Overview of North La Crosse
North La Crosse has a history that is in some significant ways different from that of downtown La Crosse. For both areas, geography has played a large role in the historical development of the commercial and residential districts. North La Crosse is separated from the southern part of the city by the La Crosse River and extensive wetlands area known as the La Crosse River Marsh. During the Lumber Era, logs coming downstream on the Black River were directed to the large sawmills along the east bank of the Black River in North La Crosse. From its earliest days, the base industry in North La Crosse was lumber milling. Also, steamboats had a difficult time advancing upriver on the Black River, so North La Crosse did not develop as a shipping/commercial center. The immigrant group most associated with work in the pineries and lumber mills were the Norwegians, who became the dominant ethnic group in North La Crosse and established early on a lumber camp, working class flavor to the community.
Taking the tour is easy! Use the map to the right to select a point of interest. When you hold your mouse over one of the building icons on the map more information will appear in a bubble. To view the detailed information on that location, just click on the "Details" link. From there you can use the "Next" or "Previous" buttons to visit more locations or you may select a new location from the map. You may also use the button below to start a already selected tour.
This project was made possible by support from:
For more information contact the La Crosse Public Library Archives Department at 608-789-7136