La Crosse, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat
of La Crosse County, Wisconsin
, United States
. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River
.
The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485. The city forms the core of, and is the principal city in the La Crosse Metropolitan Statistical Area
, which includes all of La Crosse County and Houston County, Minnesota
, with a combined population of 133,665. La Crosse is a college town
and is the home to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
, Viterbo University
, and Western Technical College
.
fur trade
rs who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. There is no written record, however, of any visit to the site until 1805, when Lt. Zebulon Pike
mounted an expedition up the Mississippi River for the United States
. Pike recorded the location's name as "Prairie La Crosse". The name originated when he saw the Native Americans playing a game with sticks that resembled a bishop's crozier or la crosse
in French
.
The first white settlement at La Crosse occurred in 1841 when Nathan Myrick
, a New York native, moved to the village at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
to work in the fur trade
. Myrick was disappointed to find that because many fur traders were already well-entrenched there, there were no openings for him in the trade. As a result, he decided to establish a trading post upriver at the then still unsettled site of Prairie La Crosse. In 1841, he built a temporary trading post on Barron Island (now called Pettibone Park), which lies just west of La Crosse's present downtown. The following year, Myrick relocated the post to the mainland prairie, partnering with H.J.B. Miller to run the outfit.
The spot Myrick chose to build his trading post proved ideal for settlement. It was near the junction of the Black
, La Crosse
, and Mississippi Rivers. In addition, the post was built at one of the few points along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River where a broad plain ideal for development existed between the river's bank and the tall bluffs
that line the river valley. Because of these advantages, a small village grew around Myrick's trading post in the 1840s.
A small Mormon
community settled at La Crosse in 1844, building several dozen cabins a few miles south of Myrick's post. Although these settlers relocated away from the Midwest after just a year, the land they occupied near La Crosse continues to bear the name Mormon Coulee.
On June 23, 1850, Father James Lloyd Breck
of the Episcopal Church
said the first Christian liturgy (Episcopalian liturgy) on top of Grandad Bluff
. Today a monument to that event stands atop the bluff, near the parking lot at a scenic overlook.
More permanent development took place closer to Myrick's trading post, where stores, a hotel, and a post office were constructed during the 1840s. Under the direction of Timothy Burns
, lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, surveyor William Hood platted the village in 1851. This opened it up for further settlement, which was achieved rapidly as a result of promotion of the city in eastern newspapers. By 1855, La Crosse had grown in population to nearly two thousand residents, leading to its incorporation in 1856. The city grew even more rapidly after 1858 with the completion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the second railroad connecting Milwaukee
to the Mississippi River.
During the second half of the 19th century, La Crosse grew to become one of the largest cities in Wisconsin. At that time, it was a major economic center in the state, especially of the lumber industry, for logs cut in the interior of the state could be rafted down the Black River toward sawmill
s built in the city. La Crosse also became a center for the brewing
industry and other manufacturers that saw advantages in the city's location adjacent to major transportation arteries, such as the Mississippi River and the railroad between Milwaukee and St. Paul, Minnesota. Around the turn of the 20th century, the city also became a center for education, with three colleges and universities established in the city between 1890 and 1912.
La Crosse remains the largest city on Wisconsin's western border, and the educational institutions in the city have recently led it toward becoming a regional technology and medical hub.
La Crosse is located on the western border of the midsection of Wisconsin
, on a broad alluvial
plain along the east side of the Mississippi River
. The Black River
empties into the Mississippi north of the city, and the La Crosse River
flows into the Mississippi just north of the downtown area. Just upriver from its mouth, this river broadens into a marshland that splits the city into two distinct sections, north and south.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 22.2 square miles (57.4 km²), of which, 20.1 square miles (52.2 km²) of it is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²) of it (9.12%) is water.
Surrounding the relatively flat prairie
valley
where La Crosse lies are towering 500 ft bluffs
, one of the most prominent of which is Grandad Bluff
(mentioned in Life on the Mississippi
by Mark Twain
), which has an overlook of the three states region. This feature typifies the topography of the Driftless Area in which La Crosse sits. This rugged region is composed of high ridges dissected by narrow valleys called coulee
s, a French term. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".
Several smaller cities and towns are located in the La Crosse area, including Onalaska
, Holmen
, and West Salem, Wisconsin
.
' upper midwest
gives the area a temperate
, continental climate
. The warmest month of the year is July, when the average high temperature is 85 °F (29 °C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 63 °F (18 °C). January is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging 26 °F (-4 °C), with the overnight low temperatures around 6 °F (-14 °C).
Suburbs include French Island in the Town of Campbell
, the Town of Medary
, City of Onalaska
and the Town of Shelby
.
To meet the needs of the increasing refugee population, the La Crosse Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association (HMAA) was formed and incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt agency in December 1982. Today, the Asian population of La Crosse is over 4,000.
of 2010, there were 51,320 people, 21,428 households, and 9,691 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,501.5 people per square mile (965.6/km²). There were 22,628 housing units at an average density of 1,102.7 per square mile (425.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.8% White, 2.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races
, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.
There were 21,428 households out of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.8% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.2% under the age of 18, 26.5% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
According to 2008-2010 ACS
estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $36,728, and the median income for a family was $54,604. Males had a median income of $35,713 versus $28,283 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,408. About 14.3% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
La Crosse is a Democratic
stronghold in local, state and national politics. Both the City of La Crosse and La Crosse County have voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988. In the 2008 presidential election
, Barack Obama won 69% of the City of La Crosse and 61% of La Crosse County.
In the United States Congress, Democrat Ron Kind
has represented La Crosse as part of Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district
since 1997. The city is almost coterminous with the 95th Wisconsin State Assembly
District and is represented by Democrat Jill Billings. Additionally, Democrat Steve Doyle
currently represents suburban La Crosse County in the 94th Assembly District. La Crosse is part of the State Senate
District 32 and is represented by Democrat Jennifer Shilling
.
In 2009, the La Crosse Common Council’s Committee along with La Crosse County supervisors overwhelmingly voted in support of the "City of La Crosse and La Crosse County Strategic Plan for Sustainability." The overview of the plan is to reduce consumption of fossil fuels, lessen impacts to the natural
environment, and ensure that the citizen’s needs are met fairly, efficiently, and cost effectively.
La Crosse also has relocated businesses such as:
La Crosse and the surrounding communities form a regional commercial center and shopping hub. In the northeastern part of the city lies the region's largest shopping center, Valley View Mall
. The surrounding area includes numerous big-box store
s, and many restaurants. Other shopping centers in the La Crosse region include Three Rivers Plaza, Marsh View Center, Shelby Mall, Jackson Plaza, Bridgeview Plaza, and the Village Shopping Center. Downtown La Crosse has continued to grow in recent years, providing shopping, farmers' markets, hotels, restaurants, specialty shops, and events at La Crosse Center alongside the Mississippi River.
The La Crosse Center
is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena built in 1980 in downtown La Crosse on the Mississippi River. It is also a convention center offering 21600 square feet (2,006.7 m²) of exhibit space, a 45 feet (14 m) ceiling height, a 60-by-40-foot stage, two locker rooms and three dressing rooms. There is also a 14935 square feet (1,388 m²) North Hall which can open up to be used in combination with the arena, and a 38740 square feet (3,599 m²) South Exhibit Hall. The three venues total 75275 square feet (6,993 m²) of exhibit space. The complex also contains 9432 square feet (876 m²) of meeting room space in five meeting rooms, which can be divided into nine meeting rooms.
While both exhibit halls and the arena are used for trade shows, conventions, meetings and banquets, the arena is also used for sporting events, concerts, circuses, ice shows, and other events.
La Crosse's largest newspaper is the daily La Crosse Tribune
. The Second Supper
, a free weekly tabloid with material of interest to the under-30 demographic group, is also published in the area, as are two shoppers, the Foxxy Shopper and the Buyer's Express. The Racquet is the University of Wisconsin La Crosse's free weekly paper.
Coulee Parenting Connection, a regional parenting publication serving families in the La Crosse metropolitan area.
La Crosse is well served by television. Its major network television affiliates are: ABC
affiliate WXOW; CBS
affiliate WKBT
; Fox
affiliate WLAX
and PBS
affiliate WHLA. Also two NBC
affiliates; WEAU, from Eau Claire
and KTTC
from Rochester, Minnesota
. An independent station, KQEG-CA
, is also in La Crosse.
La Crosse is home to three regional colleges and universities. These include the public University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and Western Technical College
, as well as the Roman Catholic Viterbo University
. The Health Science Center is a combined effort of all the La Crosse medical centers, universities and government agencies to advance students in the medical fields.
For primary and secondary education, the La Crosse area is served by the School District of La Crosse
, with 21 elementary, middle, high, and charter schools. La Crosse Central High School
and Logan High School
are the two public high schools serving the La Crosse area. With a total enrollment of 7,213 students in 2006, making it the 16th largest school district in the state. The La Crosse School District has 635 teachers of which 73% hold a master's degree or higher.
La Crosse is also served by a Waldorf School, Three Rivers School.
In addition, La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools, a Roman Catholic school district affiliated with the Diocese of La Crosse, is centered in the city and includes Aquinas High School
, and Aquinas Middle School
.
Another Roman Catholic school, the Providence Academy
, is independent from Coulee Catholic Schools and has no affiliation with the Diocese of La Crosse.
and Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
is a regional health care facility located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that is also an ACS nationally certified Level II Trauma Center. It is the primary hospital associated with the Gundersen Clinic medical group and the location of the Western campus for the University of Wisconsin Medical School. The Gundersen Lutheran Health System, headquartered in La Crosse, manages 23 locations throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa with nearly 6,000 employees. Since 2005, the system has annually been ranked by Thomson Reuters Healthcare in the Top 100 National Hospitals, as well as received HealthGrades
2011 5-star rating award.
Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
is an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic
. Franciscan Skemp, which was the first western Wisconsin hospital to open its doors in 1883 as St. Francis Hospital, was started by the Catholic Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
, who still are associated with the medical center. In 1995, Franciscan Skemp merged with Mayo Clinic
Health Systems in Rochester, Minnesota
, located only 60 miles away. A new trauma and emergency department, helicopter pad, and surgery wing recently opened in 2007.
The Health Science Center, located on the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus, is a combined effort of both medical centers, UW–La Crosse, Viterbo University, Western College, the School District of La Crosse, and various government educational groups. The purpose was to prepare and train students for advancement in the medical field.
, won the best natural tasting water award in September 2007 in a statewide tasting competition hosted by the Wisconsin Water Association. The city faced off against groundwater and surface water utilities from Algoma, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Pell Lake, Shawano, Shawano Lake, and Watertown at the annual meeting of the association. La Crosse’s drinking water is pumped from deep ground wells to a distribution center and is treated with chlorine and fluoride; some wells are treated with polyphosphate.
The La Crosse Municipal Airport
provides direct scheduled passenger service to Minneapolis
, Detroit and Chicago
through Delta Air Lines
and its Northwest links, Mesaba, Compass
, and Pinnacle
, as well as American Airlines
link American Eagle Airlines
. Sun Country
and Xtra Airways
provide charter service to Laughlin
and Elko, Nevada
, and other destinations. The airport also serves general aviation
for the La Crosse region.
The city is served by several major highways and Interstate, including Interstate 90
, U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 53, U.S. Highway 61, Wisconsin State Highway 35, Wisconsin State Highway 16, Wisconsin State Highway 33.
The City of La Crosse's MTU bus service
with routes reaching out to the suburb
s served over one million users in 2007.
On the Mississippi River
, cargo is transported to and from this area to St Paul and St Louis, using towboats, primarily moving dry bulk cargo barge
s for coal, grain, and other low-value bulk goods.
The Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Cass St. bridge and the newer Cameron Street bridge (photo with blue arch) both connect downtown La Crosse with La Crescent, Minnesota
. These two bridges cross the Mississippi River, as does the Interstate 90 bridge located just northwest of La Crosse, connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Railroad tracks owned by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway
(BNSF) pass through La Crosse providing freight service. The former Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad/Milwaukee Road/Soo Line and now Canadian Pacific Railway runs through the city as well. It provides the track on which the La Crosse Amtrak station
is located, and is a stop for the Empire Builder
providing cross-country passenger rail service.
for the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse
. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman
is the mother church of the Diocese. St. Rose of Viterbo Convent
, the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
is in La Crosse. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
is in La Crosse.
The La Crosse Area ELCA
Synod includes 43,600 members from 81 congregations in 10 counties in western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.
is the city's Eastern Orthodox Church
.
is the city's Episcopal church.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) has an active congregation, La Crosse Ward, in neighboring community Onalaska
.
of the Northwoods League
, play at their home field at Copeland Park
on the north side of La Crosse in the summer months. In the past, La Crosse has been home to the Catbirds
and the Bobcats
of the CBA
, as well as the River Rats of the IFL, the Spartans
of the IFL
and the Night Train
of the NIFL
.
La Crosse is also home to the NCAA Division III University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UW–L) Eagles. The university's 10,000 seat Veterans Memorial Field
for football (turf field) and outdoor timed track opened in the 2009. The stadium will continue to host the WIAA
Wisconsin high school outdoor track and field
state championships in June.
In the winter season, the Coulee Region Chill
is a team in the North American Hockey League
that began playing in September 2010 at the Omni Center in Onalaska. Additionally, Mt. La Crosse, the areas only ski hill which opened in 1959 provides eighteen slopes and trails in the winter months. The ski hill is home to Damnation!, Mid-America's steepest trail.
The La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway
, located in nearby West Salem
, is the first and only paved NASCAR
-sanctioned asphalt stock car racing track in Wisconsin.
Hunting and fishing are very popular all seasons of the year, and the Mississippi
and other rivers, sloughs, creeks, lakes, the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge, and hilltops and valleys with public woodlands are available to sportsmen and families.
relationships with six foreign cities: Bantry
, Ireland Dubna
, Russia Epinal
, France Friedberg, Bavaria
Germany Førde
Norway Luoyang
, China
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of La Crosse County, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485. The city forms the core of, and is the principal city in the La Crosse Metropolitan Statistical Area
La Crosse Metropolitan Area
The La Crosse Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of La Crosse and Houston counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota, anchored by the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin...
, which includes all of La Crosse County and Houston County, Minnesota
Houston County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,718 people, 7,633 households, and 5,411 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile . There were 8,168 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
, with a combined population of 133,665. La Crosse is a college town
College town
A college town or university town is a community which is dominated by its university population...
and is the home to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse is a public university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA...
, Viterbo University
Viterbo University
Viterbo University is a Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States in the Diocese of La Crosse.-History:...
, and Western Technical College
Western Technical College
Western Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. The main campus is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.The school was previously known as Western Wisconsin Technical College , but the "Wisconsin" part of the name was officially dropped on March 29, 2006.-Other...
.
History
La Crosse was incorporated as a city in 1856, but its history dates further. The first Europeans to see the site of La Crosse were FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
rs who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. There is no written record, however, of any visit to the site until 1805, when Lt. Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. was an American officer and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. As a United States Army captain in 1806-1807, he led the Pike Expedition to explore and document the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase and to find the headwaters of the Red River,...
mounted an expedition up the Mississippi River for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Pike recorded the location's name as "Prairie La Crosse". The name originated when he saw the Native Americans playing a game with sticks that resembled a bishop's crozier or la crosse
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
.
The first white settlement at La Crosse occurred in 1841 when Nathan Myrick
Nathan Myrick
Nathan Myrick founded La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1841. Myrick was in the fur trade in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin before traveling north to establish a fur trading post in what is now La Crosse. In 1849, he moved to St...
, a New York native, moved to the village at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
to work in the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
. Myrick was disappointed to find that because many fur traders were already well-entrenched there, there were no openings for him in the trade. As a result, he decided to establish a trading post upriver at the then still unsettled site of Prairie La Crosse. In 1841, he built a temporary trading post on Barron Island (now called Pettibone Park), which lies just west of La Crosse's present downtown. The following year, Myrick relocated the post to the mainland prairie, partnering with H.J.B. Miller to run the outfit.
The spot Myrick chose to build his trading post proved ideal for settlement. It was near the junction of the Black
Black River (Wisconsin)
Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 160 miles long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County at approximately west of the village of Rib Lake....
, La Crosse
La Crosse River
The La Crosse River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 50 mi long, in southwestern Wisconsin in the United States.-Course:...
, and Mississippi Rivers. In addition, the post was built at one of the few points along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River where a broad plain ideal for development existed between the river's bank and the tall bluffs
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
that line the river valley. Because of these advantages, a small village grew around Myrick's trading post in the 1840s.
A small Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
community settled at La Crosse in 1844, building several dozen cabins a few miles south of Myrick's post. Although these settlers relocated away from the Midwest after just a year, the land they occupied near La Crosse continues to bear the name Mormon Coulee.
On June 23, 1850, Father James Lloyd Breck
James Lloyd Breck
James Lloyd Breck was a priest, educator and missionary of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.James Lloyd Breck is commemorated on April 2 on the Episcopal calendar of saints.-Early life and education:...
of the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
said the first Christian liturgy (Episcopalian liturgy) on top of Grandad Bluff
Grandad Bluff
Grandad Bluff is a mesa on the east side of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Grandad Bluff is approximately 590 feet above the surrounding land and 1183 feet above sea level....
. Today a monument to that event stands atop the bluff, near the parking lot at a scenic overlook.
More permanent development took place closer to Myrick's trading post, where stores, a hotel, and a post office were constructed during the 1840s. Under the direction of Timothy Burns
Timothy Burns
Timothy Burns was Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 1851 until his death while in office in 1853, serving as a Democrat. Timothy Burns was born in Dublin, Ireland. As a young man, he settled in Iowa County, Wisconsin....
, lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, surveyor William Hood platted the village in 1851. This opened it up for further settlement, which was achieved rapidly as a result of promotion of the city in eastern newspapers. By 1855, La Crosse had grown in population to nearly two thousand residents, leading to its incorporation in 1856. The city grew even more rapidly after 1858 with the completion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the second railroad connecting Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
to the Mississippi River.
During the second half of the 19th century, La Crosse grew to become one of the largest cities in Wisconsin. At that time, it was a major economic center in the state, especially of the lumber industry, for logs cut in the interior of the state could be rafted down the Black River toward sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s built in the city. La Crosse also became a center for the brewing
Brewing
Brewing is the production of beer through steeping a starch source in water and then fermenting with yeast. Brewing has taken place since around the 6th millennium BCE, and archeological evidence suggests that this technique was used in ancient Egypt...
industry and other manufacturers that saw advantages in the city's location adjacent to major transportation arteries, such as the Mississippi River and the railroad between Milwaukee and St. Paul, Minnesota. Around the turn of the 20th century, the city also became a center for education, with three colleges and universities established in the city between 1890 and 1912.
La Crosse remains the largest city on Wisconsin's western border, and the educational institutions in the city have recently led it toward becoming a regional technology and medical hub.
Geography
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, on a broad alluvial
Alluvium
Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated soil or sediments, eroded, deposited, and reshaped by water in some form in a non-marine setting. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel...
plain along the east side of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The Black River
Black River (Wisconsin)
Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 160 miles long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County at approximately west of the village of Rib Lake....
empties into the Mississippi north of the city, and the La Crosse River
La Crosse River
The La Crosse River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 50 mi long, in southwestern Wisconsin in the United States.-Course:...
flows into the Mississippi just north of the downtown area. Just upriver from its mouth, this river broadens into a marshland that splits the city into two distinct sections, north and south.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 22.2 square miles (57.4 km²), of which, 20.1 square miles (52.2 km²) of it is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²) of it (9.12%) is water.
Surrounding the relatively flat prairie
Prairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
where La Crosse lies are towering 500 ft bluffs
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
, one of the most prominent of which is Grandad Bluff
Grandad Bluff
Grandad Bluff is a mesa on the east side of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Grandad Bluff is approximately 590 feet above the surrounding land and 1183 feet above sea level....
(mentioned in Life on the Mississippi
Life on the Mississippi
Life on the Mississippi is a memoir by Mark Twain, of his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War, and also a travel book, recounting his trip along the Mississippi many years after the War....
by Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
), which has an overlook of the three states region. This feature typifies the topography of the Driftless Area in which La Crosse sits. This rugged region is composed of high ridges dissected by narrow valleys called coulee
Coulee
Coulee is applied rather loosely to different landforms, all of which refer to a kind of valley or drainage zone.The word coulee comes from the Canadian French coulée, from French word couler meaning "to flow"....
s, a French term. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".
Several smaller cities and towns are located in the La Crosse area, including Onalaska
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area....
, Holmen
Holmen, Wisconsin
Holmen is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,005 at the 2010 census. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area.-Geography:...
, and West Salem, Wisconsin
West Salem, Wisconsin
West Salem is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, along the La Crosse River. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,799 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
Climate
La Crosse's location in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' upper midwest
Upper Midwest
The Upper Midwest is a region in the northern portion of the U.S. Census Bureau's Midwestern United States. It is largely a sub-region of the midwest. Although there are no uniformly agreed-upon boundaries, the region is most commonly used to refer to the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and...
gives the area a temperate
Temperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
, continental climate
Continental climate
Continental climate is a climate characterized by important annual variation in temperature due to the lack of significant bodies of water nearby...
. The warmest month of the year is July, when the average high temperature is 85 °F (29 °C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 63 °F (18 °C). January is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging 26 °F (-4 °C), with the overnight low temperatures around 6 °F (-14 °C).
Neighborhoods and districts
La Crosse has 17 voting districts (wards). Neighborhoods in the city include:- Washburn
- Historic Cass & King
- Historic downtown
- Northside (Upper and Lower) and Old Towne
- Hungary Point
- Mud City
- Goosetown (UW–La Crosse campus district)
Suburbs include French Island in the Town of Campbell
Campbell, Wisconsin
Campbell is a town in the middle of the Mississippi River in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,441 at the 2006 census....
, the Town of Medary
Medary, Wisconsin
Medary is a town in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,455 at the 2006 census. It is part of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, City of Onalaska
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area....
and the Town of Shelby
Shelby, Wisconsin
Shelby is a town in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,592 at the 2006 census.-Geography:...
.
Diversity
The first Southeast Asian refugees to arrive in La Crosse came in 1974. It was a Vietnamese family of five. Then in 1975, the first Cambodian family (of three) settled in this area. The first Hmong refugees arrived in June 1976. During the next few years, the number of refugees from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam continued to increase. By 1982, there were approximately 800 Southeast Asian refugees in La Crosse.To meet the needs of the increasing refugee population, the La Crosse Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association (HMAA) was formed and incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt agency in December 1982. Today, the Asian population of La Crosse is over 4,000.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 51,320 people, 21,428 households, and 9,691 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,501.5 people per square mile (965.6/km²). There were 22,628 housing units at an average density of 1,102.7 per square mile (425.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.8% White, 2.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.
There were 21,428 households out of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.8% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.2% under the age of 18, 26.5% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
According to 2008-2010 ACS
American Community Survey
The American Community Survey is an ongoing statistical survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, sent to approximately 250,000 addresses monthly . It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census...
estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $36,728, and the median income for a family was $54,604. Males had a median income of $35,713 versus $28,283 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,408. About 14.3% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
The city government employs a weak mayor form of the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected at-large, while the 17 members of the Common Council are elected per ward.La Crosse is a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
stronghold in local, state and national politics. Both the City of La Crosse and La Crosse County have voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988. In the 2008 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Barack Obama won 69% of the City of La Crosse and 61% of La Crosse County.
In the United States Congress, Democrat Ron Kind
Ron Kind
Ronald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
has represented La Crosse as part of Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district
Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district
Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district is a U.S. congressional district covering much of southwestern and western Wisconsin; it is the second-largest congressional district by area in Wisconsin...
since 1997. The city is almost coterminous with the 95th Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
District and is represented by Democrat Jill Billings. Additionally, Democrat Steve Doyle
Steve Doyle (Wisconsin politician)
Steve Doyle is a lawyer and Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, first elected to represent the 94th district in 2011. He represents suburban La Crosse County including Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem and Shelby....
currently represents suburban La Crosse County in the 94th Assembly District. La Crosse is part of the State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
District 32 and is represented by Democrat Jennifer Shilling
Jennifer Shilling
Jennifer Shilling is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate first elected to represent the 32nd district in 2011 . She has also worked as a legislative aide and served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.-Background:Shilling was born Jennifer Ehlenfeldt on July 4, 1969 in Oshkosh...
.
In 2009, the La Crosse Common Council’s Committee along with La Crosse County supervisors overwhelmingly voted in support of the "City of La Crosse and La Crosse County Strategic Plan for Sustainability." The overview of the plan is to reduce consumption of fossil fuels, lessen impacts to the natural
environment, and ensure that the citizen’s needs are met fairly, efficiently, and cost effectively.
Economy
La Crosse is the original home and international headquarters of several corporations, including:- City Brewing CompanyCity Brewing CompanyCity Brewing Company is a large brewery located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. It also goes by the trade name of City Brewery.- History :In 1999 the old G...
, former Heileman Old Style breweryG. Heileman Brewing CompanyThe G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, was a brewery firm that operated in 1858-1996. It was acquired in the latter year by Stroh's, and its independent existence ended... - Kwik TripKwik TripKwik Trip/Kwik Star is a chain of convenience stores founded in 1965 with locations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota under the name Kwik Trip, and in northeast Iowa under the name Kwik Star . The company also operates stores under the name Hearty Platter and Tobacco Outlet Plus. Kwik Trip, Inc...
, gas and convenience stores - Logistics Health IncorporatedLogistics Health IncorporatedLogistics Health, Incorporated is an American corporation with corporate headquarters in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Logistics Health was founded to sell healthcare to government and commercial organizations. LHI has provided customized health care solutions supported by its national network of more...
, healthcare - TraneTraneTrane Inc. is a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand and is the successor company to the American Standard Companies. It is a global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and building management systems and controls under the Trane and American Standard brand names...
, air conditioning company, acquired by Ingersoll-Rand in 2008
La Crosse also has relocated businesses such as:
- Ace HardwareAce HardwareAce Hardware Corporation is a hardware cooperative based in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. ACE Hardware Corporation, with 4,444 stores, does over $3 billion in retail hardware sales annually down from its peak of $12.5 billion in 2007.-History:...
, which operates a regional distribution center - S&S CycleS&S CycleS&S Cycle is a motorcycle engine and parts manufacturer that was founded in 1958 by George J. Smith and Stanley Stankos in Blue Island, Illinois. The company started by selling high performance pushrods for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and today they still make parts for American V-Twin bikes...
, motorcycle engines, parts and supplies
Largest employers
La Crosse County’s 10 largest employers, as ranked by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and Office of Economic Advisors, based on March 2007 statistics:- Gundersen Lutheran Medical CenterGundersen Lutheran Medical CenterGundersen Lutheran Medical Center a comprehensive health care network including one of the nation's largest multi-specialty group medical practices, regional community clinics, hospital, home care, behavioral health services, vision centers, pharmacies, and air and ground ambulances.Gundersen...
: A health care system that includes Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse and other facilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. It has about 3,900 full-time employees and nearly 2,100 part-time employees in La Crosse County, for a total of about 6,000 employees. System-wide, Gundersen Lutheran has slightly more than 4,200 full-time employees and about 2,300 part-time employees, for a total of about 6,500 employees. - Franciscan Skemp Medical CenterFranciscan Skemp Medical CenterMayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare is one of the two hospitals in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Franciscan Healthcare is part of Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota.-External links:*...
: A health care system that includes Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse and other facilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. It has about 2,065 full-time employees and 797 part-time employees in La Crosse County, for a total of 2,862 employees. Systemwide, Franciscan Skemp has about 2,493 full-time and 985 part-time employees, for a total of 3,478 employees. - TraneTraneTrane Inc. is a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand and is the successor company to the American Standard Companies. It is a global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and building management systems and controls under the Trane and American Standard brand names...
: The company was founded in La Crosse. In La Crosse, it makes water chillers for commercial air conditioning products. As of June 23, its La Crosse facilities had about 2,130 full-time employees and 30 part-time employees, for a total of about 2,160 employees. - School District of La CrosseSchool District of La CrosseThe School District of La Crosse is a school district in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The district serves the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin as well as several surrounding suburbs. There are 19 schools in the district.-High schools:...
: The school district, which educates students through grade 12, has about 1,052 employees, including about 977 full-time and 75 part-time employees. An additional 150 to 200 non-staff members help in such areas as coaching and advising. - La Crosse County government: The county has about 935 full-time employees and about 511 part-time employees, for a total of 1,446 employees.
- University of Wisconsin–La Crosse: The university has about 785 full-time employees and 568 part-time employees, for a total of 1,353 employees.
- Kwik TripKwik TripKwik Trip/Kwik Star is a chain of convenience stores founded in 1965 with locations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota under the name Kwik Trip, and in northeast Iowa under the name Kwik Star . The company also operates stores under the name Hearty Platter and Tobacco Outlet Plus. Kwik Trip, Inc...
: A La Crosse-based convenience store/gasoline retailer. In La Crosse County, the company has about 1,183 full-time employees and 322 part-time employees, for a total of 1,505 employees. - CenturyLinkCenturyLinkCenturyLink, Inc. is a United States telecommunications firm, headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana. The company, founded as Central Telephone & Electronics Corporation in 1968, later changed its name to Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. in 1971, and then was called CenturyTel, Inc. from 1999 to 2010...
: The telephone company’s Midwest Region headquarters is in La Crosse. In the county, the company has about 762 full-time and 69 part-time employees, for a total of 831 employees. - Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
: The discount retailer in La Crosse County operates two Wal-Mart Supercenter stores and a Sam’s Club store. A corporate spokesman said Wal-Mart has about 780 employees in the county. - City of La Crosse: The city has about 540 full-time employees. The number of part-time employees ranges from about 220 in January to about 330 in June, so employee totals range from about 760 in January to about 870 in June.
Tourism
- Shopping
La Crosse and the surrounding communities form a regional commercial center and shopping hub. In the northeastern part of the city lies the region's largest shopping center, Valley View Mall
Valley View Mall (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Valley View Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Valley View Mall features 73 stores, restaurants, and a food court. Anchor stores include: Macy's, Sears, Herberger's, J.C. Penney, and Barnes & Noble....
. The surrounding area includes numerous big-box store
Big-box store
A big-box store is a physically large retail establishment, usually part of a chain. The term sometimes also refers, by extension, to the company that operates the store...
s, and many restaurants. Other shopping centers in the La Crosse region include Three Rivers Plaza, Marsh View Center, Shelby Mall, Jackson Plaza, Bridgeview Plaza, and the Village Shopping Center. Downtown La Crosse has continued to grow in recent years, providing shopping, farmers' markets, hotels, restaurants, specialty shops, and events at La Crosse Center alongside the Mississippi River.
- Convention Center
The La Crosse Center
La Crosse Center
The La Crosse Center is a multi-purpose arena in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, that was built in 1980. The arena can seat between 5,000 and 7,500 depending on the type of event it is being used for....
is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena built in 1980 in downtown La Crosse on the Mississippi River. It is also a convention center offering 21600 square feet (2,006.7 m²) of exhibit space, a 45 feet (14 m) ceiling height, a 60-by-40-foot stage, two locker rooms and three dressing rooms. There is also a 14935 square feet (1,388 m²) North Hall which can open up to be used in combination with the arena, and a 38740 square feet (3,599 m²) South Exhibit Hall. The three venues total 75275 square feet (6,993 m²) of exhibit space. The complex also contains 9432 square feet (876 m²) of meeting room space in five meeting rooms, which can be divided into nine meeting rooms.
While both exhibit halls and the arena are used for trade shows, conventions, meetings and banquets, the arena is also used for sporting events, concerts, circuses, ice shows, and other events.
Media
- Newspapers
La Crosse's largest newspaper is the daily La Crosse Tribune
La Crosse Tribune
The La Crosse Tribune is a newspaper published in La Crosse, Wisconsin, covering the tri-state area of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota in the USA.-History:...
. The Second Supper
The Second Supper
The Second Supper is a web site and newspaper published in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The newspaper is published weekly from its headquarters in Downtown La Crosse....
, a free weekly tabloid with material of interest to the under-30 demographic group, is also published in the area, as are two shoppers, the Foxxy Shopper and the Buyer's Express. The Racquet is the University of Wisconsin La Crosse's free weekly paper.
- Magazines
Coulee Parenting Connection, a regional parenting publication serving families in the La Crosse metropolitan area.
- Television
La Crosse is well served by television. Its major network television affiliates are: ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate WXOW; CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate WKBT
WKBT
WKBT-DT is a television station owned and operated by Morgan Murphy Media and serving West Central Wisconsin, including La Crosse and Eau Claire. The station is primarily affiliated with CBS and airs programming from MyNetworkTV on its digital subchannel.-History:WKBT launched on August 8, 1954...
; Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
affiliate WLAX
WLAX
WLAX is the Fox-affiliated television station for Western Wisconsin licensed to La Crosse. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 17 from a transmitter in La Crescent, Minnesota near the studios of ABC affiliate WXOW. The station can also be seen on Charter, Mediacom, and...
and PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
affiliate WHLA. Also two NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliates; WEAU, from Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
and KTTC
KTTC
KTTC is the NBC-affiliated television station for Southeastern Minnesota and Northeastern Iowa. Licensed to Rochester, Minnesota, it broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 10 from a transmitter in Ostrander, Minnesota near the Fillmore and Mower County line...
from Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
. An independent station, KQEG-CA
KQEG-CA
KQEG-CA, channel 23, is a Class A station licensed in La Crescent, Minnesota, with studios and offices in La Crosse, Wisconsin. WIBU-LP, channel 51, is a low power station located in Tomah, Wisconsin that simulcasts the programming of KQEG-CA...
, is also in La Crosse.
- AM Radio
- WKTYWKTYWKTY is a radio station broadcasting a sports radio format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is owned by Family Radio, Inc...
AM 580 - WIZM (AM)WIZM (AM)WIZM is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Family Radio, Inc. and features programing from CBS Radio, Premiere Radio Networks and Westwood One.- Programming...
1410 - WLFNWLFNWLFN is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Standards format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area...
AM 1490
- WKTY
- FM Radio
- WLSUWLSUWLSU is a radio station licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin. The station is part of Wisconsin Public Radio , and airs WPR's "NPR News and Classical Network", consisting of classical music and news and talk programming....
FM 88.9 - WHLAWHLA (FM)WHLA is a radio station licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin. The station is part of Wisconsin Public Radio , and airs WPR's "Ideas Network", consisting of news and talk programming.*See also Wisconsin Public Radio-External links:*...
FM 90.3 - KXLCKXLCKXLC is a radio station licensed to La Crescent, Minnesota, serving the La Crosse, Wisconsin area. The station is owned by Minnesota Public Radio , and airs MPR's "News and Information" network, originating from KNOW in Minneapolis/St. Paul....
FM 91.1 - WIZM-FMWIZM-FMWIZM-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Midwest Family Broadcasting -External links:*...
93.3 - KCLHKCLHKCLH is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits format. Licensed to Caledonia, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Family Radio, Inc.. The station is also broadcast on HD radio.-History:...
FM 94.7 - WRQTWRQTWRQT is a radio station broadcasting a Active Rock format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Midwest Family Broadcasting The station no longer broadcasts in HD Radio.-History:The station went on the air as WSPL-FM on...
FM 95.7 - WCOWWCOWWCOW-FM is a country music radio station licensed to Sparta, Wisconsin that serves "Midwisconsin" and the La Crosse and La Crescent communities on the nearby Mississippi River separating Minnesota and Wisconsin. WCOW-FM also simulcasted for many years on their sister station at 1290 AM when it too...
FM 97.1 - KQYBKQYBKQYB is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Spring Grove, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Family Radio, Inc..-Translators:...
FM 98.3 - WKBH-FMWKBH-FMWKBH-FM is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Licensed to West Salem, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area...
100.1 - KQEG-FM 102.7
- WLXRWLXRWLXR-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area...
FM 104.9 - WQCCWQCCWQCC is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Mississippi Valley Broadcasters, LLC....
FM 106.3
- WLSU
Education
Western Technical College
Western Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. The main campus is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.The school was previously known as Western Wisconsin Technical College , but the "Wisconsin" part of the name was officially dropped on March 29, 2006.-Other...
, as well as the Roman Catholic Viterbo University
Viterbo University
Viterbo University is a Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States in the Diocese of La Crosse.-History:...
. The Health Science Center is a combined effort of all the La Crosse medical centers, universities and government agencies to advance students in the medical fields.
For primary and secondary education, the La Crosse area is served by the School District of La Crosse
School District of La Crosse
The School District of La Crosse is a school district in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The district serves the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin as well as several surrounding suburbs. There are 19 schools in the district.-High schools:...
, with 21 elementary, middle, high, and charter schools. La Crosse Central High School
La Crosse Central High School
La Crosse Central High School is one of two public high schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is located on the south side of the city, and is in the School District of La Crosse. The school was established in 1907.-History:...
and Logan High School
Logan High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Logan High School is one of the two public high schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the School District of La Crosse. Despite a recent shift in high school attendance area boundaries, Logan High School has not met an enrollment target set for the School District of La Crosse high schools...
are the two public high schools serving the La Crosse area. With a total enrollment of 7,213 students in 2006, making it the 16th largest school district in the state. The La Crosse School District has 635 teachers of which 73% hold a master's degree or higher.
La Crosse is also served by a Waldorf School, Three Rivers School.
In addition, La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools, a Roman Catholic school district affiliated with the Diocese of La Crosse, is centered in the city and includes Aquinas High School
Aquinas High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Aquinas High School is a Roman Catholic high school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.-History:The high school was dedicated on September 2, 1928 in honor of Thomas Aquinas by Bishop Alexander Joseph McGavick of the Diocese of La Crosse. The first graduating class of 1929 consisted of four girls...
, and Aquinas Middle School
Aquinas Middle School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Aquinas Middle School is a Roman Catholic middle school in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. Aquinas Middle School is part of the La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools.- History :...
.
Another Roman Catholic school, the Providence Academy
Providence Academy (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Providence Academy is a private, independent Roman Catholic school in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has pre-kindergarten to 12th grade; the school was founded in 2005. The school is not affiliated with the Diocese of La Crosse or La Crosse Coulee Catholic Schools.-External links:***...
, is independent from Coulee Catholic Schools and has no affiliation with the Diocese of La Crosse.
Health Care
Two major regional health care facilities are located in La Crosse: Gundersen Lutheran Medical CenterGundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center a comprehensive health care network including one of the nation's largest multi-specialty group medical practices, regional community clinics, hospital, home care, behavioral health services, vision centers, pharmacies, and air and ground ambulances.Gundersen...
and Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare is one of the two hospitals in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Franciscan Healthcare is part of Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota.-External links:*...
.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center a comprehensive health care network including one of the nation's largest multi-specialty group medical practices, regional community clinics, hospital, home care, behavioral health services, vision centers, pharmacies, and air and ground ambulances.Gundersen...
is a regional health care facility located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that is also an ACS nationally certified Level II Trauma Center. It is the primary hospital associated with the Gundersen Clinic medical group and the location of the Western campus for the University of Wisconsin Medical School. The Gundersen Lutheran Health System, headquartered in La Crosse, manages 23 locations throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa with nearly 6,000 employees. Since 2005, the system has annually been ranked by Thomson Reuters Healthcare in the Top 100 National Hospitals, as well as received HealthGrades
HealthGrades
HealthGrades Inc. is a U.S. company that develops and markets quality and safety ratings of health care providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, physicians and dentists. Quality ratings are devised from publicly available patient safety data and analyzed with proprietary technology developed...
2011 5-star rating award.
Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare is one of the two hospitals in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Franciscan Healthcare is part of Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota.-External links:*...
is an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
. Franciscan Skemp, which was the first western Wisconsin hospital to open its doors in 1883 as St. Francis Hospital, was started by the Catholic Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women whose motherhouse, St. Rose of Viterbo Convent, is in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded Viterbo University and staffed Aquinas...
, who still are associated with the medical center. In 1995, Franciscan Skemp merged with Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
Health Systems in Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, located only 60 miles away. A new trauma and emergency department, helicopter pad, and surgery wing recently opened in 2007.
The Health Science Center, located on the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus, is a combined effort of both medical centers, UW–La Crosse, Viterbo University, Western College, the School District of La Crosse, and various government educational groups. The purpose was to prepare and train students for advancement in the medical field.
Tap Water
La Crosse's tap drinking water, which is raised from a deep underground Artesian aquiferArtesian aquifer
An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater under positive pressure. This causes the water level in a well to rise to a point where hydrostatic equilibrium has been reached. This type of well is called an artesian well...
, won the best natural tasting water award in September 2007 in a statewide tasting competition hosted by the Wisconsin Water Association. The city faced off against groundwater and surface water utilities from Algoma, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Pell Lake, Shawano, Shawano Lake, and Watertown at the annual meeting of the association. La Crosse’s drinking water is pumped from deep ground wells to a distribution center and is treated with chlorine and fluoride; some wells are treated with polyphosphate.
Transportation
La Crosse Municipal Airport
-Top Destinations:-Unusual History:The La Crosse Airport can accommodate the world's largest aircraft in service today. One of the world's largest passenger jumbo jets, the Boeing 747 Air Force One , has made overnight trips to this airport with every U.S...
provides direct scheduled passenger service to Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Detroit and Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
through Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
and its Northwest links, Mesaba, Compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
, and Pinnacle
Pinnacle Airlines
Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline, which is a subsidiary of Pinnacle Airlines Corp., and operates as Delta Connection for Delta Air Lines...
, as well as American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
link American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines is a brand name used by American Eagle Airlines, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Executive Airlines based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the operation of passenger air service as regional affiliates of American Airlines. All three airlines are wholly owned subsidiaries...
. Sun Country
Sun Country Airlines
MN Airlines, LLC, operating as Sun Country Airlines, is an American low-cost airline headquartered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Mendota Heights, Minnesota...
and Xtra Airways
Xtra Airways
Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:...
provide charter service to Laughlin
Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the...
and Elko, Nevada
Elko, Nevada
Elko is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 18,297 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Elko County. The city straddles the Humboldt River....
, and other destinations. The airport also serves general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
for the La Crosse region.
The city is served by several major highways and Interstate, including Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
, U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 53, U.S. Highway 61, Wisconsin State Highway 35, Wisconsin State Highway 16, Wisconsin State Highway 33.
The City of La Crosse's MTU bus service
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
with routes reaching out to the suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s served over one million users in 2007.
On the Mississippi River
Upper Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River is the portion of the Mississippi River upstream of Cairo, Illinois, United States. From the headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the river flows approximately 2000 kilometers to Cairo, where it is joined by the Ohio River to form the Lower Mississippi...
, cargo is transported to and from this area to St Paul and St Louis, using towboats, primarily moving dry bulk cargo barge
Dry bulk cargo barge
A dry bulk cargo barge is a barge designed to carry freight such as coal, finished steel or its ingredients, grain, sand or gravel, or similar materials. Barges are usually constructed of steel. They have an outer hull, an internal void that is fitted with heavy struts and cross braces or...
s for coal, grain, and other low-value bulk goods.
The Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Cass St. bridge and the newer Cameron Street bridge (photo with blue arch) both connect downtown La Crosse with La Crescent, Minnesota
La Crescent, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,923 people, 1,940 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,634.4 people per square mile . There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 668.6 per square mile...
. These two bridges cross the Mississippi River, as does the Interstate 90 bridge located just northwest of La Crosse, connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Railroad tracks owned by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
(BNSF) pass through La Crosse providing freight service. The former Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad/Milwaukee Road/Soo Line and now Canadian Pacific Railway runs through the city as well. It provides the track on which the La Crosse Amtrak station
La Crosse (Amtrak station)
La Crosse Train Station, located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The train station was originally built in 1926 by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad, but was also used by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad...
is located, and is a stop for the Empire Builder
Empire Builder
The Empire Builder is a passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Midwestern and Northwestern United States. It is Amtrak's busiest long-distance route and busiest daily train, carrying more than 500,000 travelers annually since 2007. Overall, it is the railroad's 10th-busiest line. Before...
providing cross-country passenger rail service.
Culture
La Crosse is the cultural center for South Western Wisconsin. For a community of its size, La Crosse boasts a diverse arts scene for both participants and audience members, with over 30 active arts organizations. The Pump House Regional Arts Center hosts visual arts exhibits throughout the year plus its own series of jazz, folk, and blues performers. The La Crosse Symphony is the city's regional orchestra and the La Crosse Community Theater has won both regional and national acclaim. Viterbo University Fine Arts building, UW–La Crosse Art Gallery and Theater, and the La Crosse Center schedule of top national performers in the arts rivals that of a much larger city.Bars and clubs
La Crosse has many bars and nightclubs in the downtown central business district, as well as many neighborhood bars and grills. Third Street, a main traffic and tourist route downtown, is well known for at one time supposedly having the most bars on a one mile stretch of road in the United States.Annual events
- La Crosse Oktoberfest
- La Crosse RiverFest
- Deke Slayton Airfest/Airshow
- Great River Jazzfest
- Irish Fest
- Wienerfest
- Downtown Mardi Gras
- Downtown Cameron Park Farmers Market
- Historic Downtown La Crosse Days
- Sand On The Riverfront
- Winter Rec Fest
- New Years Eve Celebration with The Skyrockers
- Hmong New Year Parade
- Holiday Lights Display
- La Crosse Pridefest
Catholic
La Crosse is the episcopal seeEpiscopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
for the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse
Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse
The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse covers an area of west-central Wisconsin, including the city of La Crosse and 19 counties: Adams, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marathon, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Richland, Trempealeau, Vernon, and...
. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman
Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman
The Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman is the mother church of the Diocese of La Crosse. The cathedral, designed by architect Edward J. Schulte, was completed in 1962.Built of limestone, it has a tall clock tower which rises above the surrounding buildings in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin.The...
is the mother church of the Diocese. St. Rose of Viterbo Convent
St. Rose of Viterbo Convent
St. Rose of Viterbo Convent is the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. The convent was dedicated to Rose of Viterbo. The Franciscan Sisters moved into the convent in 1871....
, the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women whose motherhouse, St. Rose of Viterbo Convent, is in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded Viterbo University and staffed Aquinas...
is in La Crosse. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic shrine located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Construction of the Shrine Church began on May 13, 2004, with a dedication on July 31, 2008. The grounds include a...
is in La Crosse.
Protestant
Multiple churches of various denominations including Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Vineyard, Presbyterian, independent and non-denominational.The La Crosse Area ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
Synod includes 43,600 members from 81 congregations in 10 counties in western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.
Orthodox
St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox ChurchSt. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church is a church of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, in the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest....
is the city's Eastern Orthodox Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
.
Episcopal
Christ Church of La CrosseChrist Church of La Crosse
Christ Episcopal Church is an historic Episcopal church located at 111 North 9th Street, corner of Main Street, in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire. In 1985, Christ Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Rev. Canon Patrick P...
is the city's Episcopal church.
Other
Congregation Sons of AbrahamThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) has an active congregation, La Crosse Ward, in neighboring community Onalaska
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area....
.
Sports
La Crosse has multiple semi-professional sports teams. The La Crosse LoggersLa Crosse Loggers
The La Crosse Loggers are a La Crosse, Wisconsin based baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. They play at Copeland Park....
of the Northwoods League
Northwoods League
The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate...
, play at their home field at Copeland Park
Copeland Park
Copeland Park, also referred to as "The Lumber Yard," is a stadium in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the La Crosse Loggers baseball team. The current stadium was built in 2003, although a substantially smaller baseball diamond existed at the site...
on the north side of La Crosse in the summer months. In the past, La Crosse has been home to the Catbirds
La Crosse Catbirds
The La Crosse Catbirds was an American basketball team based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and member of the Continental Basketball Association. The team has since disbanded.The Catbirds were the 1990 and 1992 CBA champions...
and the Bobcats
La Crosse Bobcats
The La Crosse Bobcats were a Continental Basketball Association basketball team located in La Crosse, Wisconsin from 1996 to the league's bankruptcy in February 2001. The Bobcats were the second CBA team located in La Crosse; previously, the La Crosse Catbirds played from 1985 to 1994...
of the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
, as well as the River Rats of the IFL, the Spartans
La Crosse Spartans
The La Crosse Spartans were a professional indoor football team. They were a member of the Indoor Football League. They played their home games at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin....
of the IFL
Indoor Football League
The Indoor Football League began in 1999 as an offshoot of the troubled Professional Indoor Football League. Keary Ecklund, the owner of the Green Bay Bombers and Madison Mad Dogs, left the PIFL after its first, financially-troubled, season to start his own league. Unlike the PIFL, the IFL was an...
and the Night Train
La Crosse Night Train
The La Crosse Night Train were a professional indoor football team. They were a member of the NIFL. In 2004, they were going to play in the APFL as the Wisconsin Locomotives, however they folded without playing a game. They played their home games at La Crosse Center...
of the NIFL
National Indoor Football League
National Indoor Football League was a professional indoor football league in the United States. For their first six years, the league had teams in markets not covered by either the Arena Football League or its developmental league, af2, however, that changed briefly with their expansion into AFL...
.
La Crosse is also home to the NCAA Division III University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UW–L) Eagles. The university's 10,000 seat Veterans Memorial Field
Veterans Memorial Stadium (La Crosse)
Veterans Memorial Stadium is a stadium in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is primarily used for American football and track and field, and is the home field of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse "Eagles". Veterans Memorial Stadium seats around 6,200 in the main grandstand and upon completion of the...
for football (turf field) and outdoor timed track opened in the 2009. The stadium will continue to host the WIAA
Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is the regulatory body for all high school sports in Wisconsin. Its history dates to 1895, making it the first high school athletic organization in the country...
Wisconsin high school outdoor track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
state championships in June.
In the winter season, the Coulee Region Chill
Coulee Region Chill
The Coulee Region Chill is a Junior A Tier II ice hockey team based out of Onalaska, Wisconsin . For the 2010-2011 season, the Chill debuted in the North American Hockey League's Central Division...
is a team in the North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
that began playing in September 2010 at the Omni Center in Onalaska. Additionally, Mt. La Crosse, the areas only ski hill which opened in 1959 provides eighteen slopes and trails in the winter months. The ski hill is home to Damnation!, Mid-America's steepest trail.
The La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway
La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway
The La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway is a semi-banked asphalt oval racetrack in West Salem, Wisconsin. The outer track is 5/8 mile and the inner track is a 1/4 mile. The track was built on at the fairgrounds for La Crosse County. It used to host an event on the American Speed Association before the...
, located in nearby West Salem
West Salem, Wisconsin
West Salem is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, along the La Crosse River. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,799 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, is the first and only paved NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
-sanctioned asphalt stock car racing track in Wisconsin.
Hunting and fishing are very popular all seasons of the year, and the Mississippi
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and other rivers, sloughs, creeks, lakes, the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge, and hilltops and valleys with public woodlands are available to sportsmen and families.
Awards and rankings
- 2002 - National Trust for Historic Preservation Great American Main Street Award
- 2003 - Milken Institute Best Performing Cities (20th Overall)
- 2005 - Inc.Inc. (magazine)Inc. magazine, founded in 1979 and based in New York City, is a monthly publication focused on growing companies. The magazine publishes an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the "Inc...
magazine's 4th Best Small City for Doing Business - 2005 - Inc.Inc. (magazine)Inc. magazine, founded in 1979 and based in New York City, is a monthly publication focused on growing companies. The magazine publishes an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the "Inc...
magazine's 15th Best City in America to Do Business - 2005 - ForbesForbesForbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
25th Best Place - 2006 - 7th Safest Metropolitan Area in the Nation - Morgan Quitno Press
- 2006 - Kiplinger's Personal FinanceKiplinger's Personal FinanceKiplinger's Personal Finance is a magazine that has been continuously published, on a monthly basis, from 1947 to the present day. It was the nation's first personal finance magazine, and claims to deliver "sound, unbiased advice in clear, concise language"...
ranked La Crosse 16th "Smartest Place to Live in U.S. - 2007 - Country Home magazine ranked La Crosse 12th Best Green City in America and second among small cities, behind Corvallis, Ore.Corvallis, OregonCorvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
- 2009 - U.S. News ranked La Crosse 6th best place to live in the country.
- 2009 - Farmers Insurance Group ranked La Crosse - Winona, MN area the 20th most secure place to live in the United States among small towns.
- 2010 - Most Secure Places to Live in the US (Small Towns) - Sperling's Best Places
Notable residents and natives
- David AckertDavid AckertDavid Ackert is an entrepreneur and business development expert. He is the founder of The Ackert Advisory which has provided business development coaching and training for service firms since the late 90s....
, actor, writer, producer - George AddesGeorge AddesGeorge F. Addes was a founder of the United Automobile Workers union and its secretary-treasurer from 1936 until 1947....
, founder of United Auto WorkersUnited Auto WorkersThe International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers , is a labor union which represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. Founded as part of the Congress of Industrial... - John AkeJohn AkeJohn Leckie Ake was an American Major League Baseball player who played mainly as a third baseman for the 1884 Baltimore Orioles of the American Association . Before and after his Major league career, he played for many professional minor league baseball teams from 1881 until his death in 1887...
, professional baseball player - Elmer E. BarlowElmer E. BarlowElmer Elbert Barlow was an American jurist from Wisconsin.Born in Arcadia, Wisconsin, Barlow received his bachelors and law degrees from University of Wisconsin–Madison. He practiced law in La Crosse, Wisconsin and then was appointed executive counsel to the Governor of Wisconsin...
, Wisconsin Supreme Court justice - Charles S. BentonCharles S. BentonCharles Swan Benton was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:...
, U.S. Representative from New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... - Raymond Bice, Sr.Raymond Bice, Sr.Raymond Curtis Bice, Sr. was a Wisconsin politician, historian, and businessman.Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Bice was a building contractor and lumber dealer. He was a veteran of World War I...
, Wisconsin State Legislature and businessman - Fred BiermannFred BiermannFrederick Elliott Biermann was a three-term Democratic U.S. Representative from Iowa's 4th congressional district...
, U.S. Representative from IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New... - Thea BowmanThea BowmanSister Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A., was a Roman Catholic Religious Sister, teacher, and scholar.-Life:Born as Bertha Bowman in Yazoo City, Mississippi, she converted to the Roman Catholic Church, during her childhood, and joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at La Crosse, Wisconsin,...
, Roman Catholic nun - Orville BucknerOrville BucknerOrville Buckner was a professional American Welterweight boxer from Miami Beach, Florida. Buckner was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin and fought in the Golden Gloves in La Crosse. He then joined the United States Army and gained more amateur boxing experience...
, professional boxer - Raymond BurkeRaymond Leo BurkeRaymond Leo Burke is an American Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. He is the current Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, having previously served as Archbishop of St...
, Former Archbishop of St. Louis and now the Cardinal Prefect of the Vatican's Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura - Timothy BurnsTimothy BurnsTimothy Burns was Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 1851 until his death while in office in 1853, serving as a Democrat. Timothy Burns was born in Dublin, Ireland. As a young man, he settled in Iowa County, Wisconsin....
, Lieutenant Governor of WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... - Chris BuryChris BuryChristopher Robert Bury is an American journalist, best known for being an Emmy Award-winning correspondent at ABC News Nightline, where he also served as substitute anchor....
, Nightline correspondent - Ole Amundsen BuslettOle Amundsen BuslettOle Amundsen Buslett was a Norwegian born, American author, newspaperman, and politician.-Background:Ole Amundsen Buslett was born in Gausdal, Oppland, Norway. Buslett was the oldest of eight children born to Amund Halvorsen Buslett and Netta Ringsrud...
, author - Angus CameronAngus CameronAngus Cameron was a Republican and a member of the United States Senate from Wisconsin from 1875 to 1881, when he did not seek reelection, and again from 1881 to 1885, when he was elected to succeed Matthew H. Carpenter, who died in office; he did not seek reelection in 1885...
, U.S. Senator - James Cameron, noted civil rights activist
- Erasmus D. CampbellErasmus D. CampbellErasmus Daniel Campbell , was a Wisconsin politician. In 1857, he became mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Town of Campbell in La Crosse County, Wisconsin was named after E.D. Campbell...
, Lieutenant Governor of WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... - Frank P. CoburnFrank P. CoburnFrank Potter Coburn was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born on a farm near West Salem, Wisconsin, Coburn attended the public schools.He engaged in agricultural pursuits near West Salem....
, U.S. Representative - George DahlgrenGeorge DahlgrenGeorge Dahlgren was a player in the National Football League for the Kenosha Maroons, Rock Island Independents, and the Hammond Pros from 1924 to 1926 as a guard and tackle...
, NFL player - Charles G. DawesCharles G. DawesCharles Gates Dawes was an American banker and politician who was the 30th Vice President of the United States . For his work on the Dawes Plan for World War I reparations he was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served in the First World War, was U.S...
, Vice President of the United States - Alexa DemaraAlexa DemaraAlexa Demara is an American actress, model, writer and martial artist. She is best known for her appearances on the nationally syndicated celebrity show Extra and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She also appeared in magazines such as FHM, MMA Sports and V...
, model, actress - Charles DierkopCharles DierkopCharles Dierkop is an American film and television character actor.Dierkop was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and attended Aquinas High School in La Crosse...
, actor - Chip DunhamChip DunhamRobert John "Chip" Dunham is a cartoonist best known as the creator of the comic strip Overboard, which debuted in 1990....
, cartoonist - Minnie DupreeMinnie DupreeMinnie Dupree was a stage and film actress.She made her acting debut in a touring company in 1887. The next year, she made a big impression in a small role in William Gillette's New York play Held by the Enemy...
, actress - John J. EschJohn J. EschJohn Jacob Esch was an American attorney and member of the United States House of Representatives from 1899-1921 serving as a Republican. He was born near Norwalk, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1882 and in 1887, was admitted to the bar. He was a member of the...
, U.S. Representative - Bob Fitzke, NFL player
- Paul FitzkePaul FitzkePaul Robert Fitzke was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians for one season. He played on one game during the 1924 Cleveland Indians season, pitching four innings on September 1, 1924....
, baseball player - George A. GarrettGeorge A. GarrettGeorge A. Garrett was a United States diplomat. He served as U.S. Minister to Ireland from 1947 to 1950, when the title changed to U.S. Ambassador, which he would serve as until 1951.-Biography:...
, U.S. diplomat - Ed GeinEd GeinEdward Theodore "Ed" Gein - July 26, 1984) was an American murderer and body snatcher. His crimes, committed around his hometown of Plainfield, Wisconsin, gathered widespread notoriety after authorities discovered Gein had exhumed corpses from local graveyards and fashioned trophies and keepsakes...
, American killer and necrophiliac, born in La Crosse - Tony GhelfiTony GhelfiTony Ghelfi is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Ghelfi was drafted as by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. He played at the Major League level with the team in 1983. Today Tony operates Fifth Avenue awards.-References:...
, MLB player - Gerald GreiderGerald GreiderGerald Arthur Greider was an American Republican politician from Wisconsin.Born in Greenville, Illinois, Greider was educated in the public schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Greider was a businessman and served on the La Crosse Common Council 1966-1968. Greider was vice president and secretary of a...
, Wisconsin legislator - Adolph GundersenAdolph GundersenAdolph Gundersen was a Norwegian born American medical doctor and founder of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.-Background:...
, physician - Tim GulliksonTim GulliksonTimothy Ernest "Tim" Gullikson was a tennis player and coach who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the United States.In 1977, he won three tour singles titles and was named the ATP's Newcomer of the Year...
, professional tennis player - Tom GulliksonTom GulliksonTom Gullikson is a tennis coach and former professional tennis player from the United States.-Career:...
, professional tennis player - Tom HannemanTom HannemanTom Hanneman is the current play-by-play television announcer for the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team of the National Basketball Association and has been with the franchise since its inception in 1989. Prior to that, Hanneman was a sports and general assignment reporter for CBS affiliate...
, sports broadcaster - Hal HansonHal HansonHarold William Hanson was a professional football player and head coach in the National Football League. In 1921 Hanson was a player for the Rock Island Independents. In 1923 he played for the Minneapolis Marines. By 1932 he served as the head coach of the Staten Island Stapletons...
, NFL player and head coach - Gottlieb HeilemanGottlieb HeilemanJohann Gottlieb Heileman was the founder of the G. Heileman Brewing Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin...
, founder of G. Heileman Brewing CompanyG. Heileman Brewing CompanyThe G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, was a brewery firm that operated in 1858-1996. It was acquired in the latter year by Stroh's, and its independent existence ended... - Gideon HixonGideon HixonGideon Cooley Hixon was a Wisconsin politician and businessman.Born in Roxbury, Vermont, he moved with his family to Massachusetts. In 1858 he went to La Crosse, Wisconsin and was in the lumber business. He served on the La Crosse Common Council...
, Wisconsin State Legislature and businessman - Chuck HockenberyChuck HockenberyCharles Marion Hockenbery is a former professional baseball player who played one season, , for the California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
, MLB player - Wayne J. HoodWayne J. HoodWayne J. Hood was born in Waupun, Wisconsin. He was a manufacturer in La Crosse, Wisconsin and was active in Republican politics for many years. He served as Wisconsin state chairman of the Republican Party from 1950-1953, and was executive director of the Republican National Committee during 1952...
, Executive Director of the Republican National CommitteeRepublican National CommitteeThe Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is... - Merlin HullMerlin HullMerlin Hull was a Wisconsin lawyer, a newspaper publisher, and a member of the United States House of Representatives....
, U.S. Representative - Hugo Jan HussHugo Jan HussHugo Jan Huss was an orchestra conductor and music director.He was born in Timişoara, Romania and died in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He studied at the Bucharest Conservatory of Music where he was the favorite student of Constantin Silvestri...
, orchestra conductor - Don IversonDon IversonDonald Iverson is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s.Iverson was born, raised and has lived most of his life in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He attended La Crosse Central High School, where he was a star quarterback on the football team and member of the golf team. He...
, professional golfer - Matt JoyceMatt Joyce (American football)Matt Joyce is a former American football guard and tackle who played ten seasons in the National Football League from 1994–2004.-External links:*...
, NFL player - John Azor KelloggJohn Azor KelloggJohn Azor Kellogg was an American military leader and politician from Wisconsin.Born in Bethany, Pennsylvania, Kellogg settled in Sauk County, Wisconsin, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. During the American Civil War, Kellogg served in the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment...
, U.S. military leader and Wisconsin politician - Mark KelloggMark Kellogg (reporter)Mark Kellogg was a newspaper reporter killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Kellogg rode with George Armstrong Custer during the battle and was evidently one of the first men killed by the Sioux and Cheyenne. His dispatches were the only press coverage of Custer and his men in the days...
, reporter - Ron KindRon KindRonald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
, United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Tom KlawitterTom KlawitterThomas Carl Klawitter is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played part of in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins. He appeared in seven games, including two starts, without a decision....
, MLB player - Milo KnutsonMilo KnutsonMilo Garlock Knutson was a Wisconsin politician and radio broadcaster.Born in Clear Lake, Iowa, Knutson moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he became the news director for WKTY. From 1955 until 1965, Knutson was the Mayor of La Crosse. Knutson served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1969 until...
, mayor of La Crosse and Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin State SenateThe Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly... - Ed KonetchyEd KonetchyEdward Joseph Konetchy , nicknamed "Big Ed" and "The Candy Kid", was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball for a number of teams, primarily in the National League, from to . He played for the St...
, MLB player - Arthur KreutzArthur KreutzArthur Kreutz was an American composer. He was famous for the Paul Bunyan Suite and the Dixie Concerto. He also composed the score to Martha Graham's 1942 ballet Land Be Bright.-Notes:...
, composer - Robert E. KreutzRobert E. KreutzRobert Edward Kreutz was an American composer of Roman Catholic liturgical worship music. He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1940. Robert Kreutz studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois and at the University of California-Los Angeles...
, composer - Ty LoomisTy LoomisTy Loomis is a male beach volleyball player from the United States, who won the silver medal in the men's beach team competition at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, partnering Hans Stolfus. The pair became the first U.S...
, volleyball player - Joseph LoseyJoseph LoseyJoseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
, film & theater director (1909–1984) A main north-south street on La Crosse's east side (Losey Boulevard) is named in his honor. - Patrick Joseph LuceyPatrick Joseph LuceyPatrick Joseph Lucey is a member of the United States Democratic Party who served as the 38th Governor of the US state of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1977. In 1977, he was appointed ambassador to Mexico by President Jimmy Carter, a post he held until 1979...
, Governor of WisconsinGovernor of WisconsinThe Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state...
, U.S. diplomat - Paul LundstenPaul Lundsten-Biography:Lundsten was born on August 11, 1955 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School. Lundsten is married with three children.-Career:...
, Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals - James T. McCleary, U.S. Representative from MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
- John MedingerJohn MedingerJohn Donald Medinger is a La Crosse, Wisconsin area politician and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He served as the 39th mayor of La Crosse from 1997-2005.-Political life:...
, former Mayor of La Crosse and former member of the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State AssemblyThe Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.... - John MengeltJohn MengeltJohn P. Mengelt is a former professional basketball player. A 6’2” guard, Mengelt played for Auburn University, with whom he scored 60 points in a 1970 game against Alabama. Mengelt later spent ten seasons in the NBA, playing for the Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City Kings, Detroit Pistons, Chicago...
, NBA player - Curt Michel, NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronaut, professor - Damian MillerDamian MillerDamian Donald Miller is a former Major League Baseball catcher who last played for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school years:...
, MLB player for the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Arizona DiamondbacksArizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, and the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - Robert MoevsRobert MoevsRobert Walter Moevs was an American composer of contemporary classical music. He was known for his highly chromatic music....
, composer (1920–2007) - Thomas MorrisThomas Morris (Wisconsin politician)Thomas Morris was Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin from 1911 until 1915. He was born in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, St. Arnold Parish, Quebec. Morris settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where, he was a barber. Thomas Morris went to law school in Madison, Wisconsin, and returned to La...
, Lieutenant Governor of WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... - Leland E. MulderLeland E. Mulder-Biography:Mulder was born on June 9, 1925 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He died on January 1, 1993.-Career:...
, member of the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State AssemblyThe Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.... - Eddie MurphyEddie Murphy (speed skater)Edward "Eddie" S. Murphy was an American speed skater who competed in the 1928 Winter Olympics and in the 1932 Winter Olympics....
, OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
medalist - Tom NewberryTom NewberryThomas J. "Tom" Newberry is a former American football guard who played ten seasons in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams for 9 years and the Pittsburgh Steelers for 1 year. He was a starter for the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. He was a 2 time Pro Bowl and NFL All-Pro offensive...
, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL all-pro guard - Mike O'CallaghanMike O'Callaghan-External links:* * * *...
, Governor of NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its... - Paul OffnerPaul OffnerPaul Offner was an educator, public health expert, and legislator.Born in Bennington, Vermont. Offner graduated from Amherst College in 1964. He received his masters and doctorate degrees from Princeton University. In 1974, Offner was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly from La Crosse, Wisconsin...
, Wisconsin State Legislature and educator - John OestreicherJohn Oestreicher (Wisconsin politician)John Oestreicher was an American Democratic politician and lawyer from Wisconsin.Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, he graduated from Aquinas High School and studied political science at University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Oestreicher served in the United States Marine Corps and got his law degree...
, legislator - Jim OmerbergJim Omerberg-Biography:Omberberg was born on July 28, 1894 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. During World War I, he served with the United States Army. He was Presbyterian.-Political career:...
, member of the West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of DelegatesThe West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:... - Charles M. PalmerCharles M. PalmerCharles M. Palmer was a Midwest newspaper broker who assembled much of the William Randolph Hearst media empire and an organizer of the Associated Press.Palmer was born in a log cabin in La Crosse, Wisconsin...
, organizer of the Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists... - John Joseph PaulJohn Joseph PaulJohn Joseph Paul was a Roman Catholic bishop.Bishop Paul was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1935. In 1939, he graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. John Joseph Paul was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on January 24, 1943, by Auxiliary...
. Roman Catholic bishop - George Wilbur PeckGeorge Wilbur PeckGeorge Wilbur Peck was an American writer and politician who served as the 17th Governor of Wisconsin.Peck was born in 1840 in Henderson, New York, the oldest of three children of David B. and Alzina P. Peck. In 1843, the family moved to Cold Spring, Wisconsin...
, Governor of WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... - James D. H. PetersonJames D. H. PetersonJames D. H. Peterson was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.-Biography:Peterson was born on August 7, 1894 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Washington and Lee University. During World War I, he served with the...
, member of the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State AssemblyThe Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.... - Augustus Herman PettiboneAugustus Herman PettiboneAugustus Herman Pettibone was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 1st congressional district of Tennessee.-Biography:...
, U.S. Representative from TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area... - George PoageGeorge PoageGeorge Coleman Poage was the first African American athlete to win a medal in the Olympic Games, winning two bronze medals at the 1904 games in St...
, OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
medalist, first African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to win an Olympic medal. - Brandon RatcliffBrandon RatcliffBrandon Ratcliff was born April 14, 1998 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He relocated with his mother, Tonni Ratcliff from Highland Park, Illinois an affluent North Shore suburb of Chicago in 2003 to Los Angeles at the age of four to pursue an acting career and he currently resides in Studio City,...
, actor - Nicholas RayNicholas RayNicholas Ray was an American film director best known for the movie Rebel Without a Cause....
, film & theater director (1911–1979, a.k.a. Raymond Nicholas Kienzle) - Edwin W. RiceEdwin W. RiceEdwin Wilbur Rice, Jr. was a president and considered one of the three fathers of General Electric ....
, President of General ElectricGeneral ElectricGeneral Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States... - Walter RistowWalter RistowWalter William Ristow was the head librarian of the map library at the New York Public Library and later the Library of Congress....
, head librarian of the Library of CongressLibrary of CongressThe Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and... - Scott ServaisScott ServaisScott Daniel Servais is the current director of player development for the Texas Rangers, and a former Major League Baseball player...
, MLB player - Philip Saunders, NBA coach
- John ShumanJohn ShumanJohn Shuman was an officer in the United States Army during World War I. He would be awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.His award citation reads:Shuman's official residence was listed as La Crosse, Wisconsin.-References:...
, Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
recipient - Frank SkaffFrank SkaffFrancis Michael Skaff was an infielder, coach, manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. Skaff's half-season as acting manager of the Detroit Tigers is one of the most unusual, and tragic, happenstances in baseball annals.Skaff began 1966 as a Detroit coach...
, MLB player and manager - Thomas Benton StoddardThomas Benton StoddardThomas Benton Stoddard was a New York lawyer, Wisconsin legislator, and the first mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin....
, first mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Wisconsin State Assembly - Ford SterlingFord SterlingFord Sterling was an American comedian and actor best known for his work with Keystone Studios. One of the 'Big 4' he was the original chief of the Keystone Cops.-Biography:...
, actor - William H. StevensonWilliam H. StevensonWilliam Henry Stevenson was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin for the years 1941-1949, he served as a Republican....
, U.S. Representative - Woodrow SwancuttWoodrow SwancuttWoodrow Paul Swancutt was a Major General in the United States Air Force.-Biography:Swancutt was born on July 4, 1915 in Edgar, Wisconsin...
, U.S. Air Force Major General - Jim TempJim TempJames Arthur "Jim" Temp is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played for the Green Bay Packers . He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-References:...
, NFL player - Clark W. ThompsonClark W. ThompsonClark Wallace Thompson was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on August 6, 1896 and moved to Oregon in 1901 with his parents, who settled in Cascade Locks. Thompson attended the common schools and the University of Oregon at Eugene. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the First World...
, U.S. Representative from TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... - John TolandJohn Toland (author)John Willard Toland was an American author and historian. He is best known for his bestselling biography of Adolf Hitler and for his Pulitzer Prize-winning World War II history of Japan, The Rising Sun.Toland was a graduate of Williams College, and he also attended the Yale School of Drama for a...
, author, recipient of the Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City... - Clarence TommersonClarence TommersonClarence Leonard Tommerson was an American football halfback in the National Football League. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates . Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, he played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.-References:...
, NFL player - James TraneJames TraneJames Alex Trane was the co-founder of Trane.James Alex Trane was born in Tromsø, Norway. He was an immigrant to the United States who settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1864, finding work as a steamfitter and plumber. In 1885, he opened his own plumbing shop.Besides being a steamfitter and a...
, co-founder of TraneTraneTrane Inc. is a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand and is the successor company to the American Standard Companies. It is a global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and building management systems and controls under the Trane and American Standard brand names... - Reuben TraneReuben TraneReuben Nicholas Trane founded Trane, the heating and air conditioning company, with his father James Trane....
, co-founder of TraneTraneTrane Inc. is a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand and is the successor company to the American Standard Companies. It is a global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and building management systems and controls under the Trane and American Standard brand names... - Danielle TrussoniDanielle TrussoniDanielle Anne Trussoni is an American writer. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including The New York Times Magazine, Telegraph Magazine, and The New York Times Book Review...
, author - Dave UmhoeferDave UmhoeferDave Umhoefer is a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In 2008, he won a Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for a six-month investigation of Milwaukee County's pension system...
, journalist, Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
recipient - Gysbert Van Steenwyk, Sr.Gysbert Van Steenwyk, Sr.Gysbert Van Steenwyk was a Wisconsin politician and businessman.Born as the son of Arnoud van Steenwijk and Neeltje van Vliet in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Van Steenwyk emigrated to the United States in 1849 and eventually settled in Wisconsin. Van Steenwyk served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in...
, Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin legislator, and businessman - D. Russell WartinbeeD. Russell WartinbeeDavid Russell Wartinbee was an American, Republican politician and educator from Wisconsin.Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Wartinbee received his degree in music from University of Wisconsin–Madison and his masters from University of Minnesota. He also went to what is now University of...
, legislator and educator - Cadwallader C. WashburnCadwallader C. WashburnCadwallader Colden Washburn was an American businessman, politician, and soldier noted for founding what would later become General Mills and working in government for Wisconsin. He was born in Livermore, Maine, one of seven brothers that included Israel Washburn, Jr., Elihu B. Washburne, William D...
, Civil War General, Wisconsin Governor, U.S. House - Jarrod WashburnJarrod WashburnJarrod Michael Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently resides in his hometown of Webster, Wisconsin.-High school / college:...
, Major League Baseball Player, Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles... - John WilceJohn WilceJohn Woodworth "Jack" Wilce was an American football player and coach, physician, and university professor. He served as the head football coach at Ohio State University from 1913 to 1928, compiling a record of 78–33–9...
, member of the College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move... - George WilliamsGeorge Williams (catcher)George Erik Williams , is a retired professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres.-External links:...
, MLB player - Gardner R. WithrowGardner R. WithrowGardner Robert Withrow was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1931–1939 and again from 1949–1961, when he did not seek reelection. Withrow was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and worked for the railroad and was involved in the labor union. He was a member of the Wisconsin...
, U.S. Representative - Gilbert Motier Woodward, U.S. Representative
Sister cities
La Crosse has sister cityTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
relationships with six foreign cities: Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
, Ireland Dubna
Dubna
Dubna is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia. It has a status of naukograd , being home to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, an international nuclear physics research centre and one of the largest scientific foundations in the country. It is also home to MKB Raduga, a defence aerospace company...
, Russia Epinal
Épinal
Épinal is a commune in northeastern France and the capital of the Vosges department. Inhabitants are known as Spinaliens.-Geography:The commune has a land area of 59.24 km²...
, France Friedberg, Bavaria
Friedberg, Bavaria
Friedberg is a city in the district Aichach-Friedberg, Bavaria, Germany, with some 30,000 inhabitants. It is located next to Augsburg at the Lech river...
Germany Førde
Førde
Førde is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sunnfjord. The administrative center is the town of Førde which in 2010 had 12,035 inhabitants. The historic village of Bruland is located just east of the town of Førde...
Norway Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, China
See also
- City Brewing CompanyCity Brewing CompanyCity Brewing Company is a large brewery located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. It also goes by the trade name of City Brewery.- History :In 1999 the old G...
- G. Heileman Brewing CompanyG. Heileman Brewing CompanyThe G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, was a brewery firm that operated in 1858-1996. It was acquired in the latter year by Stroh's, and its independent existence ended...
- La Crosse County
- La Crosse Boiling Water ReactorLa Crosse Boiling Water ReactorLa Crosse Boiling Water Reactor is a decommissioned Boiling Water Reactor nuclear power plant located near La Crosse, Wisconsin in the small village of Genoa, Wisconsin, in Vernon County, Wisconsin, approximately 17 miles south of La Crosse along the Mississippi River...
(Decommissioned) - La Crosse area radio stations
- La Crosse area television stations
- Old Style Beer
External links
- City of La Crosse
- La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- La Crosse Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown La Crosse
- La Crosse Wisconsin
- La Crosse History Unbound
- La Crosse Public Library System
- University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
- La Crosse School District
- La Crosse Symphony Orchestra
- La Crosse Wisconsin Businesses