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EspañolLA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
'La Crosse' is the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The city, which lies alongside the Mississippi River, is known primarily as a college town and commercial center for the surrounding area.
The population of La Crosse was 51,818 at the 2000 census, which makes it the 12th largest city in Wisconsin by population (8th largest excluding cities which are part of the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee and Chicago). Together with surrounding communities, the La Crosse metropolitan area was, according to the 2000 census, home to 96,592 people. The city forms the core of, and is the principal city within the United States Census Bureau's La Crosse Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of La Crosse County in Wisconsin and Houston County, Minnesota (composite 2000 population: 126,838).
History
La Crosse was incorporated as a city in 1856, but its history goes back somewhat farther. The first Europeans to see the site of La Crosse were French fur traders who traveled up and down the Mississippi River beginning in the late 17th Century. Despite this, there is no written record 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.[1]
The first white settlement at La Crosse came in 1841. That year, a New York native named Nathan Myrick had moved to the village at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to work in the fur trade. However, once in Wisconsin, Myrick found that many fur traders were already well-entrenched in Prairie du Chien, and that there were no openings for him to become involved there. As a result, Myrick decided to establish a trading post upriver at the then still unsettled site of Prairie La Crosse. In 1841 Myrick built a temporary trading post on Barron Island, which lies just west of La Crosse's present downtown. In 1842 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 very few points along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River where a broad plain ideal for development exist between the river's bank and the tall bluffs that line the river valley. As such, a small village grew around Myrick's trading post through the 1840s. A small Mormon community settled at La Crosse in 1844, and built 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.
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 thanks to 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 Milwaukee & La Crosse 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 sawmills 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. Three colleges and universities were established in the city between 1890 and 1912.
La Crosse remains the largest city on Wisconsin's western border today, and the educational institutions in the city have recently led it toward becoming a regional technology and medical hub.
Geography
Grandad's Bluff in La Crosse
La Crosse is located in western 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. Prior to 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 57.4 km² (22.2 mi²). 52.2 km² (20.1 mi²) of it is land and 5.2 km² (2.0 mi²) of it (9.12%) is water.
Surrounding the relatively flat prairie where La Crosse lies are towering bluffs, one of the most prominent of which is Grandad's Bluff (mentioned in Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain). 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 coulees. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".
Several cities are located in the immediate La Crosse Metropolitan Area, including Onalaska, Wisconsin, Holmen, Wisconsin, West Salem, Wisconsin, and La Crescent, Minnesota across the Mississippi River.
Climate
La Crosse's location in the United States' upper midwest gives the area a temperate, continental climate.[2] 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).[3]
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high °F (°C) | 26 (-3) | 33 (1) | 45 (7) | 60 (16) | 72 (22) | 81 (27) | 85 (29) | 83 (28) | 74 (23) | 61 (16) | 44 (7) | 30 (-1) |
| Avg low temperature °F (°C) | 6 (-14) | 13 (-11) | 24 (-4) | 37 (3) | 49 (9) | 58 (14) | 63 (17) | 61 (16) | 52 (12) | 40 (4) | 27 (-3) | 14 (-10) |
Transportation
View of the Cass St. Bridge, which cross the Mississippi River, from the Port of La Crosse
The La Crosse Municipal Airport provides scheduled passenger service to Minneapolis through Northwest Airlink and Mesaba Airlines, and to Chicago via American Eagle Airlines. Sun Country Airlines also serves regular charter service to Laughlin, Nevada. The airport also serves general aviation for the La Crosse metro area.
On the Mississippi River, cargo is transported to and from the area using towboats, primarily moving dry bulk cargo barges for coal, grain, and other low-value bulk goods.
The Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Cass St. bridge, also connects downtown La Crosse with La Crescent, Minnesota. These two bridges cross the Mississippi River.
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, and 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.
The city is served by several major highways, including Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 53, U.S. Highway 61,and Wisconsin State Highway 16.
Also, La Crosse boasts an efficient MTU bus service which has routes reaching out to the suburbs and mall areas.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,818 people, 21,110 households, and 10,217 families residing in the city. The population density was 993.4/km² (2,573.4/mi²). There were 22,233 housing units at an average density of 426.2/km² (1,104.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.58% White, 1.56% African American, 0.51% Native American, 4.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 21,110 households out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.6% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 24.4% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% 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 85.6 males.
View of the Mississippi River from Riverside Park
The median income for a household in the city was $31,103, and the median income for a family was $43,047. Males had a median income of $30,996 versus $22,076 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,650. About 7.8% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Neighborhoods and Districts
La Crosse is made up of 17 districts also with different neighborhoods.
★ North Side
★ South Side
★ French Island
★ Washburn Neighborhood
★ Historic Cass & King
★ Historic Downtown
★ Shelby
★ Medary
Zip Codes: 54601, 54602, 54603.
Economy
La Crosse is the original home and international headquarters of several businesses, including the Trane air conditioning company (acquired by American Standard in the 1980s), the City Brewing Company, Pearl Street Brewery, Kwik Trip, CenturyTel, S&S Cycles, Gundersen Luthern Medical Center, Franciscan-Skemp Medical Center, Badger Corrugating Company, The Company Store, FirstLogic (now Business Objects), La Crosse Technologies, and Logistics Health Incorporated. The La Crosse Footwear Company also originated in the city, but has since relocated its headquarters to Portland, Oregon.
Media
La Crosse's leading newspaper is the ''La Crosse Tribune''.
La Crosse is well served by television and radio. La Crosse's major network television affiliates are ABC affiliate WXOW and CBS affiliate WKBT and Fox affiliate WLAX.
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. Surrounding the mall lies including numerous big-box stores, and many eateries. Other shopping centers in the La Crosse region include Three Rivers Plaza, Marsh View Center, Shelby Mall, Center 90, Bridgeview Center, and the Village Shopping Center. Downtown La Crosse has contiuned to grow in recent years providing shopping, many hotels, restaurants, specialty shops, and the Mississippi River.[4]
Convention Center
The La Crosse Center is an 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena built in 1980 in downtown La Crosse.
The Center is also a convention center offering 21,600 square feet of exhibit space, a 45 foot ceiling height, a 60-by-40-foot stage, two locker rooms and three dressing rooms. There is also a 14,935 square foot North Hall which can open up to the arena to be used in combination, and a 38,740 square foot South Exhibit Hall. All three venues total 75,275 square feet of exhibit space. The complex also contains 9,432 square feet of meeting room space in five meeting rooms, which can be divided into nine meeting rooms.[5]
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.
Also, located in Onalaska, Wisconsin, a suburb to the north, is the Onalaska Omni Center, which holds similar activities as the La Crosse Center but on a much smaller scale.
Education
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.
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 masters degree or higher. The 2006 operating budget for the school district was $87,126,387 this was comprised of 40.6% local funding, 53.4% state funding, and 5.9% federal funding.
Also, La Crosse is served by a Waldorf School, Three Rivers School [1].
In addition, La Crosse Coulee 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.
Health and Medicine
Two major health care facilities are located in La Crosse, these being Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, which is an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic.
Religion
★ La Crosse is the episcopal see 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 is 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.
★ Christ Church of La Crosse is the city's Episcopal church.
★ St.Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church is the city's Eastern Orthodox Church.
Culture
★ La Crosse Public Library
★ Winding Rivers Library System
★ La Crosse County Historical Society
★ La Crosse Symphony Orchestra
★ Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps
Native city of American film director Joseph Losey.
Sports
La Crosse has supported several sports teams, including the Catbirds of the CBA, the Bobcats of the CBA, the La Crosse RiverRats of the IFL, the Night Train of the NIFL, and currently the Loggers of the Northwoods League, whose home field is at Copeland Park. La Crosse is also home to the two-time NCAA Division III national football championship winning University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles, where former NFL players Tom Newberry, Bill Schroeder, Joel Williams, and Mike Maslowski played during college. Mount La Crosse ski area is also located in La Crosse with 19 runs, 3 chair lifts, and beginner area. The New Orleans Saints football team also has held their summer practices at UWL's football stadium.
Annual Events
Water fountain in downtown La Crosse
★ Oktoberfest USA
★ RiverFest
★ Deke Slayton Airfest
★ Great River Jazzfest
★ Irish Fest
★ Downtown Mardi Gras
★ Downtown Farmers Market
★ Historic Downtown La Crosse Days
★ Sand On The Riverfront
★ Winter Rec Fest
★ New Years Eve Skyrockers
★ Hmong New Year Parade
Sister Cities
La Crosse has sister city relationships with six foreign cities:
★ Bantry, Ireland
★ Dubna, Russia
★ Epinal, France
★ Friedberg, Bavaria Germany
★ Førde Norway
★ Luoyang, China
See also
★ La Crosse County
★ City Brewing Company
★ Old Style Beer
★ G. Heileman Brewing Company
★ La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor (Decommissioned)
★ La Crosse area radio stations
★ La Crosse area television stations
References
1. ''La Crosse [origin of name]''. Retrieved October 31, 2006, from the Wisconsin Historical Society website: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=5514
2. Wisconsin State Climatology Office
3. Monthly Averages for La Crosse, WI
4. Valley View Mall Website
5. The La Crosse Center
External links
General
★ City of La Crosse website
★ Gateway Area Council
★ Historic Downtown La Crosse, Downtown Mainstreet Inc.
★ Information about La Crosse and La Crosse Businesses
★ La Crosse Public Library
★ La Crosse School District
★ Mt. La Crosse Ski Resort
Maps
Tourism
★
★ La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
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