National Register Listings in
La Crosse County, Wisconsin

10th and Cass Streets Neighborhood Historic District 23rd and 24th Streets Historic District Anderson, Mons, House Barron, E.R., Building Bridge No. 1 Bridge No. 2 Bridge No. 3 Bridge No. 4 Bridge No. 5 Bridge No. 6 Callahan, John L., House Cass and King Street Residential Historic District Chambers-Markle Farmstead Chase, Dr. H. H., and Henry G. Wohlhuter Bungalows Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Passenger Depot Christ Church of LaCrosse District School No. 1 Edgewood Place Historic District Freight House Funke, Joseph B., Company Garland, Hamlin, House Gund Brewing Company Bottling Works Gundersen, Dr. Adolf and Helga, Cottage Hixon, Gideon C., House Holy Trinity School La Crosse Armory La Crosse County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy La Crosse Plow Company Building LaCrosse Commercial Historic District LaCrosse State Teachers College Training School Building Laverty-Martindale House Loeffler, Otto and Ida, House Losey Memorial Arch Main Hall/La Crosse State Normal School Maria Angelorum Chapel Mindoro Cut Mundstock, Carl August, Farm Nichols, Frank Eugene, House Oehler Mill Complex Ott, Will, House Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel Palmer Brother's Octagons Physical Education Building/La Crosse State Normal School Powell Place Roosevelt School Roosevelt, W. A., Company Smith Valley School U.S. Fish Control Laboratory Vincent, James, House WAR EAGLE Shipwreck (sidewheel steamboat) Waterworks Building Wisconsin Telephone Company Building Zeisler, George, Building
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Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic and Historical Guide

If you're going to be in Wisconsin, you're going to be immersed in football or ice hockey. The rest of it is conspiracy to keep warm.
Simon Kinberg in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
La Crosse County, located in the state of Wisconsin, has a rich and diverse history. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) and Dakota Sioux. French explorers arrived in the 17th century, but it was not until the 19th century that European settlement began in earnest.

In the early 1800s, fur trading posts were established along the Mississippi River, attracting trappers and traders to the region. The region's location on the river made it a vital transportation hub, and it quickly grew as a result. La Crosse, the county seat, was founded in 1851, named after a game played by the Native Americans in the area.

The mid-19th century saw significant growth in La Crosse County, driven by the logging industry and river trade. The county became a major lumber production center, with sawmills dotting the riverbanks. The arrival of the railroads in the late 1800s further spurred economic development in the area, facilitating the export of goods and the influx of new residents.

La Crosse County is also known for its education and healthcare institutions. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was established in 1909 and has become a prominent educational institution in the region. The area is also home to Gundersen Health System, a leading healthcare provider.

Today, La Crosse County is a vibrant community known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and cultural events. It has a diverse economy, with industries ranging from healthcare and education to manufacturing and tourism. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, historic sites, and events that showcase its heritage.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

  • 1836 - La Crosse County is officially established.
  • 1851 - The first permanent European settler, Nathan Myrick, builds a trading post near the Black River.
  • 1853 - La Crosse becomes the county seat.
  • 1856 - The Milwaukee Road railway reaches La Crosse, boosting the area's economy.
  • 1863 - The La Crosse River Railroad is established, connecting La Crosse to Sparta.
  • 1884 - The La Crosse Public Library opens its doors.
  • 1906 - The La Crosse County Historical Society is founded.
  • 1949 - The La Crosse Municipal Airport opens.
  • 1967 - The city of La Crosse experiences a major flood, causing significant damage.
  • 1978 - The La Crosse Center, a multi-purpose arena, is constructed.
  • 1997 - The Great River State Trail is opened for recreational use.
  • 2001 - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse celebrates its centennial.