La Crosse history

Foundation and Origin of the Name

The history of the modern city of La Crosse began in 1841, when fur trader Nathan Myrick established the first trading post on Barron Island, soon moving it to the mainland. The settlement officially received city status in 1856.

The city owes its name to French explorers who visited these lands in the late 18th and early 19th centuries (including Zebulon Pike's expedition in 1805). They observed the indigenous people playing a ball game using curved sticks that resembled a bishop's crosier — la crosse in French.

Key Factors of Development

• Geography of Three Rivers: The city is located at the strategically important confluence of the Mississippi, Black, and La Crosse Rivers. This provided ideal conditions for the development of river navigation and cargo transportation.
• Timber Resources: The Black River served as a natural artery for floating timber from the rich pine forests of northern Wisconsin. La Crosse became a key timber processing point, where logs were turned into lumber.
• Transport Hub: Thanks to its location, the city earned the nickname "Gateway City," becoming an important transshipment point between waterways and the expanding railways.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Chronology of La Crosse Development

• 1858: An important milestone in the city's transport history — the completion of the railway connecting La Crosse to Milwaukee. In the same year, the City Brewery was founded, which later became the famous G. Heileman Brewing Company, laying the foundation for the region's rich brewing traditions.
• 1891: The first wagon bridge across the Mississippi River was opened. This event ensured a permanent and reliable connection with the neighbouring state of Minnesota, strengthening the city's status as a regional trading hub.
• 1899: The symbolic end of the "logging era." The closure of the last major sawmills was caused by the depletion of white pine reserves in the upper reaches of the rivers. The city's economy began to restructure, shifting focus from wood processing to manufacturing, education, and the service sector.
• 1909: The State Normal School opened its doors. Over time, this institution evolved into the modern University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, becoming the intellectual centre of the city.
• 1961: The Oktoberfest festival was held in La Crosse for the first time. The holiday, conceived to preserve German heritage, eventually turned into one of the largest community celebrations in the Midwest.
• 1962: The new Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman was consecrated. The majestic modernist building became an important architectural landmark in the city centre.
• 2013: The Weber Center for the Performing Arts opened on the riverfront, becoming a symbol of cultural renewal and modern life in downtown La Crosse.

Stages of Development and Key Transformations

The history of La Crosse is an example of a city successfully adapting to changing economic eras. From sawmills to high technology and medicine, each stage has left its mark on the city's appearance and culture.

• The Golden Age of Logging (Late 19th Century).

  Thanks to its strategic position at the mouth of the Black River, La Crosse became one of the largest wood processing centres in the USA. Sawmills along the river drove the initial economic boom, attracted thousands of immigrants, and formed the early urban infrastructure.

• Transport Revolution and "Gateway City" Status.

  The construction of railways and the first bridges across the Mississippi turned the city into a multimodal transport hub. This allowed La Crosse to become a key point for cargo transshipment between waterways and railway lines, connecting the east and west of the country.

• Industrial Diversification (Early 20th Century).

  With the depletion of forest resources, the city avoided decline by reorienting towards manufacturing. The founding of giants such as The Trane Company (air conditioning systems) laid the foundation for long-term industrial stability and created a reputation as a centre for engineering innovation.

• Flourishing of Brewing Traditions.

  The development of brewing, led by the G. Heileman Brewing Company, not only supported the economy but also formed a unique cultural code for the city. La Crosse secured its status as one of the centres of brewing culture in the Midwest, which later resulted in the creation of the famous Oktoberfest festival.

• Formation of a Medical Cluster.

  In the second half of the 20th century, the city became a regional healthcare centre. The development of two major systems — Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System — radically changed the employment structure, making medicine one of the main drivers of the modern economy.

• Establishment as a University Centre.

  The evolution of the teaching school into the full-fledged University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, as well as the development of Viterbo University, turned the city into an educational hub. The influx of students stimulated the development of the service sector, culture, and sports.

• Waterfront Revitalization (21st Century).

  The modern stage of development is characterized by a rethinking of the river's role. Industrial zones have given way to parks (Riverside Park), walking areas, and cultural facilities such as the La Crosse Center, which has enhanced the city's appeal to tourists.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of La Crosse is a visual chronicle of the city's transformation from a logging outpost into a modern regional centre. The historic city centre is considered one of the most extensive and well-preserved commercial districts in Wisconsin, demonstrating the wealth accumulated during the "lumber boom" era of the late 19th century.

Historical Eras and Styles

The urban development of La Crosse can be roughly divided into several key stages, each corresponding to its own architectural language:

• Victorian Era (1870–1900s): The heyday of the timber industry. The city centre is dominated by buildings made of red brick and local limestone.
  • Styles: Italianate (decorative cornices, arched windows) and Richardsonian Romanesque (massive stonework, a sense of monumentality).
  • Example: The historic downtown commercial district, where over 100 buildings from that era have been preserved.
• "Gilded Age" Residential Development: Wealthy lumber barons built luxurious mansions, striving to demonstrate their status.
  • Styles: Queen Anne (asymmetry, turrets), Victorian Gothic.
  • Example: Hixon House — a magnificent example of the Italianate style, preserving original interiors from the 1850s–1880s.
• Civic Construction and Education (Early 20th Century): As the city grew, public buildings appeared, leaning towards classical forms.
  • Styles: Neoclassical, Beaux-Arts, elements of the Prairie School.
  • Example: Buildings on the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus, particularly the historic Graff Main Hall.
• Modernism and Modernity (from the 1950s): The post-war period brought a simplification of forms and the use of new materials (concrete, glass).
  • Styles: Modernism, Contemporary.
  • Example: Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman. Built in 1962, it is a striking example of modern church architecture using limestone and a tall freestanding bell tower.

Urban Planning Features

The layout of La Crosse is dictated by its geography. The city is wedged between the Mississippi River and high bluffs, which formed a linear development structure along the river. The city centre is oriented towards the waterfront, highlighting the historical connection to water transport, while residential areas extend eastward to the foot of the hills.

Notable People of La Crosse

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of people whose achievements in business, art, sports, and politics went far beyond the region. Here are key figures who left a significant mark on the heritage of La Crosse.

• Nathan Myrick (1822–1903)
  City founder, trader.
  It was Myrick who built the first trading post at the confluence of the rivers in 1841, around which the city subsequently grew. His enterprise laid the foundation for the development of La Crosse as a trading centre.
• Gottlieb Heileman (1824–1878)
  Industrialist and brewer.
  Founder of the legendary G. Heileman Brewing Company. His enterprise not only made the city famous with the Old Style beer brand but also became one of the city-forming companies for many years, shaping the region's unique brewing identity.
• Reuben Trane (1886–1954)
  Engineer and entrepreneur.
  Founder of the Trane company, a global giant in the production of heating and air conditioning systems. Thanks to his innovations, La Crosse became known as a centre for engineering solutions in the field of climate control.
• George Poage (1880–1962)
  Athlete and educator.
  Raised and educated in La Crosse, Poage entered world history as the first African American athlete to win an Olympic medal. At the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, he won two bronze medals in hurdles.
• Nicholas Ray (1911–1979)
  Film director and screenwriter.
  A native of La Crosse who became a Hollywood legend. His most famous film, "Rebel Without a Cause" starring James Dean, became a symbol of 1950s youth culture and a classic of world cinema.
• Joseph Losey (1909–1984)
  Theatre and film director.
  Another prominent filmmaker originally from La Crosse. Known for his work in the noir genre and psychological dramas (such as "The Servant"), filmed both in the USA and in Europe.
• Cadwallader Washburn (1818–1882)
  Politician, general, and businessman.
  The 11th Governor of Wisconsin and a Union Army general during the Civil War. He lived in La Crosse and actively developed the logging and flour milling industries; his business became the predecessor of the General Mills corporation.