695. Le Seuer built a fort on an island in the Mississippi, below the St. Croix.

1700. Le Seuer made a voyage up the Mississippi in search of copper ore.

1719. Francis Renalt explored the upper Mississippi with two hundred miners.

1726. A French fort was established at Green Bay.

1727. The French established a fort on Lake Pepin, with Sieur de Lapperriere commandant.

1728. There was a great flood in the Mississippi, and Fort Beauharnois was submerged.

1745. Green Bay was settled by Augustus and Charles de Langdale.

1755. A French post, or fort. was established at Prairie du Chien.

1763. The great Pontiac war. The Treaty of Paris, by which all the territory of New France,
including Wisconsin, was surrendered to the English.

1766. The laws of Canada were extended over the Northwest.

1774. Organization of the Northwestern Fur Company.

1780. Lieut.-Governor Patrick St. Clair, of Canada, purchased Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, &c.,
from the Indians.

1785. There was a great flood in the Mississippi river.

1786. Julian Dubuque explored the lead region of the upper Mississippi.

1787. The well-known ordinance of 1787 was passed by Congress for the government of the
Northwest.

1788. There was an Indian Council at Green Bay. Permission to work the lead mines was
given to Dubuque.

1796. Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, &c., were surrendered by the English to the United States.

1796. Laws of the ordinance of 1787 extended over the Northwest.

1800. Indian territory organized, including Wisconsin.

1803. Antoine Barth settled at the portage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers.

1805. Michigan Territory organized.

1805. Lieut. Pike ascended the Mississippi river.

1809. First saw-mill built near Green Bay.

1814. Gov. Clark took possession of Prairie du Chien.

1815. The American Fur Company began to establish trading posts.


UP MAIN STREET FROM THIRD STREET


LOOKING DOWN MAIN STREET


OAK GROVE CEMETERY


SECOND WARD PARK IN AUTUMN


1816. United States troops took possession of Prairie do Chien

1817. Major S. H. Long ascended the Mississippi.

1818. A saw-mill built four miles above Prairie du Chien.

1819. A saw-mill was erected at Black River Falls by C. A. Andrews.

1821. Fort Crawford built at Prairie du Chien.

1823. Major S. H. Long's expedition to the upper Mississippi. Also, the first steamboat on
the Upper Mississippi, with Major Talifero and Count Beltrami.

1825. August 1 and 19-Indian treaties at Prairie du Chien.

1826. Great flood on the Mississippi, twenty-six feet above low water at Prairie du Chien.

1829. July 29-Winnebago treaty at Prairie du Chien.

1830. May-The Sioux killed seventeen Sauks and Foxes near Prairie du Chien.

1832. Schoolcraft discovered the true source of the Mississippi.

1833. The "Green Bay Intelligencer," the first newspaper published.

1834. Population, by census taken, 4,795.

1836. Territory of Wisconsin organized. Oct. 25-First Legislature of Wisconsin convened at
Belmont Dec. 3 -Seat of government established at Madison.

1837. Sioux treaty; lands east of the Mississippi ceded.

1848. Wisconsin admitted as a state.

BEGINNING OF LA CROSSE.

Various persons had visited the present site of La Crosse before the first actual settler arrived.
It may be that some tarried at this point for a season, hut, unless they remained and participated
In laying the foundations of the village, and city of subsequent years, they would not properly belong
To the ranks of pioneers. It is evidently true that 1841 was the pioneer year of La Crosse, and
Nathan Myrick the first settler. It has been claimed that a trading post had been established here
Prior to that time, but whether such was the case or not is of no importance. Mr. Myrick arrived
here in November, 1841, and located temporarily on the island. He was accompanied by Horatio
Curtis, Eben Wells, and a man named Reed. In February, 1842, they removed to the mainland.
During the year Myrick and Miller had a survey of the town made, which remained unchanged until
1851. Settlers came in somewhat slowly, and the history of the first three or four years is that
common to pioneer life.

In 1844 a post office was established, with Mr. Myrick as postmaster.

The county of La Crosse was organized in 1855, and the county seat located at the village
Of La Crosse. From 1851 to 1856 the population increased so rapidly that the census of that year
Showed 2,000 inhabitants.

In 1856 a charter for a city was obtained. Thomas B. Stoddard was the first mayor.

LA CROSSE NEWSPAPERS

The "Spirit of the Times" was the pioneer newspaper of La Crosse. It was started in 1852 'by
Messrs. P. A. and A. D. La Due, the material for the office being brought from Prairie du Chien.
In May, 1853, the La Crosse Democrat was started by Stevens & Rogers, with C. A Stevens
Editor. The Spirit of the Times ceased about the time the Democrat was started. The Democrat continued only about. a year.
In July, 1854, The La Crosse National Democrat appeared, being the venture of Col. Theodore
Rodolf and Judge Cyrus K. Lord.

The La Crosse Independent Republican commenced in August, 1854, with William C. Rogers
Proprietor.


FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH


In 1859 three daily newspapers were ushered into existence, born largely of political parentage.
They were the La Crosse Daily Union, Daily Independent Republican; and Daily Democrat.

In 1860 Mr. Harry Hayden commenced the La Crosse Mirror, which survived but a brief
period.

In April, 1860, Mark M. Pomeroy, or "Brick" Pomeroy, as he was called, came to La Crosse
and purchased Mr. Sykes' interest in the Union and Democrat. This extraordinary individual won for
himself wide spread notoriety as editor of the La Crosse Democrat, and later of Pomeroy's Democrat.
By his abuse and ridicule of Abraham Lincoln, of the war for the Union, of emancipation for the
republican party, he gained an enormous circulation for his La Crosse Democrat, and made $200,000
in three or four years' time. Pomeroy took his fortune and went to New York, where he sunk it
all in about a year in an effort to establish a daily paper.

In 1869 the La Crosse Leader was started, and in 1871 consolidated with the Republican, and
since that time has been published as the Republican and Leader. Hon. Charles. Seymour was for
many years editor of the Republican.

In 1871 the La Crosse Democrat passed into the hands of Symes & Peck, both of whom had
been identified with Brick Pomeroy's paper.

In 1874 Mr. Peck withdrew from the Democrat to establish his popular humorous paper,
called Peck's Sun, which he continued for a few years, and then removed it to Milwaukee, where it
immediately gained an extensive circulation, and Geo. W. Peck achieved distinction as one of the
most popular humorists of the day.

Lute A. Taylor was another La Crosse editor, being one of the originators of the La Crosse
Leader. Mr. Taylor was in many respects a remarkable man. His literary taste was exquisite, and
he was well known throughout the state. He died several years ago.

The Republican and Leader is still pursuing a prosperous course, with W. R. Finch as editor
and manager.

The name of the Democrat was changed to the Liberal Democrat in 1874, and in 1878 to the
Chronicle, and is still published under that name, with Ellis B. Usher editor. Both papers publish daily
editions.

The La Crosse News was started in July, 1880, with John Shuart as publisher and Alexander
Nevins editor. The News is published at North La Crosse. The present publisher is Geo. M. Read. In
foreign tongues there are two weeklies published.
The newspapers of La Crosse are among the best in the state, and are a credit to the intelligence
and enterprise of the place. In fact, La Crosse journalism and journalists have done much to extend
the fame of the city.

STEAMBOATING ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

The navigation on the upper Mississippi made but little progress at first. Prior to 1844 only one
or two trips a year were made to Fort Snelling to carry supplies. During 1844 there was a marked
increase and for the next three years the little steamers Otter, Rock River and Lynx were the principal
boats carrying supplies for the Indian trade.

The Galena and Minnesota Packet Company was organized in 1847, and the first boat purchased by
them was the Argo. The next boat was the Dr. Franklin, which cost $13,500, and was put on the, line
in the spring of 1848. In 1849 the Senator was added to the line, but was sold the same season, and
the Nominee put in its place. This boat, like many others, was snagged and sunk after running five or
six years.

The Ben Campbell was built in the winter of 1851-2, but drew too much water, and was sold
soon afterward.

In 1854 a number of new boats were added to the line, and in 1836 the business received a great
impetus by the opening of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad.


VIEW AT NORTH LA CROSSE
ON FOURTH STREET


EAST SIDE OF COURT HOUSE SQUARE


MAIN STREET PARK


PART THREE
LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED
PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE
PUBLISHED IN EIGHT PARTS
Art Publishing Company
PRATT & OWEN
1887


MCMILLAN BUILDING


In 1861 the following boats were running in the upper trade: War Eagle, Alhambra. City Bell.
Fanny Harris, Northern Light, Key City, Northern Bell, Golden Era, Ocean Wave, Flora, Grey Eagle.
Milwaukee. Itasca. Some of these boats were elegant and costly.

The Galena Packet Company reorganized in 1864, under the name of "The Northwestern Packet
Company." with a cash capital of $40O,OOO.

In 1860 an opposition line, called the White Collar Line, was organized to run from La Crosse
to St. Paul. This was finally consolidated with the old company.

The Northern Line Packet Company also ran steamers from St. Louis to St. Paul.

In 1863 steamers began to be used as tow boats, and a new sphere of usefulness was opened to
them. An immense business has been done in towing rafts of logs and lumber.

The Diamond Jo Line was established in 1867 by Joseph Reynolds of McGregor, Iowa, and has
become a very wealthy and influential Corporation.

The St. Louis & St. Paul Passenger and Freight Line was established in 1881. with P. S. Davidson
president and treasurer.

The first ferry between La Crosse and La Crescent was established by a Mr. Hates, in 1854.

DESCRIPTION OF LA CROSSE.
The situation of La Crosse is most advantageous, both as regards delightful scenery and commercial
relations.

The site of the city is in latitude forty-three degrees, forty-nine minutes, longitude ninety-one degrees,
forty one minutes, and is nearly midway of the Continent. The city stands on the cast bank of
the Mississippi, 660 miles from St. Louis and 197 miles from St. Paul. Extending up and down the
river at this point, for a distance of several miles, is a beautiful prairie, which in the early days was an
attractive resort for the Indians, and was favorite ground for the game of lacrosse, in which they
took special delight. Upon front and back are the bold, lofty bluffs, which are familiar sentinels of
the Mississippi valley.

One of our illustrations shows one of the most prominent of these. It stands directly back of the
city, like a mute warden keeping eternal guard over the precious trust deposited at its base. It is known
as "Grandfather's Bluff," or "Grandad." From its lofty summit a most enchanting view is obtained up
and down the valley.

We quote from a descriptive sketch the following extract: " The city is located on a beautiful
Prairie, seven miles in length by two and one half miles in width, with the Mississippi bluffs, which hug
the river closely on the Minnesota side, here keeping at a respectful distance. The lower portion of
the city is devoted to business further east, business houses are interspersed with private residences.
schools. parks and drives of superior beauty and excellence, the whole completing a picture both
harmonious and ;attractive. Further east the grounds on which the city is built rise above the level
of the Front street plateau, ascended by admirably graded and macadamized streets, and adorned
with private residences, gardens and resorts, the homes of intelligence, wealth and liberality. Still
further east are the bluffs, from the summits of which is spread out before the observer a landscape
rivaling in beauty and perfection the masterpieces of artists who touched but to adorn. A range of
hills bounds the western horizon, between which and the bluffs is a matchless panorama of groves,
gardens amid gently rolling prairies. Nestling upon the bank of the river the city reposes, while the
majestic Mississippi rolls onward its mighty volumn of waters from the bleak regions. of the North,
through the Missouri and Mississippi valleys, to empty into the gulf amid the cane fields and orange
groves of tropic Louisiana. Across the river the whistle of the locomotive is constantly heard as
hurrying trains come and go ; farther on are the green hills of Minnesota, while above them all stands
the bluffs, looking down with a consciousness of dignity that comes of age and superiority. The
scene is grand beyond description, evoking emotions of the sublime and beautiful, and inspiring the


COURT HOUSE AND GROUNDS


heart with reverence for nature and nature's God. Facing each other from opposite shores are immense
monuments of a former geological period, that have braved the storms raging about their
summits for centuries. Beside their antiquities, how brief is the span of historic lore States, kingdoms
and empires have risen and grown through their youth and manhood to old age, and disappeared,
even from memory, long after these memorials of the ages past reared their heads above the
earth at their base. Through countless centuries they have looked calmly down upon the "Father of
Waters," and marked his varying, sinuous course as he rushed heedlessly on, even to the opposing battlements
of the opposite shore."

From another writer we quote a more general description as follows: "The city of La Crosse,
second in population among Wisconsin cities and metropolis of a considerable stretch of the Mississippi
valley, has a water front of over five miles, and is built in two distinct districts, separated the one from
the other by a mile of low, marshy ground. At the northern end of the town, the Black river,
after wandering about in numerous sloughs (bayous, they would be called in Louisiana), manages to join
the "Father of Waters." Down the stream come the logs from the pineries of Northern Wisconsin,
and the convenience of sawing them where the lumber rafts could be made up for floating down
the Mississippi, was what gave La Crosse its first start. Then came the railroad from Milwaukee,
and for several years the place was the rendezvous for emigration destined to the new country of Minnesota.
Here the emigrants bought their outfits and took passage on steamboats for all the up river
points, as far as the then frontier trading post of St. Paul. Thus it was, as a distributing point for
people and merchandise bound further west, that La Crosse got its second impetus. The lumber
trade increased, new railways came, flour mills and divers other manufacturing concerns were erected,
an enormous brewing industry was developed, and so, year by year, the village grew into the town,
and the town into the city, until there are now 28,000 people, where in 1850 there were scarce a
hundred, and where, a decade further back, the Indians used to resort in their canoes to play the
game of lacrosse, because the stretch of smooth prairie was so well adapted for the sport.

The best view of the double-headed town is from the summit of one of the lofty, stone-capped
bluffs that guard the valleys on the east. A good road leads up the steep slope of the most convenient
of these rugged hills, called 'Grandfather's Bluff,' and with a horse and buggy you can reach
this superb outlook in half an hour's drive. The road takes you past a cemetery of whose beauty
the citizen's are especially proud.

Looking down from 'Grandfather's Bluff,' you see at its foot, and at the feet of its neighboring
eminences, a ribbon of green prairie crossed by many tracks, and alive with the traffic movements
of four railroads. Further away lies the city, almost hidden in green in the season of foliage
and lifting many church towers and the huge bulk of many a factory and brewery above the tree
tops. The powerful current of the Mississippi sweeps past it and around numerous islands, which so
fill the river with their low, forest-covered ground, that the railroad bridge, running from one to the
other, takes nearly two miles of distance to reach the mainland of the Minnesota shore. Great white
steamboats struggle and pant against the current, or slip swiftly down with the stream, or lie moored at the
levee. Huge piles of yellow lumber cover one of the islands and make bright patches on the landscape
at many places along the city front, where the puffs of steam from the mills flutter like pearl
gray banners in the sunlight. On the western horizon rise the buttressed walls of the blue Minnesota
hills.

If you descend into the town from your observatory on the rocks and g: about at your leisure,
you will note that the public schoolhouses are large, substantial, handsome and numerous, and will
mentally give the place a credit mark fur the liberal support it accords to education. The churches
also claim attention. So does the old-fashioned court house, built before the modern architectural
manias spread to the West, with its conventional blind justice with the scales perched upon the cupola.
A quiet and dignified building this, set in a green frame of grass and trees. The large number of
handsome residences you see in your walks show that wealth has accumulated, and has brought taste


HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING


BIRD'S-EYE VIEW FROM RAILROAD BRIDGE, NORTH LA CROSSE


ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL


PART FOUR
LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED
PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE
PUBLISHED IN EIGHT PARTS
Art Publishing Company
PRATT & OWEN
1887


DOWN MAIN, FROM THIRD STREET


and a desire for comfortable living. In the business structures the tendency to use the hard, finegrained
limestone found close to the town is to be commended. It produces pleasing effects, combining,
with the appearance of solidity given by the nature of the material, an air of lightness and
grace derived from its creamy color. This is especially noticeable in the new McMillan block, and
in the huge breweries of Gund and Heilema, The business district of the old town is very compact
and three of the four railways which reach La Crosse have managed to get close to its centre
with their passenger and freight stations, without much disturbance to the ordinary currents of sidewalk
and street travel. Two have built handsome passenger stations of dark red brick, and the third makes of
quaint, steep' roofed building both a station and a hotel. The name of this hotel is the "Cameron House."

OAK GROVE CEMETERY.
The beauties of La Crosse are not enumerated until some mention is made of its cemetery, which
is acknowledged to he the most beautiful in the state, save, perhaps, Forest Home at Milwaukee.

In the early years of La Crosse an ancient Indian burying ground was used by the few inhabitants,
and the first interment was in the year 1845. In 1851 fifteen acres of land were purchased by S. T. Smith,
and in 1857 it received the name of Wautonga Cemetery. In 1872 a company was organized under the
name of "The Oak Grove Cemetery Association of La Crosse." The natural beauty of the grounds
which were selected has been greatly heightened by the refinement of art. Among our illustrations
are several which will give some idea of the beauty and general features of the spot. There is one
showing the Washburn monument, erected to the memory of the late Governor Cadwallader C.
Washburn by the executors of his estate, at a cost of $40,000. A temporary railway had to be
built into the cemetery to transport the tall marble shaft to its destination. A more fitting monument
to honor a man whose life was full of activities and was wholly devoid of pretense and show, will
be the public library in the town, to found which he bequeathed $50,000.

BUSINESS FEATURES.
The following article touching upon some of the business features of La Crosse, from the pen
of Mr. R. Calvert, may properly he preserved in this work:

That La Crosse possesses peculiar advantages, and that her people have made much of them, no
one who has ever casually studied her history will fail to concede. All the progress which she has made,
from the position of a small trading post to that which she now occupies. has been hewn from the
natural quarries of her own resources by the skill and industry of her people. At no period in her
history has her growth been accelerated by the aid of outside capital; all of her large manufacturers
and merchant princes commenced their career with moderate means, and have each of them, by
unaided industry, raised the fabrics of fame and fortune which they now possess from the surroundings
amongst which they cast their lot.

Not the least among these advantages is the geographical situation of the city. The Black
river, which here empties itself into the Mississippi, runs through the largest pine-growing territory
in Wisconsin, amid in the five years ending 1883, as shown by statistics collected by the United States
Senate Committee on Transportation, it furnished 1,091,247,760 feet of logs to the saw mills of La
Crosse. During the same period these mil1s drew upon the resources of the Chippewa for about
100,000,000 in addition.

It may be surmised from these figures that the lumber business forms an important item in the
manufactures of the city: indeed, for a considerable period it may be said to have been the only industry
of any magnitude, and although no longer the only one, it is still the largest amid most important.

Another element contributing to the prosperity of La Crosse is the extent of agricultural
country with which it is surrounded; Western Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Southern Minnesota and the


NORTH THIRD STREET, NORTH LA CROSSE


Territory of Dakota all pay tribute to her commercial greatness They pour into her lap the golden
grain, which she in turn converts into metaphorical snow flakes, and scatters among the toiling millions
of the East.

In this business her millers are greatly aided by the system of what is known as "milling in transit,"
by which wheat is purchased in the far West, billed at through rates of freight to Chicago or the
Seaboard, arrested in transit at La Crosse, there turned into flour, and reloaded to finish its journey
under the same bill which brought it, and at the same rate.

Another factor operating to produce the sum of her commercial prosperity, is the facilities possessed
by La Crosse for receiving and distributing her materials and their products.

The mighty Mississippi and the Black river floats the logs from the forests to her doors, and rafts
much of her lumber to points of consumption, and railroads converging from all the states already mentioned
center at La Crosse. There are nominally only four of these, but the following list will show
from what different roads they have been consolidated.

RAILROADS.
The first railroad to enter La Crosse was the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, opened to
traffic in October, 1858, and which placed her merchants in direct communication with the Eastern
markets. In 1865 was forged the first link of the chain which now binds the interests of La Crosse
and Dakota and all the intervening territory in mutual bonds; in that year the first ten miles of the
Southern Minnesota Railroad was built, and year after year, assisted by La Crosse capital, that road
was steadily extended until it reached the confines of Minnesota, a distance of 300 miles, and now
penetrates 100 miles into Dakota, where it connects with a network of the system which now controls
it. In 1873, the Chicago, Clinton & Dubuque Railroad connected La Crosse with the cities of
Clinton and Dubuque, running along the west bank of the Mississippi, and by its feeders tapping at
intervals the fertile plains and valleys of Iowa.

To these may be added the Wisconsin Valley and Chippewa Valley railroads and the Virginia
and Zumbrota branches, all of which are now absorbed into the Chicago Milwaukee & St Paul
system literally "E pluribus unum" as the silver dollar has it.

The next great railroad to enter the city was the Chicago & Northwestern which was opened
to La Crosse in 1876, and in the same year the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad, aided by a
bonus of $75,000, and using the terminal facilities of the Chicago & Northwestern, also entered the
city opening up entirely new territory, and placing La Crosse in communication with the seaboard,
at a point on the Great Lakes considerably nearer the tidewater than Milwaukee or Chicago.

The latest addition to this list is the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, opened for traffic
last year, which runs from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Savannah, Illinois, along the east bank of the Mississippi,
affording easier access to a field already pre-empted by a La Crosse enterprise, furnishing a new
route to Chicago, close connections with St. Louis and with the extreme Northwest, by a corporation
broad gauged in policy, aggressive in the struggle for traffic, and able to hold its own against all competitors.

TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
As these highways of commerce, one by one, opened up new domains, they were speedily occupied
by the jobbers and manufacturers of La Crosse. To meet the seemingly insatiable requirements of the
growing West, her artisans added to the capacities of their establishments, and new industries sprang into
existence; her jobbers doubled and redoubled their resources, steadily the city grew, and its business
increased to such an extent that to-day she can claim 30,000 people, and can show as her assets
taxable property valued at $9,000,000. She possesses a banking capital bordering on $1,000,000,


NORTH ON ELEVENTH STREET
WEST ON CASS STREET


UP PEARL STREET


GRANDFATHER'S BLUFF


PART FIVE
LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED
PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE
PUBLISHED IN EIGHT PARTS
Art Publishing Company
PRATT & OWEN
1887


FIRST M. E. CHURCH
NORTH, ON WEST AVENUE


and deposits aggregating over $25,000,000; last year the railroads carried to and from La Crosse,
500,000 tons of freight; there are $4,000,000 invested in buildings and machinery for manufacturing
purposes, using upwards of 7 000-horse power, and her citizens do a business of $26,500,000 per
annum. The manufactures carried on are varied and include saw mills, boat yards, marine ways
flour mills, woolen mills, breweries, cooperages, foundries, a huge tannery, carriage works, establishments
for pork packing and for the manufacture of agricultural implements of all kinds, sash, doors
and blinds, brooms, crackers, clothing, cigars, confectionery. saddlery, and a host of minor industries.
These are being added to almost daily; during 1886 over $1,500,000 were expended in building and
corporate improvements, and the indications are that during the present year that amount will be
exceeded. The fleet of rafting and other vessels enrolled at La Crosse numbers forty-seven, with an
aggregate tonnage of 4,000 tons; and $150,000 has been appropriated by Congress for the erection of
a Custom house which will be commenced during the present spring.

While the people of La Crosse have no cause to be ashamed of their record in the past there is
ample room for still further progress, and offers tempting opportunities for the profitable employment of
increased capital either in jobbing or manufacturing. The territory tributary to her is continually enlarging,
and her present powers of supplying the demands upon her are taxed to the utmost, and the
difficulty would be not to suggest a 1ist of industries which would be profitable, but to name one
which would not.

Any account of the business relations of La Crosse would be incomplete without an allusion
to its Board of Trade, an organization composed of its public spirited citizens, amid having for its
object the general business welfare of the whole. The La Crosse Board of Trade was incorporated in
1868, and the impetus which the city then received, and its growth since then, are in a great measure due
to its increasing exertions and the unselfish enthusiasm of its members.

CHURCHES.
There are between twenty-five and thirty church organizations in La Crosse, and there are a
number of quite handsome church edifices. The early history of religious work is very much alike
in all new places. The first preaching in La Crosse is recorded as having occurred in the fall of
1849. The services were of the Episcopal faith.


CALEDONIA STREET, NORTH LA CROSSE
BIRD'S-EYE AT NORTH LA CROSSE


in 1852 a Baptist church was built, and in 1853 a religious organization, which may be said
to have been both Presbyterian and Congregationalist, was organized. The outgrowth of that organization
is the First Presbyterian church, of which Rev. Dr. W. D. Thomas is the present pastor. The
church building is shown in this work.

The First Congregational church was organized in January, 1852, with ten members. Their
present church edifice was built in 1870, and cost $34,000. It is shown in this work. The present
pastor is Rev. Thomas M. Boss.

The Baptist church was also organized in January, 1852, and the same year the First M. E.
church established itself, and the following year built a church building.

In 1855 the Onalaska and North La Crosse circuit was established, and in 1856 the German
M. E. church had a beginning.

Christ's Episcopal church was organized in January, 1857, and the German Lutheran society
in 1859.

The Roman Catholic denomination was established here in 1855, the Rev. W. Tappert being
time first resident priest. We give in this work a view of St. Joseph's cathedral, an imposing edifice,
and also St. Rosa de Vitebo's convent. 'The former was built in 1870 amid the latter in 1871.

Other church organizations have come into existence from time to time, until now all the
various denominations are well represented and sustained.

GAS WORKS.
Gas works were established in 1860 by Daniel Wells and Arnold & Blanchard. In 1865 the
works were purchased by John Greenleaf, and a little later they were sold to Walker & Brown. In
1869 A. D. D. McMillen purchased the works, and for the first time they were put in successful
operation.

NORTH LA CROSSE.
A former suburb of La Crosse has grown to Such proportions as to become an important
business center, and to distinguish it from the business portion of the old city, it is known as North
La Crosse. The street railway traverses the causeway just north of the old city, and just beyond,
lying along the Black river, is a growing city of 10,000 inhabitants, which is North La Crosse. It is
really a ward in the city of La Crosse, and yet, being separated from it by the causeway that extends
back from the river, one might naturally suppose it was a separate and distinct place. Along
the river front are a number of large saw mills, and back of these lie the residences, shops and
all the diversified interests of a well appointed city. We give in this work a variety of illustrations
calculated to give one a fair idea of the general features of the place.

We reproduce a sketch of North La Crosse which has already been in print, as it furnishes
a very good description of the place.

While the old city of La Crosse has been making substantial progress in its industries, wealth
and population the northern suburb, called North La Crosse, separated from the main town by a
mile of marsh land, through which flows the narrow La Crosse river, has gone forward since last
summer with extraordinary rapidity. Originally a saw mill village, created by the big lumbering concerns
which found convenient ground for their mills and yards where the Black river joins the Mississippi,
North La Crosse has now 7,000 people, and will have 10,000 by next fall, judging from its
present rate of growth. The immediate cause of this new activity was the opening of the Chicago,
Burlington & Northern Railroad, and the building of car shops, round house and other railway improvements
required by a division terminus. Between the eastern outskirts of North La Crosse, as it
existed a year ago, and the foot of the steep hills which bound the valley, there lay a handsome stretch


ROSE STREET, NORTH LA CROSSE


VIEW AT SAWYER & AUSTIN'S SAW MILL, NORTH LA CROSSE


PART SIX
LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED
PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE
PUBLISHED IN EIGHT PARTS
Art Publishing Company
PRATT & OWEN
1887


BLUFFS BACK OF THE CITY
BURLINGTON HOUSE CORNER


of prairie, occupied by farms. Foreseeing what was coming, J. B. Canterburv, an enterprising real estate
dealer, bought about 1,000 acres of the land, at prices ranging from $50 to $500 per acre. He sold it
to the St. Paul Land Company, a corporation acting in harmony with the railway company. to lay out
new towns and improve old ones along the lines of the new road. The land was platted and a brisk
demand rose at once for the lots for building purposes. No "boom" was necessary to dispose of them,
for hundreds of them were wanted for homes for the numerous employes of the Chicago, Burlington &
Northern Railroad. The lots sold readily for from $300 to $400 each, and the prairie is now covered
with dwellings in all stages of construction. Never have I seen such lively work with saws and hammers
since the Dakota towns blossomed out as if by magic in 1881 and 1882. A new town is springing up all
at once in the borders of the old one, with scores of new streets and hundreds of buildings of all
styles and sizes. At the same time the old town is closely filling up its scattered outskirts, so that
the operations of the railroad and the land company are resulting in fully as much building within
the former limits of North La Crosse as in the newly platted suburb.

The principal improvements of the C. B. & N. Company are a round house for forty locomotives
and extensive repair ships. The company is also putting up a building costing $20,000 for
reading rooms, bath rooms and other comforts for the free use of its employes. A wise and liberal
corporation is this Burlington Company, recognizing the truth that. workingmen have something else
in them besides bones and muscles, aiding them in their intellectual life and attracting them to its
service by ties of affection as well as of self-interest.

Near the C. B. & N. improvements is a place called Grand Crossing, where the tracks of four
important railroads intersect within the distance of 100 yards. These roads are the Chicago. Milwaukee
& St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern, the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul, and the Chicago,
Burlington and Northern. The movements of trains on all these roads makes an exceedingly animated
spectacle. Here is being developed an important freight transfer business, which is adding materially
to the prosperity of North La Crosse.

It is surprising to see how much of growth has been caused by' a single railroad in North
La Crosse yet on investigation it will be seen that this is no forced, mushroom growth. The shop
men and the train men employed by time new road will, with their families, form a population of 3,000,
and must be provided with dwellings at once. This large added population of salaried working people
attracts numerous stores and shops, and new tradesmen and mechanics come in to supply this new
demand for their goods and services. Besides, the Burlington opens a new country to La Crosse trade,
following as it does the east bank of the Mississippi, where there was no railroad before. The west bank
got a railroad nearly thirty years ago, and there the towns grew up. The farmers on the eastern shore
were obliged to ferry across the river when they wanted to ship their products by rail to market or had
occasion to travel. Now they can come into La Crosse from their own side of the Mississippi. Thus
the new road has its reality annexed large districts above and below La Crosse to the area reached
by time trade of the city and this fact, even more than the important local improvements made by
the company accounts for the new growth.

FROM THE BOARD OF TRADE REPORT.

We copy some extracts from the report of the Secretary of the Board of Trade for the year
1886: --

The Citizens of La Crosse have hitherto made haste slowly. and have retained every inch of
vantage ground gained; during the past year private enterprise has expended a million of dollars
in the erection of factories and dwellings; corporate enterprise has added half a million more, and
still not a vacant house or eligible store can he found to rent,- facts which should Convince the most
habitual pessimist that La Crosse is not enjoying the precarious luxury of a boom, but marching
steadily onward in accordance with her natural advantages and the traditions of which they are a


VIEWS AT PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S RECEPTION, 1887


part. Another encouraging feature in the statistics is the unprecedented increase of time railroad tonnage
at La Crosse for 1866, the freight received being 114,431 tons and the freight forwarded
61,851 tons more than in 1885, an increase of a fraction over fifty-six per cent.

The value of goods manufactured during the year amounted to $12,002,665, being an increase
of 11.88 per cent., and the value of the merchandise handled amounted to $10,229,350, an increase
of somewhat under seven per cent., facts which will he found more in detail in the tables which
accompany the report.

There are no data extant for arriving exactly at our present population the great number of
dwelling houses erected during time year and all occupied, the vast number of mew faces to be met
every day, on the street, in the churches, and places of amusement, all tell of a very large increase.
Our most conservative citizens acknowledge that we have certainly got beyond twenty-five thousand,
and the more sanguine claim over thirty thousand, but figures midway between these two would
probably be more correct . From the foregoing facts and suggestions, it may he gathered that at
present the city is in somewhat of a transition state ; it certainly has made great progress in territory,
in population and in manufacturing and distributing facilities, the fuller effects of which will be
seen within the next twelve months ; it has also made considerable additions to the comforts and
conveniences which are the accomplishments of modern civilization, and to which I shall refer more in
detail further on in this report ; but while it has thus attained a recognized position among the cities
of time Northwest, it has not yet entirely laid aside many of the habits and modes of thought which
belonged to the thriving village, very useful in their day, but scarcely suited for time larger interest
of which they must now treat.

The street car system has also been extended during the year, and the success which attended
its extension, even into comparatively new districts, has placed it beyond the experimental stage of
its growth. During the coming year still greater facilities will be offered by time company, which now
operates five and a half miles of track, with sixty-five horses and fifteen cars, and more are being
built. Notwithstanding the opposition which was manifested to the company using Main street, it is
now generally conceded that the benefits predominate, and the public are generally satisfied.

It has been hitherto been our pride that our Common and High schools were equal in educational
staff and appliances, prescribed course, and accommodation for pupils to those of any city in the
state, or indeed of any state. The large increase in population has called for increased facilities to
an extent which has been fairly met for the present, and will doubtless be fully provided for in
the future. By time tables to be found in their proper place it will he seen that the School Census
of 1886 shows an increase of 732 children of school age, another indication of our growth in
population.

In previous reports I have laid stress upon the statistics of the Railroad traffic, of the post
office and of the banks, as being unerring indicators of our financial standing, and I am glad that
in the figures for the year, these show our standing to be first-class.

Among the tables will be found, by the courtesy of Postmaster Burroughs, a concise and complete
statement of the transactions of the post office during the year and I would again direct your
attention to a feature which is significant. By the report, it will be seen that during 1886 the
amount of money orders paid in La Crosse exceeded the amount issued by almost $71,000-a very
satisfactory balance in our favor. The same feature is also prominent in the various banks, as will
be seen by the tables presented.

That the banks themselves are in first-class condition as to resources and stability will be
recognized by the official statements to be found at the close of the report, and by the courtesy
of the officers I am also able to lay before you the following tabulated statement of their aggregate
transactions with the public


VIEWS AT PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S RECEPTION, 1887


MAGILL BROS.' BANK BUILDING, NORTH LA CROSSE


CORNER SECOND AND MAIN STREETS


PART SEVEN
LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED
PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE
PUBLISHED IN EIGHT PARTS
Art Publishing Company
PRATT & OWEN
1887


BATAVIAN BANK BUILDING

BANK Aggregate Deposits Aggregate Discounts Exchange Bought Exchange Sold Currency Imported Currency Exported
Batavian $11,413,117 $2,615,905 $7,281,460 $7,399,390 $1,299,000 $1,515,100
La Crosse National 7,558,300 2,169,750 5,308,200 4,799,500 545,500 1,013,000
Union National 3,233,000 807,000 1,199,000 1,130,000 150,000 50,000
State Bank of La Crosse 2,543,000 575,000 1,520,000 1,565,000 100,000 100,000
Exchange Bank 328,712 61,484 394,562 392,990 3,300 1,576

$25,076,129 $6,229,139 $15,703,222 $15,286,880 $2,097,800 $2,679,676
Amounts in 1885 23,204,140 4,171,838 16,077,873 14,366,458 1,983,040

2,714,485


Increase 1,871,989 2,057,301 920,422
Decrease 374,651




It will thus be seen that at during the year the aggregate deposits have exceeded those of 1885 by
Nearly two millions of dollars, and that considerably over that amount has been in addition furnished by
The various banks, indicating not only increased means on the part of our business men, but also the
Will and ability of the banks to aid legitimate enterprise.

During the year now closed the Board has not been idle, but through its various committees has
performed very effective work, in securing extended mail facilities, in preventing legislation adverse to the
interests of the city and its natural territory, and in extending and developing some of our existing
industrial establishments, but much unfinished business, if I may so term it, remains to be disposed of.

Before closing, I must express a sense of obligation to the Committees on Manufactures and Postal
Routes, the chairmen especially of which have always placed their time at my disposal, and from whom
I have received much valuable assistance. The Committee on Membership appointed at the last annual
meeting has been very effective, its time following statement of membership will show -

Members commencement of year 133
Members added during the year 72
---- 205
Withdrew from membership 2
Left the city 1
Lost by death 1
---- 4
Total membership 201



FIRST WARD SCHOOL BUILDING

SCHOOL CENSUS FOR 1886

DISTRICT

BOYS GIRLS TOTAL
First 647 731 1378
Second 149 172 321
Third 570 595 1165
Fourth 239 252 491
Fifth 867 949 1816
Sixth 933 926 1859
Totals, 1886 3405 3625 7030
Totals, 1885 3019 3279 6298
Increase 386 346 732

 

Average Enrollment 2,867
Average Attendance 2,282
Actual expenses 1886, including lots purchased for school purposes $57,652.96
Estimated Expense, 1887 $48,000.00


BUILDING OPERATIONS OF THE YEAR

WARD BUILDINGS OF A PUBLIC NATURE NEW DWELLINGS ADD'S OR IMP TO EXISTING DWELLINGS TOTALS
First 69,850 50,100 16,905 136,855
Second 169,500 1,000 ........... 170,500
Third 77,000 64,300 7,625 148,925
Fourth 127,050 55,820 11,150 194,020
Fifth 144,000 54,800 4,900 203,700
Sixth 21,200 107,950 7,700 136,850
Total wards 608,600 333,970 48,280 990,850
City at Large-
Water Works, extension of mains, etc. 50,000
Gas Company, "             "       "       " 10,000
C.B.&N., C.M.&St.P. and C.B.&N.W. Railway companies 462,500
Grand total $1,513,350


COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF BUILDING OPERATIONS FOR SIX SUCCESSIVE YEARS

YEAR BUILDINGS OF A PUBLIC NATURE DWELLINGS TOTAL
1881 269,800 234,650 504,450
1882 272,950 205,225 478,175
1883 310,850 329,790 640,640
1884 196,575 457,890 654,465
1885 344,825 434,490 779,315
1886 1,131,100 382,250 1,513,350

Total

$2,526,100

$2,044,295

$4,570,395


BERGER AND STIRNEMAN BLOCK


CORNER MAIN AND SECOND STREETS


THE WASHBURN MONUMENT
VIEW ON KING STREET


PART EIGHT
LA CROSSE ILLUSTRATED
PICTURESQUE AND DESCRIPTIVE
PUBLISHED IN EIGHT PARTS
Art Publishing Company
PRATT & OWEN
1887


THIRD STREET FROM MAIN


LA CROSSE WALLIS' CARRIAGE WORKS
ST. ROSA DE VITERBOS CONVENT


BAPTIST CHURCH - NORTH LA CROSSE
STATE BANK BUILDING - LA CROSSE


Our saw mills, during 1886, cut 158,130,000 feet of lumber, 35,842,000 pieces lath, and 82,732,000
shingles, notwithstanding that two of the largest mills were destroyed by fire before the season
commenced, and have only as yet resumed work import a comparatively limited scale.

The brewers manufactured 77,586 barrels of beer, an increase of 17,531 over the product of
1885.

Bbls. Flour.
The Flour mills manufactured in 1886 354,760
"       "        "            "             "  1885  337,556
An increase of 27,204




LA CROSSE BANKS.
The Batavian Bank is the oldest banking institution doing business in La Crosse. It was
organized in November, 1861. Mr. G. Van Steenwyck has been its president from its organization.
The present cashier, E. E. Bently, has held that position for twelve years. A very handsome building,
stone front, has been built by this bank, a portion of which is for its own use. This building
is shown among our illustrations.

The other banks now doing business in La Crosse are the La Crosse National Bank, G. C.
Hixon president and S. S. Burton cashier; the State Bank of La Crosse, D. D. McMillan president,
J. M. Hollev cashier; Union National Bank, Angus Cameron president, I. N. Perry cashier; Exchange
Bank of Magill Bros. at North La Crosse.


STREET RAILWAY.
Articles of association were adopted and a charter procured by David Law and others for the
construction of a street railway as early as 1865 or 1866. Nothing further was done at the time,
and in 1872 another company was organized, with a capital stock of $16,000, but still the road was
not built. In 1878 another company was organized, and a charter procured by David Law, G. C.
Hixon and P. S. Davidson, A road was built, so that cars commenced running in July, 1879.


LA CROSSE WATER WORKS


SALZER'S SEED HOUSE
SCHOOL BUILDING, NORTH LA CROSSE


LA CROSSE SOAP COMPANY
I. Schilling, Ph. Schmidt, A. Schilling
 


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