A small group of boys congregate outside the Plaid Pantry at 618 Jackson St. in this 1990 street view.
This neighborhood grocery was in business at this location from 1977 to 1997 and was succeeded by the Wilson Food Store from 1997 to 1999. The building has been vacant since 1999 and fallen into despair, and the city is in the process of purchasing the property. The future of the building is unclear, but most likely it will be razed by the city.
Anyone with more information about this photo or wishing to donate photos of the Coulee Region may contact the La Crosse Public Library Archives at 608-789-7136.
Old La Crosse Post Office
A photo taken by the late Gordon Feinberg (1915-1990) of La Crosse looks east from the 300 block of State Street in 1946, showing the old La Crosse Post Office on the northeast corner of Fourth and State streets. Completed in 1890, with a large addition erected in 1933, this one-time local landmark with its iconic tower was razed in July 1977.
Old La Crosse County Courthouse
A closeup view of the imposing old La Crosse County Courthouse, which was located on what is now Belle Square. This onetime landmark, with its signature bell tower and clock dome, was completed in 1904 and razed in 1965.
Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium
The Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium, pictured here in a La Crosse Tribune photo, was a bequest to the people of La Crosse by the widow of prosperous lumberman William E. Sawyer in 1941. Before that, the Stoddard Hotel was as a close a venue as La Crosse had to host conferences and large events. After much debate about the location and cost of such an endeavor, the community building was dedicated Sept. 29, 1955, as part of a three-day celebration. At the time of the official dedication, however, the auditorium had already taken in income of $9,000. "Holiday on Ice" was a popular show for many years and several big name celebrities, including Elvis Presley, performed at the "Mary E." Politicians including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan visited. The building stood on Vine Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Street, and was little used after the completion of the La Crosse Center in October 1980. The auditorium was razed in 1988 to make way for the La Crosse County Health and Human Services Building, which included the juvenile detention center.
Germania Hall
An early 1900s view of Germania Hall, which stood at the northwest corner of Market Street and Fifth Avenue South. Erected in 1892, this social center for La Crosse’s German population included parlors, a kitchen, dining rooms, reading rooms, a bar room, a bowling alley, a gymnasium, a ballroom and a large theater with a stage. In Sept. 1918, the name of Germania Hall was changed to Pioneer Hall because of strong anti-German sentiment during World War I. As the ranks of German social groups dwindled during the 1930s, this building was sold in August 1937 to a CIO union group, and it became a local labor center known as Pioneer Labor Hall. Portions of the hall fell into disrepair during the late 1950s, and early 1960s, leading to the razing of the onetime landmark in February 1966. The former site of the hall is now occupied by Fire Station No. 1.
La Crosse Public Library Archives and La Crosse County Historical SocietyAllis Chalmers
In February 1969, Allis Chalmers announced it would shutter its plant in La Crosse. There were 375 employees working at the tractor manufacturer at the time of the closure. The buildings, located in the 500 block of North Third Street, were razed in late 1970 and early 1971. Today this site, just north of the La Crosse Tribune building, is occupied by a parking lot.
Tribune file photoKrause’s Kabin Kourt
This undated postcard view from the 1940s shows Krause’s Kabin Kourt (left) and a combination grocery store and gas station located on the northeast corner of Losey Boulevard and State Road. At one time the Kabin Kourt, owned and operated by Charles and Emma Krause from circa 1938 to 1961, consisted of 18 cabins, including “seven deluxe cabins having hot and cold running water, showers, toilets and outlets for shavers.” A Kmart store was built on the site in 1965. The discount store closed its doors in September 2017.
La Crosse Public Library ArchivesWilson's Boarding House
A circa 1910 view of Wilson’s Boarding House, which was located at the northwest corner of Sixth and Cass streets. In business there from 1889 to 1918 and first operated by Mrs. Richard (Ellen) Wilson, the Wilson House was a popular lodging place for traveling vaudeville actors and actresses performing in La Crosse. This old landmark was razed in 1934 and its former site is now occupied by a two-story brick building that contains offices for The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection plus apartments on the second floor.
La Crosse Soda Water Factory and Berlin Weiss Beer Brewery
This circa 1894 scene of a small-scale bottling operation at the La Crosse Soda Water Factory and Berlin Weiss Beer Brewery includes two young children who appear to be helping with the process. The 1890s business was located at 517 S. Third St. and was owned by George Warninger and August Houthmaker. In addition to soda water and Weiss beer, the firm produced ginger ale, mineral water and cider, according to old city directory files. This bottling plant is long gone and its former site is now occupied by Pischke Motors Nissan.
F. W. Woolworth Co. 5 and 10-Cent Store
Marked by streetcar tracks and overhead streetcar wires, this circa 1916 photo shows the F.W. Woolworth Co. 5 and 10-Cent Store at 328-330 Main St. This store, part of a once-popular national retail chain, occupied this location from 1916 to 1936, according to Tribune files. This four-story brick building, then known as the Linker Building, was destroyed by fire in 1961, and today the site is occupied by Howes Diamond Jewelers at 324 Main St.
The No. 2 Fire Station
This photo from July 10, 1896, shows La Crosse firemen posing with a horse-drawn fire rig outside the old No. 2 Fire Station, which was located at 510 St. Cloud St. This station was erected in 1884 and served until January 1957, when a new No. 2 Station was completed on Monitor Street. After its fire service days ended, this building was used by the city for storage, including housing the Myrick Zoo monkeys during winter months. This old fire station was razed 50 years ago during the summer of 1966, and its former site is now occupied by Fibre-Fab in a one-story concrete block building.
The Penguin Drive-In
A circa 1966 view of the Penguin Drive-In, 3317 Mormon Coulee Road, at that time next to a Texaco gas station. The Penguin, which was first operated by Orville Maxwell, was a popular spot for ice cream treats and was in business from 1966 to 1973, according to city directory files. The old Penguin building is long gone and its former site is now occupied by Engelson & Associates, LTD., an accounting and tax consultant firm.
William Welch grocery store
A 1912 view of the William Welch grocery store, which was located at 1101 Liberty St., then known as Berlin Street. Posing in front of the store are, from left, James Welch, William Welch, Orabell Sullivan and Laura Welch, according to information supplied with the photo. At that time most grocery stores in La Crosse were small neighborhood affairs, such as the Welch store, with 77 groceries listed in the 1913 La Crosse City Directory. William Welch, who died in 1925 at 47, operated this store from 1912 to 1921, according to Tribune files. This frame store building was razed in circa 1967, and its former site is now occupied by a parking lot.
Town House Motel
This postcard view, from a card mailed 55 years ago, in October 1959, shows the old Town House Motel, which was located at 122 N. Seventh St., next to Burns Park. The Town House operated from 1959 to 1973 and was last managed by Esther Capellen, according to La Crosse City Directory files. This building was last occupied by Family Resources, now known as The Parenting Place, before being razed in 2005 to make way for an addition to the nearby Park Bank at 700 State St., according to Tribune files.
La Crosse Public Library Archives.Second Ward School
This circa 1881 photo, taken from a stereoview by the 19th century photographic firm of Edward Elmer and Charles Tenney of Winona, Minn., shows the old Second Ward School which was located on the southwest corner of Fourth and King streets. This primary school, which also housed La Crosse’s first high school classes, was completed in 1870 and operated until 1907 before being razed in 1913, according to Tribune files. The former site of this school is now occupied by a vehicle parking area for Pischke Motors of La Crosse.
La Crosse Public Library Archives and La Crosse County Historical SocietyEvans Cartage warehouse
This Tribune photo shows La Crosse firemen hosing down the smoldering remains of the Evans Cartage warehouse, which was destroyed by fire on July 25, 1944. The warehouse was located at 1906 West Ave. S. and was packed to capacity with household goods and furniture — all of which were consumed by the fire. Smoke from the fire could be seen from all parts of the city and attracted thousands of spectators to the scene, according to Tribune files. The former site of the warehouse is now occupied by a parking lot for the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of La Crosse.
La Crosse Public Library Archives and La Crosse Fire DepartmentNorby grocery store and gas station
This photo, believed to have been taken in March 1932, shows Albert Norby, center, and his son Theodore Norby, at right, standing in front of their grocery store-gas station, which was located at 1802-1804 Jackson St. The Norbys operated an early version of today’s Kwik Trip stores, as they sold groceries, meat, ice cream, candy, newspapers and gasoline from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, according to Tribune files. Albert Norby died in 1944, after which Theodore Norby operated the Norby Confectionery store at 1802 Jackson St. until 1962. This building was razed in 1962, and the former site of the Norby store is now occupied by a parking lot for the Jackson Plaza Shopping Center.
Johnnies Bar & Grill
La Crosse firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed Johnnie’s Bar & Restaurant 20 years ago during the early morning hours of Feb. 26, 1994. Johnnie’s, which dated to 1947 and was located at 2620 South Ave., was a popular restaurant, widely known for its Friday night fish fry. The former site of Johnnie’s is now occupied by a parking area for Autotude at 2612 South Ave.
Pomeroy Opera House
THE WAY IT WAS: La Crosse’s Pomeroy Opera House, which was located on the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets, from a stereo view taken in the early 1870s by La Crosse photographer Charles Bayley. This multi-use building was completed in early 1869 for Marcus “Brick” Pomeroy, the nationally known and controversial publisher and editor of the La Crosse Democrat newspaper during the 1860s. The formal opening of this opera house, located on the top floor of the building, was held 145 years ago, on Feb. 13, 1869, with an exhibition of what were then the first bicycles to appear in La Crosse. Later known as the McMillan Opera House, this building was destroyed by fire on Dec. 3, 1897, according to old La Crosse newspaper files. The former site of this opera house is now occupied by a parking area, Howes Diamond Jewelers and the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant. Anyone with more information about this photo or wishing to donate other photos of the Coulee Region may contact the La Crosse Public Library Archives at 608-789-7136.
Blue Tiger Lounge
A fire, later determined to be arson, damaged the Blue Tiger Lounge in October 1984. Much of the building, located at 105 S. Third St., was rebuilt in 2000 and is the home to That Foreign Place.
Tribune file photoNorth Star Drive-In
A patron watches a film at the North Star Drive-In in this 1983 photo. The site, which had room for 525 cars, was built in Onalaska in 1953. The outdoor theater closed in the late 1980s. Today those 14 acres, located across Hwy. 16 from Valley View Mall, are home to many retailers located along Theater Road.
Tribune file photoSouth Avenue Cafeteria
Dorothy Sheehan serves a customer during the last week of business at South Avenue Cafeteria in 1983. The building was demolished shortly after the restaurant closed. Gundersen Health System's Founders Building occupies the spot today.
Tribune file photoStoddard Hotel
Erected in 1904 on the southeast corner of Fourth and State streets, the Stoddard Hotel was named in honor of Thomas B. Stoddard, the city's first mayor. For many years the Stoddard was La Crosse's main hotel. It was razed in 1982 after experiencing financial problems in the late 1970s. Notable people who stayed at the Stoddard Hotel included John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Elvis Presley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lawrence Welk, Ann Landers, Joe Louis, Gloria Swanson and Tallulah Bankhead. Today the former site of the hotel is occupied by a parking lot.
Tribune file photoParty House
Millie and Don Roesler stand in front of the Party House restaurant in 1981 shortly before it closed. The supper club, which was located in the town of Shelby near the junction of Hwy. 14/61 and Hwy. 35, was the casualty of a road expansion project.
Tribune file photoValentino's
Workers demolish a 100-year-old building on the corner of Third and Main streets in 1981. The building was home to the nightclub Valentino's, but the city decided the crumbling structure was unsafe and ordered it torn down. Today, the corner lot provides parking for Verve credit union's offices next door.
Tribune file photoChop House
Henry and Leone Wright stand in front of their restaurant, The Chop House, days before it closed in April 1980. The eatery, located at 122 N. Third St., was best known for its breakfasts. That original plan was to tear down the building to make way for an expansion of First Bank-La Crosse, but the lender instead built a 10-story office tower at Second and Main streets. The former Chop House building is home to Digger's Sting today.
Tribune file photoZorba's
A fire destroyed Zorba's Greek restaurant in 1979. In 1981, owner Demetrios "Jimmy" Mitropoulos was sentenced to eight years in prison on an arson charge. Emman "Mike" Minos testified that Mitropoulos paid him $2,000 to set fire to the restaurant at 304 Main St. The lot, that today is adjacent to Grounded Specialty Coffee, remains vacant.
Tribune file photoNutbush City Limits
Jon Schuster stands in front of his new restaurant, Nutbush City Limits, along Hwy. 16 northeast of La Crosse in this 1979 photo. The location was previously home to Lucky's Tavern. The expansion of Hwy. 16 to four lanes forced Nutbush to relocate to its current home at 3264 George St. in 1985.
Tribune file photoYum Yum Tree
The Yum Yum Tree, located at 4816 Mormon Coulee Road, was a nightclub on the city's far South Side that featured women — often topless — as dancers. This photo, taken in 1977, announces an upcoming show by Strawberry, Rachel, Fox, Zanadu and Amy. Also, according to the Tribune's files, Miss Baby Dumpling, billed as "425 pounds of fun," performed there in 1975. The business closed its doors in 1982.
Tribune file photoMenards
In 1977, Menards opened its store on Lang Drive in La Crosse. The home improvement store was at the south end of a new shopping center, Menard Plaza, that also featured a Quillin's supermarket. The Menards closed in January 2005, and the entire shopping center was demolished to make way for a larger Menards store, which would occupy the entire site when it opened in March 2006. The Eau Claire-based retailer also operates a store along Hwy. 53 in Onalaska that opened in 1996.
Tribune file photoBen Franklin
A natural gas explosion destroyed the Ben Franklin store at 1201 Caledonia St. in December 1976. The store's owners, Ralph and Thelma Osborne, later reopened the store at the same location. Today, this site is the site of Essential Health Clinic.
Tribune file photoMr. D's Donuts
Darrell and Rosie Kluever, owners of Mr. D's Donuts, show off their new location shortly after the restaurant moved to 1146 State St. in 1976. The Kluevers' first Mr. D's restaurant, opened in 1969, was located next door. Art Lotz took over as owner in 1979, and the restaurant closed in 2006 to make room for a widening of West Avenue.
Tribune file photoMcDonald's
When the Linker Building was razed in 1962 as a result of a fire, a large hole remained on the site at the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets. It was an eyesore, and began to be referred to by residents as the hole, according to research by the archives department of the La Crosse Public Library. The land stood vacant until 1966, when efforts by local businesses, organizations and individuals built a sunken garden. An agreement was made with Ben Marcus, the landowner, whereby the chamber would coordinate development of the park, but Marcus would retain full rights and if he decided to build or sell the property, the city would remove the park. Part of the agreement was that filling the hole was not permitted, so the sunken garden was planned. Debris was cleared by Boy Scouts and other volunteers, and a fountain was installed. A name-the-hole contest was held, and the winner was Phil Dyer with his entry Man-Lay Garden. The name was symbolic of the cooperation of management and labor in this project. A commemorative plaque, which included before and after pictures of the site, was placed in the garden in July 1967 in honor of the firms and individuals that donated materials and labor. In 1974, Marcus sold the land for $75,000, and one year later it was announced that a McDonalds restaurant would be built. It was built so the garden could be partially retained. A 32-foot bridge was built from the sidewalk on Fourth Street over the garden to the walkway. The fast-food restaurant closed its location in 1995. In 1998, the property was remodeled for a Brueggers Bagels, and the Man-Lay garden east of the building was filled in to create six parking spaces by fall 1999. The bagel shop closed in 2004. Today the site is home to Howe's Jewelers.
Tribune file photoEmbers Restaurant
Embers Restaurant, a Minnesota-based chain, opened at 2620 Rose St. in December, 1973. The eatery closed in April 2004 to make room for a Walgreens, which opened at the site in November 2004.
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club is shown here in 1973 shortly after it moved into its new location at 1932 Ward Ave. Today, that location is occupied by the Moose Lodge.
Tribune file photoKing Cinema
People fill the lobby for the opening of King Cinema in 1972. The movie theater, located at 222 S. Seventh St., showed "The Biscuit Eater" on both of its screens on its first night. The facility, which later added a third screen, showed its final film, "Wimbledon," before closing in 2004. Today, the site is home to a two-story building that houses Social Security offices.
Tribune file photoSandy's Drive-In
The Sandy's Drive-In, at the southeast corner of Rose and Clinton streets, is shown here shortly after an addition was completed in 1972. The fast food franchise was at the location from 1962 until about 1975. Today, the site is home to River Bank.
Tribune file photoBartl Brewery
Bartl Brewery, located near the corner of La Crosse Street and Lang Drive, was torn down in October 1971 to make room for a gas station. The brewery was founded in 1904 by Austrian native Frank Bartl and his sons, Joseph and Frank.
Tribune file photoIvy Inn
The Ivy Inn, which was located at 232 N. Sixth St., is shown here in 1971. After the motel closed, the building served as a residence hall for Western Technical College for 12 years before being demolished in 2013 to make way for the school's Horticulture Education Center.
Tribune file photoMontgomery Wards
This photo shows the young juniors department days before the new Montgomery Wards department store opened in downtown La Crosse. The retailer occupied the entire block bound by Third and Fourth streets and Vine and State streets, which had been the site of the La Crosse County Courthouse. Wards closed in 1986, and the building was demolished. The site was a county-owned parking lot until 2014, when La Crosse developer Don Weber purchased the property to build a $68 million complex of offices, stores and apartments.
Tribune file photoDog House Restaurant
The Dog House Restaurant opened in September 1965. On hand for the opening were, from left, local franchise owner William Jefferson company President Ross Marino. The eatery, located at the corner of Losey Boulevard and State Road, was open 24 hours a day. Hobbit Travel now occupies the corner.
Tribune file photoSwiss Chateau
The Swiss Chateau, a cheese, wine and specialty food shop, opened at corner of Third and Ferry streets in 1964. It later added a restaurant called Cheddar and Ale. Today, that site is a sales lot for Toyota of La Crosse.
Tribune file photoHenry's Drive-In
Henry's Drive-In — which featured a menu of hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes — opened in 1962 at the corner of Seventh and King streets. The building was torn down in 1981 to make way for Godfather's Pizza. That site is home to Pizza Doctors today.
Tribune file photoHoliday Inn
A Holiday Inn opened in 1962 along Park Plaza Drive, just west of the Cass Street bridge on Barron Island. The complex was renamed Yacht Club Resorts in 1997, and it was divided into three separate lodging operations — a Ramada hotel, Howard Johnson Express Inn and Villager Lodge. All three were closed by 1999, and the buildings were eventually torn down. After many failed attempts to develop the site, construction has begun on Pettibone Pointe, a condominium development by Gerrard-Hoeschler.
Tribune file photo