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La Crosse, Wisconsin: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W / 43.81333°N 91.23306°W / 43.81333; -91.23306
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Redirect|La Crosse|other uses|La Crosse (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect-distinguish-for|La Crosse|Lacrosse|other uses}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name = La Crosse
| name = La Crosse, Wisconsin
| official_name = City of La Crosse
| settlement_type = [[List of municipalities in Wisconsin|City]]
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = La Crosse, Wisconsin 4th.jpg
| image_skyline = La_Crosse,_Wisconsin_(2022).jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Downtown La Crosse
| image_caption = [[La Crosse Commercial Historic District|Downtown La Crosse]]
| image_seal = Lacrosse_WI_seal.png
| image_seal = Lacrosse_WI_seal.png
| image_map = File:La Crosse County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas La Crosse Highlighted.svg
| image_map = File:La Crosse County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas La Crosse Highlighted.svg
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|pushpin_map = USA Wisconsin#USA
|pushpin_map = USA Wisconsin#USA
|pushpin_relief = yes
|pushpin_relief = yes
|pushpin_map_caption = Location of city in Wisconsin
|pushpin_label = La Crosse
|pushpin_label = La Crosse
| coordinates = {{coord|43|48|48|N|91|13|59|W|region:US-WI|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|43|48|48|N|91|13|59|W|region:US-WI|display=inline, title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_name = United States
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| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Mitch Reynolds ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_name = Mitch Reynolds ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| area_footnotes =<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2020-08-07}}</ref>
| area_footnotes =<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 61.61
| area_total_km2 = 61.61
| area_total_sq_mi = 23.79
| area_total_sq_mi = 23.79
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| blank2_info = [[Mississippi River]], [[Black River (Wisconsin)|Black River]], [[La Crosse River]]
| blank2_info = [[Mississippi River]], [[Black River (Wisconsin)|Black River]], [[La Crosse River]]
| blank3_name = [[Public Transit]]
| blank3_name = [[Public Transit]]
| blank3_info = [[La Crosse MTU]]<br>[[Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit|SMRT]]
| blank3_info = [[La Crosse MTU]]<br>[[Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit|SMRT]]<br>[[Amtrak]]
| unit_pref = Imperial
| unit_pref = Imperial
}}
}}


'''La Crosse''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|k|r|ɒ|s}} {{respell|lə|KROSS}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://misspronouncer.com/cities/|title=Cities -|accessdate=September 9, 2023}}</ref> is a city in the U.S. state of [[Wisconsin]] and the [[county seat]] of [[La Crosse County, Wisconsin|La Crosse County]]. Positioned alongside the [[Mississippi River]], La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border.<ref name="forbes">{{cite magazine|date=October 24, 2017|title=The Best Small Places For Business And Careers: La Crosse, WI|url=https://www.forbes.com/places/wi/la-crosse/|magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref> La Crosse's population as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] was 52,680.<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5540775|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The city forms the core of and is the principal city in the [[La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area|La Crosse–Onalaska Metropolitan Area]], which includes all of La Crosse County and [[Houston County, Minnesota]], with a population of 139,627.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317045641/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/index.html|archive-date=March 17, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2014|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
'''La Crosse''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|k|r|ɒ|s}} {{IPA audio link|LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-La Crosse.wav}} {{respell|lə|KROSS}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://misspronouncer.com/cities/|title=Cities -|accessdate=September 9, 2023}}</ref> is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[La Crosse County, Wisconsin]], United States. Positioned alongside the [[Mississippi River]], La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border.<ref name="forbes">{{cite magazine|date=October 24, 2017|title=The Best Small Places For Business And Careers: La Crosse, WI|url=https://www.forbes.com/places/wi/la-crosse/|magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref> La Crosse's population was 52,680 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5540775|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref> The city forms the core of the [[La Crosse–Onalaska|La Crosse–Onalaska metropolitan area]], which includes all of La Crosse County and [[Houston County, Minnesota]], with a population of 139,627.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317045641/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2012/index.html|archive-date=March 17, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2014|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>


La Crosse's economy serves as a regional educational, medical, manufacturing, and transportation hub for Western Wisconsin producing a [[List of cities by GDP|gross domestic product (GDP)]] of $9.7 billion as of 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Total Gross Domestic Product for La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN (MSA) |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP29100 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |access-date=February 25, 2024 |date=January 1, 2001}}</ref>
A regional technology, medical, education, manufacturing, and transportation hub, companies based in the La Crosse area include [[Organic Valley]], [[Logistics Health Incorporated]], [[Kwik Trip]], [[La Crosse Technology]], [[City Brewing Company]], and [[Trane]].
The city is a [[college town]] with nearly 20,000 students and is home to the [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse]], [[Viterbo University]], and [[Western Technical College]]. Furthermore, the La Crosse area is home to the headquarters or regional offices of [[Kwik Trip]], [[Organic Valley]], [[Mayo Clinic]], [[Gundersen Health System]], [[Gensler]], [[La Crosse Technology]], [[City Brewing Company]], and [[Trane]]. La Crosse County is a top ten [[tourist destination]] in the state with $433 million in travel-related spending generated in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Brad |title=La Crosse ranks again in top 10 Wisconsin counties for tourism revenue |url=https://www.wizmnews.com/2022/06/09/la-crosse-ranks-again-in-top-10-wisconsin-counties-for-tourism-revenue/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |work=WIZM 92.3FM 1410AM |date=June 10, 2022}}</ref>

La Crosse is a [[college town]] with over 20,000 students and home to the [[University of Wisconsin-La Crosse]], [[Viterbo University]], and [[Western Technical College]].


==History==
==History==
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[[File:3rd Pearl La Crosse Wisconsin LOC fsa.8a11061.jpg|thumb|Pearl Street in Downtown La Crosse in the summer of 1939.]]
[[File:3rd Pearl La Crosse Wisconsin LOC fsa.8a11061.jpg|thumb|Pearl Street in Downtown La Crosse in the summer of 1939.]]


===18th century===
The first Europeans to see the region were French [[fur trade]]rs who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. 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 from the game with sticks that resembled a bishop's [[crozier]] or ''[[lacrosse|la crosse]]'' in French, which was played by Native Americans there.<ref>{{Cite web|title=La Crosse: Origin of La Crosse, Wisconsin|url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS9524|access-date=October 24, 2017|website=Wisconsin Historical Society|date=June 9, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Coues|first=Elliott|url=https://archive.org/details/expeditionsofzeb01pike|title=The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike|publisher=Harper|year=1895|volume=1|location=New York|pages=49–51|language=en|oclc=1045233234}}</ref>
The first Europeans to see the region were French [[fur trade]]rs who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. 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 from the game with sticks that resembled a bishop's [[crozier]] or ''[[lacrosse|la crosse]]'' in French, which was played by Native Americans there.<ref>{{Cite web|title=La Crosse: Origin of La Crosse, Wisconsin|url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS9524|access-date=October 24, 2017|website=Wisconsin Historical Society|date=June 9, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Coues|first=Elliott|url=https://archive.org/details/expeditionsofzeb01pike|title=The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike|publisher=Harper|year=1895|volume=1|location=New York|pages=49–51|language=en|oclc=1045233234}}</ref>


===19th century===
In 1841, the first white settlement at La Crosse was established when [[Nathan Myrick]], a New York native, moved to the village at [[Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin]] to work in the [[fur trade]]. Myrick was disappointed to find that because many fur traders were already well-entrenched there, there were no openings for him in the trade. As a result, he decided to establish a trading post upriver at the then still unsettled site of Prairie La Crosse. In 1841, he built a temporary trading post on [[Pettibone Park (La Crosse)|Barron Island]] (now called Pettibone Park), which lies just west of La Crosse's present downtown. The following year, Myrick relocated the post to the mainland prairie, partnering with H. J. B. Miller to run the outfit.<ref>[http://www.lacrosselibrary.org/genealogy/laxhistory/Ethnicity.asp La Crosse County History: Brief History of La Crosse County, 1841–1905]. La Crosse Public Library. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013124207/http://lacrosselibrary.org/genealogy/laxhistory/Ethnicity.asp|date=October 13, 2007}}</ref>
In 1841, the first white settlement at La Crosse was established when [[Nathan Myrick]], a New York native, moved to the village at [[Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin]] to work in the [[fur trade]]. Myrick was disappointed to find that because many fur traders were already well-entrenched there, there were no openings for him in the trade. As a result, he decided to establish a trading post upriver at the then still unsettled site of Prairie La Crosse. In 1841, he built a temporary trading post on [[Pettibone Park (La Crosse)|Barron Island]] (now called Pettibone Park), which lies just west of La Crosse's present downtown. The following year, Myrick relocated the post to the mainland prairie, partnering with H. J. B. Miller to run the outfit.<ref>[http://www.lacrosselibrary.org/genealogy/laxhistory/Ethnicity.asp La Crosse County History: Brief History of La Crosse County, 1841–1905]. La Crosse Public Library. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013124207/http://lacrosselibrary.org/genealogy/laxhistory/Ethnicity.asp|date=October 13, 2007}}</ref>


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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 (Wisconsin politician)|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 as a result of promotion of the city in eastern newspapers. By 1855, La Crosse had grown in population to nearly 2,000 residents, leading to its incorporation in 1856. The city grew even more rapidly after 1858 with the completion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the second railroad connecting [[Milwaukee]] to the Mississippi River.
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 (Wisconsin politician)|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 as a result of promotion of the city in eastern newspapers. By 1855, La Crosse had grown in population to nearly 2,000 residents, leading to its incorporation in 1856. The city grew even more rapidly after 1858 with the completion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visitbluffcountry.com/wisconsin/la-crosse/|title=La Crosse|website=visitbluffcountry.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-06}}</ref> It was a center of the lumber industry, for logs cut in the interior of the state could be rafted down the Black River toward [[sawmill]]s 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]].
During the second half of the 19th century, La Crosse grew to become one of the largest cities in Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visitbluffcountry.com/wisconsin/la-crosse/|title=La Crosse|website=visitbluffcountry.com|language=en-US|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> It was a center of the lumber industry, for logs cut in the interior of the state could be rafted down the Black River toward [[sawmill]]s 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]].


===20th century===
Around the turn of the 20th century, the city became a center for education, with three colleges and universities established in the city between 1890 and 1912. Similar to cities across the country, La Crosse saw population stagnation in the latter half of the 20th century as a result of suburbanization. Since 1966, La Crosse has seen its population grow by 10.73%, while its area, miles of sewer, and miles of water mains each grew by more than 50%.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 10, 1966|title=Annexation of Territory|url=https://mds.wi.gov/View/Documents?Type=MunicipalRecordFile&ID=00019991|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Municipal Data System|publisher=[[Wisconsin Department of Administration]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Crandall|first=Jay|date=December 2018|title=2020 Infrastructure Improvement Map|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showdocument?id=1780|access-date=2022-01-18|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> La Crosse remains the largest city on Wisconsin's western border, and the educational institutions in the city have recently led it toward becoming a regional technology and medical hub.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the city became a center for education, with three colleges and universities established in the city between 1890 and 1912. Similar to cities across the country, La Crosse saw population stagnation in the latter half of the 20th century as a result of suburbanization. Since 1966, La Crosse has seen its population grow by 10.73%, while its area, miles of sewer, and miles of water mains each grew by more than 50%.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 10, 1966|title=Annexation of Territory|url=https://mds.wi.gov/View/Documents?Type=MunicipalRecordFile&ID=00019991|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Municipal Data System|publisher=[[Wisconsin Department of Administration]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Crandall|first=Jay|date=December 2018|title=2020 Infrastructure Improvement Map|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showdocument?id=1780|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> La Crosse remains the largest city on Wisconsin's western border, and the educational institutions in the city have recently led it toward becoming a regional technology and medical hub.


===21st century===
In 2016, Mayor Tim Kabat and former Mayor John Medinger issued a proclamation apologizing for La Crosse's history as a [[sundown town]] that discriminated against African Americans.<ref>{{cite news|title=La Crosse mayors acknowledge city's inequitable past|first=Jourdan|last=Vian|work=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis|date=December 11, 2016|page=B8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29386351/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=The proclamation came a little over a month after Kabat apologized for La Crosse's history as a 'sundown town,' a city or village with either formal or informal codes that pushed black people out of the community after sundown, after a presentation from sociologist [[James W. Loewen|James Loewen]] at La Crosse City Hall. Loewen was invited by the [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse|University of Wisconsin-La Crosse]] and the city's Human Rights Commission.}}</ref>
In 2016, Mayor Tim Kabat and former Mayor John Medinger issued a proclamation apologizing for La Crosse's history as a [[sundown town]] that discriminated against African Americans.<ref>{{cite news|title=La Crosse mayors acknowledge city's inequitable past|first=Jourdan|last=Vian|work=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis|date=December 11, 2016|page=B8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29386351/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=The proclamation came a little over a month after Kabat apologized for La Crosse's history as a 'sundown town,' a city or village with either formal or informal codes that pushed black people out of the community after sundown, after a presentation from sociologist [[James W. Loewen|James Loewen]] at La Crosse City Hall. Loewen was invited by the [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse]] and the city's Human Rights Commission.}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
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La Crosse is located on the western border of the midsection of [[Wisconsin]], on a broad [[alluvium|alluvial]] plain along the east side of the [[Mississippi River]]. The [[Black River (Wisconsin)|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. Just upriver from its mouth, this river broadens into a marshland that splits the city into two distinct sections, north and south.
La Crosse is located on the western border of the midsection of [[Wisconsin]], on a broad [[alluvium|alluvial]] plain along the east side of the [[Mississippi River]]. The [[Black River (Wisconsin)|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. Just upriver from 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 {{convert|23.79|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|21.7|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|2.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="gaz2020">{{cite web|title=2020 Gazetteer Files|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2020.html|website=census.gov|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2022-08-03}}</ref>
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|23.79|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|21.7|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|2.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="gaz2020">{{cite web|title=2020 Gazetteer Files|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2020.html|website=census.gov|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref>


Surrounding the relatively flat [[prairie]] valley where La Crosse lies are towering {{convert|500|ft|adj=on}} [[Hill|bluffs]], one of the most prominent of which is [[Grandad Bluff]] (mentioned in ''[[Life on the Mississippi]]'' by [[Mark Twain]]), which has an overlook of the three states region. 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 [[coulee]]s, a French term. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hoefer|first=John|date=1985|title=The Generic Use of the Term Coulee in Western Wisconsin|url=https://wisconsingeography.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/1985-volume-1-the-generic-use-of-the-term-coule-in-western-wisconsin-by-john-hoefer.pdf|journal=The Wisconsin Geographer|volume=1}}</ref>
Surrounding the relatively flat [[prairie]] valley where La Crosse lies are towering {{convert|500|ft|adj=on}} [[Hill|bluffs]], one of the most prominent of which is [[Grandad Bluff]] (mentioned in ''[[Life on the Mississippi]]'' by [[Mark Twain]]), which has an overlook of the three states region. 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 [[coulee]]s, a French term. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hoefer|first=John|date=1985|title=The Generic Use of the Term Coulee in Western Wisconsin|url=https://wisconsingeography.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/1985-volume-1-the-generic-use-of-the-term-coule-in-western-wisconsin-by-john-hoefer.pdf|journal=The Wisconsin Geographer|volume=1}}</ref>
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===Neighborhoods and districts===
===Neighborhoods and districts===
[[File:Historic Downtown La Crosse.jpg|thumb|[[LaCrosse Commercial Historic District|Downtown Historic District]]]]
[[File:La Crosse Commercial Historic District.jpg|thumb|[[La Crosse Commercial Historic District|Downtown Historic District]]]]


La Crosse has 13 voting districts (wards).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Voting Districts|url=http://cityoflacrosse.org/DocumentView.asp?DID=182%5B%5D|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> Neighborhoods within the city include:
La Crosse has 13 voting districts (wards).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Voting Districts|url=http://cityoflacrosse.org/DocumentView.asp?DID=182%5B%5D|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> Neighborhoods within the city include:
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La Crosse is the [[episcopal see]] for the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse]]. The [[Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman]] serves as the seat of the Diocese. The city is also home to [[St. Rose of Viterbo Convent]], the mother house of the [[Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration]], and the [[Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe]]. An independent catholic school district in the city, [[La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools]], is also overseen by the diocese.
La Crosse is the [[episcopal see]] for the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse]]. The [[Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman]] serves as the seat of the Diocese. The city is also home to [[St. Rose of Viterbo Convent]], the mother house of the [[Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration]], and the [[Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe]]. An independent catholic school district in the city, [[La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools]], is also overseen by the diocese.


Protestant churches in the city include Lutheran, Evangelical, Baptist, Methodist, Vineyard, Presbyterian, and independent traditions. The [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] has five churches in La Crosse: First Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin welcomes you!|url=http://www.firstlacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=140003159|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229180928/http://www.firstlacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=140003159|archive-date=2017-12-29|access-date=2017-12-29|website=First Evangelical Lutheran Church}}</ref> Grace Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Growing in Grace|url=http://www.gracelacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=180017030|website=Grace Evangelical Lutheran}}</ref> Immanuel Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Crosse – WELS Synod|url=http://www.immanuellutheranoflacrosse.org/|website=Immanuel Lutheran Church}}</ref> Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church|url=http://www.mtcalvarylacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=180014355|website=Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church}}</ref> and St. John's Lutheran Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christstjohns.org/site/default.asp?sec_id=180002588|title=St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Barre Mills|access-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229231539/http://www.christstjohns.org/site/default.asp?sec_id=180002588|archive-date=2017-12-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> La Crosse is also home to two churches affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America; Bethany Church,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://churches.efca.org/?id=12445|title=EFCA Churches }}</ref> and Neighborhood City Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://churches.efca.org/?id=210417|title=EFCA Churches }}</ref> [[Christ Church of La Crosse]], the city's [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopal church]], is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. [[St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church]], the city's [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], is listed on the city's local register of Historic places.
Protestant churches in the city include Lutheran, Evangelical, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and independent traditions. The [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] has five churches in La Crosse: First Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin welcomes you!|url=http://www.firstlacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=140003159|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229180928/http://www.firstlacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=140003159|archive-date=December 29, 2017|access-date=December 29, 2017|website=First Evangelical Lutheran Church}}</ref> Grace Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Growing in Grace|url=http://www.gracelacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=180017030|website=Grace Evangelical Lutheran}}</ref> Immanuel Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Crosse – WELS Synod|url=http://www.immanuellutheranoflacrosse.org/|website=Immanuel Lutheran Church}}</ref> Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church,<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church|url=http://www.mtcalvarylacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=180014355|website=Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church}}</ref> and St. John's Lutheran Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christstjohns.org/site/default.asp?sec_id=180002588|title=St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Barre Mills|access-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229231539/http://www.christstjohns.org/site/default.asp?sec_id=180002588|archive-date=December 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> La Crosse is also home to two churches affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America; Bethany Church,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://churches.efca.org/?id=12445|title=EFCA Churches }}</ref> and Neighborhood City Church.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://churches.efca.org/?id=210417|title=EFCA Churches }}</ref> [[Christ Church of La Crosse]], the city's [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopal church]], is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. [[St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church]], the city's [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], is listed on the city's local register of Historic places.


Other religious groups within the city include: the Congregation Sons of Abraham, a Jewish [[synagogue]]; the [[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalist]] Fellowship of La Crosse, which has held services since 1951;<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.uulacrosse.org/home-2/about-us/our-history/|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse}}</ref> the Islamic Society Othman Bin Afaan; and the [[Hmong in Wisconsin|Hmong]] Faith Alliance Church.
Other religious groups within the city include: the Congregation Sons of Abraham, a Jewish [[synagogue]]; the [[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalist]] Fellowship of La Crosse, which has held services since 1951;<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.uulacrosse.org/home-2/about-us/our-history/|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse}}</ref> the Islamic Society Othman Bin Afaan; and the [[Hmong in Wisconsin|Hmong]] Faith Alliance Church.
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*[[City Brewing Company]], former [[G. Heileman Brewing Company|Heileman Old Style brewery]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citybrewery.com/facilities/lacrosse-facility.cshtml|title=La Crosse|publisher=City Brewing Company|access-date=December 28, 2017|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054452/https://www.citybrewery.com/facilities/lacrosse-facility.cshtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[City Brewing Company]], former [[G. Heileman Brewing Company|Heileman Old Style brewery]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citybrewery.com/facilities/lacrosse-facility.cshtml|title=La Crosse|publisher=City Brewing Company|access-date=December 28, 2017|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054452/https://www.citybrewery.com/facilities/lacrosse-facility.cshtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Franciscan Skemp Medical Center]], health care network with flagship campus in La Crosse
*[[Franciscan Skemp Medical Center]], health care network with flagship campus in La Crosse
*[[Gundersen Health System]], health care network with flagship campus in La Crosse<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gundersenhealth.org/our-system/about-us|title=Our System – Gundersen Health System|website=www.gundersenhealth.org}}</ref>
*[[Gundersen Health System]], health care network with flagship campus in La Crosse<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gundersenhealth.org/our-system/about-us|title=Our System – Gundersen Health System|website=www.gundersenhealth.org|access-date=November 26, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006094906/http://www.gundersenhealth.org/our-system/about-us|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Kwik Trip]], regional gas and convenience stores<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Story|url=https://www.kwiktrip.com/Our-Story|access-date=April 28, 2018|website=Kwik Trip}}</ref>
*[[Kwik Trip]], regional gas and convenience stores<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Story|url=https://www.kwiktrip.com/Our-Story|access-date=April 28, 2018|website=Kwik Trip}}</ref>
*[[La Crosse Technology]], manufacturer of atomic clocks and weather stations
*[[La Crosse Technology]], manufacturer of atomic clocks and weather stations
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===Largest employers===
===Largest employers===
{{As of|2012}} the 10 largest employers in La Crosse were:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://lacrossetribune.com/largest-employers-la-crosse-county/article_d312f82c-12bc-11e3-90bf-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Largest Employers (La Crosse County)|newspaper=La Crosse Tribune|date=September 1, 2013|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref>
{{As of|2012}}, the 10 largest employers in La Crosse were:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://lacrossetribune.com/largest-employers-la-crosse-county/article_d312f82c-12bc-11e3-90bf-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Largest Employers (La Crosse County)|newspaper=La Crosse Tribune|date=September 1, 2013|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref>


#[[Gundersen Health System]]
#[[Gundersen Health System]]
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==Parks and recreation==
==Parks and recreation==
===Sport===
===Sport===
[[File:Mt. La Crosse sunset.jpg|thumb|Mt. La Crosse on the edge of the south side of La Crosse, in the [[Shelby, Wisconsin|Town of Shelby]]]]
The [[La Crosse Loggers]] of the [[Northwoods League]], play baseball at their home field at [[Copeland Park]] on the north side of La Crosse in the summer months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrosseloggers.com|title=La Crosse Loggers: Makin' Memories... One Game at a Time!|publisher=La Crosse Loggers}}</ref> In 2017, the [[La Crosse Showtime]] began play in the [[American Basketball Association (2000–present)|American Basketball Association]] at La Crosse Center. In the past, the La Crosse Center has been home to the [[La Crosse Catbirds|Catbirds]] and the [[La Crosse Bobcats|Bobcats]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]], as well as the [[La Crosse River Rats|River Rats]] of the [[Indoor Football League (1999–2000)|IFL]], the [[La Crosse Spartans|Spartans]] of the [[Indoor Football League|IFL]] and the [[La Crosse Night Train|Night Train]] of the [[National Indoor Football League|NIFL]]. In the winter season, the [[Coulee Region Chill (NA3HL)|Coulee Region Chill]] was a junior team in the [[North American 3 Hockey League]] at the Green Island Ice Arena.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 30, 2018|title=Coulee Region Chill sold and relocated to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin|url=http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=24017|work=[[North American Hockey League]]}}</ref> Additionally, the area's only ski hill, Mt. La Crosse, opened in 1959 and has 19 slopes and trails. The ski hill is home to ''Damnation!'', Mid-America's steepest trail.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Mt. La Crosse|url=http://www.mtlacrosse.com/aboutmtlacrosse.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203032708/http://mtlacrosse.com/aboutmtlacrosse.php|archive-date=February 3, 2011|access-date=June 11, 2011|publisher=Mt. La Crosse Skiing and Snowboarding}}</ref>
The [[La Crosse Loggers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrosseloggers.com|title=La Crosse Loggers: Makin' Memories... One Game at a Time!|publisher=La Crosse Loggers}}</ref> (baseball) and La Crosse Steam<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northwoodsleague.com/la-crosse-steam/|title=Home - La Crosse Steam|publisher=La Crosse Steam}}</ref> (softball) of the [[Northwoods League]] play at their home field at [[Copeland Park]] on the north side of La Crosse in the summer months. In 2017, the [[La Crosse Showtime]] began play in the [[American Basketball Association (2000–present)|American Basketball Association]] at La Crosse Center. In the past, the La Crosse Center has been home to the [[La Crosse Catbirds|Catbirds]] and the [[La Crosse Bobcats|Bobcats]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]], as well as the [[La Crosse River Rats|River Rats]] of the [[Indoor Football League (1999–2000)|IFL]], the [[La Crosse Spartans|Spartans]] of the [[Indoor Football League|IFL]] and the [[La Crosse Night Train|Night Train]] of the [[National Indoor Football League|NIFL]]. In the winter season, the [[Coulee Region Chill (NA3HL)|Coulee Region Chill]] was a junior team in the [[North American 3 Hockey League]] at the Green Island Ice Arena.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 30, 2018|title=Coulee Region Chill sold and relocated to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin|url=http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=24017|work=[[North American Hockey League]]}}</ref> Additionally, the area's only ski hill, Mt. La Crosse, opened in 1959 and has 19 slopes and trails. The ski hill is home to ''Damnation!'', Mid-America's steepest trail.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Mt. La Crosse|url=http://www.mtlacrosse.com/aboutmtlacrosse.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203032708/http://mtlacrosse.com/aboutmtlacrosse.php|archive-date=February 3, 2011|access-date=June 11, 2011|publisher=Mt. La Crosse Skiing and Snowboarding}}</ref>


The [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse]]'s ''Eagles'' compete in [[NCAA Division III]]. The university's 10,000 seat [[Veterans Memorial Stadium (La Crosse)|Veterans Memorial Field]] for football (turf field) and outdoor timed track opened in 2009 and hosts the [[Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association|WIAA]] Wisconsin high school outdoor track and field state championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uwlax.edu/campaign/sportscomplex.html|title=Investing in our Facilities: UW-L Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex|publisher=University of Wisconsin-La Crosse|access-date=June 11, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430193319/http://www.uwlax.edu/campaign/sportscomplex.html|archive-date=April 30, 2011}}</ref>
The [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse]]'s ''Eagles'' compete in [[NCAA Division III]]. The university's 10,000 seat [[Veterans Memorial Stadium (La Crosse)|Veterans Memorial Field]] for football (turf field) and outdoor timed track opened in 2009 and hosts the [[Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association|WIAA]] Wisconsin high school outdoor track and field state championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uwlax.edu/campaign/sportscomplex.html|title=Investing in our Facilities: UW-L Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex|publisher=University of Wisconsin-La Crosse|access-date=June 11, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430193319/http://www.uwlax.edu/campaign/sportscomplex.html|archive-date=April 30, 2011}}</ref>
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[[File:A Simpler Time Statue and Riverside Park levee.jpg|thumb|''A Simpler Time'' statue and Riverside Park (La Crosse) levee]]
[[File:A Simpler Time Statue and Riverside Park levee.jpg|thumb|''A Simpler Time'' statue and Riverside Park (La Crosse) levee]]
[[File:Pickleball court in La Crosse, Wisconsin 02.jpg|thumb|[[Pickleball]] courts at [[Trane]] park]]
[[File:Pickleball court in La Crosse, Wisconsin 02.jpg|thumb|[[Pickleball]] courts at [[Trane]] park]]
[[Riverside Park (La Crosse)|Riverside Park]] is situated on the riverfront of downtown La Crosse near the [[Cass Street Bridge (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Blue Bridges]]. It hosts events such as Riverfest, Fourth of July fireworks, [[Oktoberfest celebrations|Oktoberfest]], and the Rotary Lights. Several steamboats make stops along the river in the park, including the [[American Queen]], [[La Crosse Queen]], and [[Julia Belle Swain]]. The park has walking/running trails.<ref>{{cite web|title=Riverside Park|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/parksandrec/RiversidePark|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429093336/https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/parksandrec/RiversidePark|archive-date=April 29, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=City of La Crosse}}</ref> The park was previously home to a controversial [[Statue of Hiawatha]]. Long standing public debate about whether the statue was offensive or presented a caricature based on stereotypes of Native Americans eventually led to its removal in 2020, nearly 60 years after it was erected.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Olivia Herken La Crosse|date=July 17, 2020|title=The history behind the Hiawatha statue: What's behind the name, intent and controversy?|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/education/the-history-behind-the-hiawatha-statue-whats-behind-the-name-intent-and-controversy/article_017f60e9-1a3a-59eb-bd7b-2acf8d742368.html|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=La Crosse Tribune|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Olivia Herken La Crosse|date=July 22, 2020|title=Petition and Ho-Chunk leaders continue discussion over Hiawatha statue in La Crosse|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/education/petition-and-ho-chunk-leaders-continue-discussion-over-hiawatha-statue-in-la-crosse/article_76208b8e-f447-5958-aa69-8391b635957f.html|access-date=2020-08-23|website=La Crosse Tribune|language=en}}</ref>
[[Riverside Park (La Crosse)|Riverside Park]] is situated on the riverfront of downtown La Crosse near the [[Cass Street Bridge (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Blue Bridges]]. It hosts events such as Riverfest, Fourth of July fireworks, [[Oktoberfest celebrations|Oktoberfest]], and the Rotary Lights. Several steamboats make stops along the river in the park, including the [[American Queen]], [[La Crosse Queen]], and [[Julia Belle Swain]]. The park has walking/running trails.<ref>{{cite web|title=Riverside Park|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/parksandrec/RiversidePark|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429093336/https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/parksandrec/RiversidePark|archive-date=April 29, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=City of La Crosse}}</ref> The park was previously home to a controversial [[Statue of Hiawatha]]. Long standing public debate about whether the statue was offensive or presented a caricature based on stereotypes of Native Americans eventually led to its removal in 2020, nearly 60 years after it was erected.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Olivia Herken La Crosse|date=July 17, 2020|title=The history behind the Hiawatha statue: What's behind the name, intent and controversy?|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/education/the-history-behind-the-hiawatha-statue-whats-behind-the-name-intent-and-controversy/article_017f60e9-1a3a-59eb-bd7b-2acf8d742368.html|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=La Crosse Tribune|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Olivia Herken La Crosse|date=July 22, 2020|title=Petition and Ho-Chunk leaders continue discussion over Hiawatha statue in La Crosse|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/education/petition-and-ho-chunk-leaders-continue-discussion-over-hiawatha-statue-in-la-crosse/article_76208b8e-f447-5958-aa69-8391b635957f.html|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=La Crosse Tribune|language=en}}</ref>


[[Pettibone Park (La Crosse)|Pettibone Park]] is located on Baron Island, across the river from Riverside Park and the downtown area. The island was originally part of the state of Minnesota. The land was transferred to Wisconsin and eventually the City of La Crosse following a border dispute that was resolved in 1919.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 5, 2014|title=Hometown Icon: Pettibone Park|work=[[La Crosse Tribune]]|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/hometown-icon-pettibone-park/article_79ae73d8-cca4-56c5-877e-21f87fb439b5.html|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Today the park has a variety of recreational facilities, including a beach and disc golf course.
[[Pettibone Park (La Crosse)|Pettibone Park]] is located on Baron Island, across the river from Riverside Park and the downtown area. The island was originally part of the state of Minnesota. The land was transferred to Wisconsin and eventually the City of La Crosse following a border dispute that was resolved in 1919.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 5, 2014|title=Hometown Icon: Pettibone Park|work=[[La Crosse Tribune]]|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/hometown-icon-pettibone-park/article_79ae73d8-cca4-56c5-877e-21f87fb439b5.html|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Today the park has a variety of recreational facilities, including a beach and disc golf course.
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==Government==
==Government==
[[File:La Crosse city hall.jpg|thumb|upright|La Crosse city hall]]
[[File:La Crosse City Hall.jpg|thumb|La Crosse City Hall]]


The city government employs a weak mayor form of the [[mayor-council system]]. The mayor is elected at-large, while the 13 members of the Common Council are elected per aldermanic districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/index.aspx?nid=342|title=Elected Officials|publisher=City of La Crosse|access-date=March 9, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711114417/http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/index.aspx?NID=342|archive-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref> Mitch Reynolds defeated Vicki Markussen in the 2021 La Crosse Mayoral election, succeeding retiring incumbent Tim Kabat. Kabat served as Mayor from 2013 to 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wxow.com/story/21874544/2013/04/03/councils-new-gang-of-5-seek-mood-of-cooperation|title=Council's New Gang of 5 Seek Mood of Cooperation at City Hall|publisher=WXOW|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224055801/http://www.wxow.com/story/21874544/2013/04/03/councils-new-gang-of-5-seek-mood-of-cooperation|archive-date=February 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The city government employs a weak mayor form of the [[mayor-council system]]. The mayor is elected at-large, while the 13 members of the Common Council are elected per aldermanic districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/index.aspx?nid=342|title=Elected Officials|publisher=City of La Crosse|access-date=March 9, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711114417/http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/index.aspx?NID=342|archive-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref> Mitch Reynolds defeated Vicki Markussen in the 2021 La Crosse Mayoral election, succeeding retiring incumbent Tim Kabat. Kabat served as Mayor from 2013 to 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wxow.com/story/21874544/2013/04/03/councils-new-gang-of-5-seek-mood-of-cooperation|title=Council's New Gang of 5 Seek Mood of Cooperation at City Hall|publisher=WXOW|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224055801/http://www.wxow.com/story/21874544/2013/04/03/councils-new-gang-of-5-seek-mood-of-cooperation|archive-date=February 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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==Education==
==Education==
[[File:UW-L campus shot.jpg|thumb|right|[[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse|UW-La Crosse]] campus in the evening]]
[[File:UW-L campus 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse|UW-La Crosse]] campus]]
[[File:Viterbo University.jpg|thumb|[[Viterbo University]]]]
[[File:Viterbo University.jpg|thumb|[[Viterbo University]]]]
[[File:Western Technical College La Crosse.jpg|thumb|[[Western Technical College]] <br>La Crosse campus]]
[[File:Western Technical College La Crosse.jpg|thumb|[[Western Technical College]] <br>La Crosse campus]]
The La Crosse area is served by the [[School District of La Crosse]], which as of 2022, has a total enrollment of 6,139 students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=School District of La Crosse Enrollment|url=https://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/Dashboard/dashboard/18110|access-date=2022-09-04|website=Wisconsin's Information System for Education Data Dashboard|publisher=[[Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction]]}}</ref> As of 2021, the district has 16 separate facilities, providing a total of 20 elementary, middle, high, and charter school programs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 1, 2021|title=District Facility Study Report|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B0Ll_ZMPGcLWDvWqhnaV5ZhG6HRDY7cX/view?usp=sharing&usp=embed_facebook|access-date=2022-09-04|website=Google Docs|publisher=School District of La Crosse}}</ref> In 2021, the school district proposed to consolidate the district's largest high schools, [[La Crosse Central High School|Central High School]] and [[Logan High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Logan High School]], into a new facility. This plan was voted down in a district-wide referendum in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referendum|url=https://www.lacrosseschools.org/referendum/|access-date=2022-09-04|website=School District of La Crosse|language=en-US}}</ref>
The La Crosse area is served by the [[School District of La Crosse]], which as of 2022, has a total enrollment of 6,139 students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=School District of La Crosse Enrollment|url=https://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/Dashboard/dashboard/18110|access-date=September 4, 2022|website=Wisconsin's Information System for Education Data Dashboard|publisher=[[Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction]]}}</ref> As of 2021, the district has 16 separate facilities, providing a total of 20 elementary, middle, high, and charter school programs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 1, 2021|title=District Facility Study Report|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B0Ll_ZMPGcLWDvWqhnaV5ZhG6HRDY7cX/view?usp=sharing&usp=embed_facebook|access-date=September 4, 2022|website=Google Docs|publisher=School District of La Crosse}}</ref> In 2021, the school district proposed to consolidate the district's largest high schools, [[La Crosse Central High School|Central High School]] and [[Logan High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Logan High School]], into a new facility. This plan was voted down in a district-wide referendum in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referendum|url=https://www.lacrosseschools.org/referendum/|access-date=September 4, 2022|website=School District of La Crosse|language=en-US}}</ref>


Catholic private schools in La Crosse include [[La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools]], a [[Roman Catholic]] school district affiliated with the [[Diocese of La Crosse]], which includes [[Aquinas High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Aquinas High School]] and [[Aquinas Middle School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Aquinas Middle School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aquinasschools.org/|title=Welcome to Aquinas Catholic Schools|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=Aquinas Catholic Schools}}</ref> Another Roman Catholic school, the [[Providence Academy (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Providence Academy]], is independent from the district and has no affiliation with the Diocese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providencelacrosse.org/?q=node/9|title=Providence Academy|publisher=Providence Academy}}</ref>
Catholic private schools in La Crosse include [[La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools]], a [[Roman Catholic]] school district affiliated with the [[Diocese of La Crosse]], which includes [[Aquinas High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Aquinas High School]] and [[Aquinas Middle School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Aquinas Middle School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aquinasschools.org/|title=Welcome to Aquinas Catholic Schools|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=Aquinas Catholic Schools}}</ref> Another Roman Catholic school, the [[Providence Academy (La Crosse, Wisconsin)|Providence Academy]], is independent from the district and has no affiliation with the Diocese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.providencelacrosse.org/?q=node/9|title=Providence Academy|publisher=Providence Academy}}</ref>
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==Media==
==Media==
===Print===
===Print===
La Crosse's largest newspaper is the daily ''[[La Crosse Tribune]]'' which serves the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa regions. ''[[The Racquet]]'' is the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's free weekly paper. Free weekly tabloids include the ''Foxxy Shopper'' and the ''Buyer's Express.'' Regional magazines, including the ''Coulee Parenting Connection'' and the ''Coulee Region Women'', are also produced in the city.
La Crosse's largest newspaper is the daily ''[[La Crosse Tribune]]'' which serves the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa regions. ''[[The Racquet]]'' is the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse's free weekly paper. Free weekly tabloids include the ''Foxxy Shopper'' and the ''Buyer's Express.'' Regional magazines, including the ''Coulee Parenting Connection'' and the ''Coulee Region Women'', are also produced in the city.


===Television===
===Television===
Line 665: Line 666:
|104.5 FM||[[WAXX]]||Today's WAXX 104.5||[[Country music|Country]]
|104.5 FM||[[WAXX]]||Today's WAXX 104.5||[[Country music|Country]]
|-
|-
|104.9 FM||[[WGSL]]||Prayz Network||[[Christian Contemporary]]
|104.9 FM||[[WEQL]]||Prayz Network||[[Christian Contemporary]]
|-
|-
|105.5 FM||[[WFBZ]]||105.5 ESPN||[[Sports radio|Sports]]
|105.5 FM||[[WFBZ]]||105.5 ESPN||[[Sports radio|Sports]]
|-
|105.9 FM||[[WKPO]]||KPO-FM||[[Adult Hits]]
|-
|-
|106.3 FM||[[WQCC]]||Kicks 106.3||[[Country music|Country]]
|106.3 FM||[[WQCC]]||Kicks 106.3||[[Country music|Country]]
Line 679: Line 682:
|}
|}


==Infrastructure==
==Transport==
===Airport===
===Airport===
[[File:The La Crosse Municipal Airport (1342810135).jpg|thumb|right|La Crosse Airport]]
[[File:The La Crosse Municipal Airport (1342810135).jpg|thumb|right|La Crosse Airport]]


The [[La Crosse Regional Airport]], located on [[French Island, Wisconsin|French Island]], provides direct scheduled passenger service to [[Minneapolis]] and Chicago through [[Delta Air Lines]] link [[Endeavor Air]], as well as [[American Airlines]] link [[Envoy Air]]. [[Sun Country Airlines|Sun Country]] and [[Xtra Airways]] provide charter service to [[Laughlin, Nevada|Laughlin]], [[Elko, Nevada]], and other destinations. The airport also serves [[general aviation]] for the La Crosse region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Airport|title=Airport|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=City of La Crosse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429093342/https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Airport|archive-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[La Crosse Regional Airport]], (KLSE) located on [[French Island, Wisconsin|French Island]], provides direct scheduled passenger service to Chicago through [[American Airlines]] regional carrier [[Air Wisconsin]]. [[Sun Country Airlines|Sun Country]] and [[Xtra Airways]] provide charter service to [[Laughlin, Nevada|Laughlin]], [[Elko, Nevada]], and other destinations. The airport also serves [[general aviation]] for the La Crosse region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Airport|title=Airport|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=City of La Crosse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429093342/https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Airport|archive-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Roads===
===Roads===
Line 695: Line 698:
In 2012, the City of La Crosse was the first city in Wisconsin to pass a Green [[Complete Streets]] ordinance. This ordinance requires that when roads are reconstructed the needs of stormwater management and the safety of bicycles and pedestrians are taken into account in the new design. The same year, the city passed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to guide improvements to the transportation network for those walking or cycling in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|date=Fall 2012|title=Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showpublisheddocument/1548/637139041124270000|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref>
In 2012, the City of La Crosse was the first city in Wisconsin to pass a Green [[Complete Streets]] ordinance. This ordinance requires that when roads are reconstructed the needs of stormwater management and the safety of bicycles and pedestrians are taken into account in the new design. The same year, the city passed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to guide improvements to the transportation network for those walking or cycling in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|date=Fall 2012|title=Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showpublisheddocument/1548/637139041124270000|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref>


By 2018, La Crosse had {{convert|7.7|mi}} of on-street [[bike lanes]], {{convert|17.1|mi}} of paved [[bike paths]], and {{convert|12|mi}} of unpaved paths.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2018|title=Cycle La Crosse: Economic Impact Analysis of a Better Bikeway Network in La Crosse, WI|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showpublisheddocument/2419/637196091121630000|access-date=2022-01-18|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> As of 2021, however, La Crosse had no protected bike lanes, while bike infrastructure has generally gone unmaintained{{clarifyme|date=November 2022}} through the winter months.{{fact|date=November 2022}}
By 2018, La Crosse had {{convert|7.7|mi}} of on-street [[bike lanes]], {{convert|17.1|mi}} of paved [[bike paths]], and {{convert|12|mi}} of unpaved paths.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2018|title=Cycle La Crosse: Economic Impact Analysis of a Better Bikeway Network in La Crosse, WI|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showpublisheddocument/2419/637196091121630000|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> As of 2021, however, La Crosse had no protected bike lanes, while bike infrastructure has generally gone unmaintained{{clarifyme|date=November 2022}} through the winter months.{{fact|date=November 2022}}


A new [[bikeshare]] system debuted in downtown La Crosse in April 2021 through a partnership of La Crosse Neighborhoods, Inc and Koloni, an Iowa based bikeshare company. It is hoped that this service will be expanded across the city in the near future. The system has grown each year from 8 bikeshare stations and 40 bikes available for use in 2021, to 10 stations and 50 bikes in 2022 and to 15 stations and 75 bikes in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drift Cycle: La Crosse Community Bike Share Project|url=https://lacrosseneighborhoods.org/drift/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=La Crosse Neighborhoods, Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://driftlax.org/|title=Drift Cycle|access-date=June 18, 2023}}</ref>
A new [[bikeshare]] system debuted in downtown La Crosse in April 2021 through a partnership of La Crosse Neighborhoods, Inc and Koloni, an Iowa based bikeshare company. It is hoped that this service will be expanded across the city in the near future. The system has grown each year from 8 bikeshare stations and 40 bikes available for use in 2021, to 10 stations and 50 bikes in 2022 and to 15 stations and 75 bikes in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drift Cycle: La Crosse Community Bike Share Project|url=https://lacrosseneighborhoods.org/drift/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=La Crosse Neighborhoods, Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://driftlax.org/|title=Drift Cycle|access-date=June 18, 2023}}</ref>


The interstate [[Mississippi River Trail]] passes through La Crosse. However, the trail does not follow a dedicated multi-use path. The [[La Crosse River Trail]] and the [[Great River State Trail]] pass through the northern edge of the city. These trails combine to form one continuous trail from [[Trempealeau, Wisconsin|Trempealeau]] to [[Reedsburg, Wisconsin|Reedsburg]]. They are [[rail trails]] built on the former roadbed of the [[Chicago and Northwestern Railway]].{{fact|date=November 2022}}
The interstate [[Mississippi River Trail]] passes through La Crosse. However, the trail does not follow a dedicated multi-use path. The [[La Crosse River Trail]] and the [[Great River State Trail]] pass through the northern edge of the city. These trails combine to form one continuous trail from [[Trempealeau, Wisconsin|Trempealeau]] to [[Reedsburg, Wisconsin|Reedsburg]]. They are [[rail trails]] built on the former roadbed of the [[Chicago and Northwestern Railway]].{{fact|date=November 2022}}
Line 705: Line 708:
[[File:La Crosse MTU 2020.jpg|thumb|A La Crosse MTU Bus (April 2020).]]
[[File:La Crosse MTU 2020.jpg|thumb|A La Crosse MTU Bus (April 2020).]]


Public transit in La Crosse began with the opening of a horse-drawn [[streetcar]] line in 1878. Over time, more streetcar lines were added, and by 1893, all streetcars had been electrified. Beginning in the early 20th century, however, increasing car ownership led to a decline of the privately run streetcar system. As a result, buses began to replace streetcars throughout the city. By November 1945, the last streetcar line closed. The City of La Crosse took over operations of the buses in the 1970s from the Mississippi Valley Public Service Company, as the buses could no longer be operated profitably.{{fact|date=November 2022}}
Public transit in La Crosse began with the opening of a horse-drawn [[streetcar]] line in 1878. Over time, more streetcar lines were added, and by 1893, all streetcars had been electrified. Beginning in the early 20th century, however, increasing car ownership led to a decline of the privately run streetcar system. As a result, buses began to replace streetcars throughout the city. By November 1945, the last streetcar line closed. The City of La Crosse took over operations of the buses in the 1970s from the Mississippi Valley Public Service Company, as the buses could no longer be operated profitably.{{fact|date=November 2022}}


In 1945, in the first timetable after streetcar service had ended, there were four bus routes. The earliest bus left at 5:40&nbsp;am and the last bus returned at 1:00&nbsp;am. Buses ran at a 10 to 15-minute headway throughout the day. In total, the buses provided 1519.95 hours of service per week. Today, in 2021, the MTU provides only 1141.6 hours of service per week, a decline of 24.89%.{{fact|date=November 2022}}
In 1945, in the first timetable after streetcar service had ended, there were four bus routes. The earliest bus left at 5:40&nbsp;am and the last bus returned at 1:00&nbsp;am. Buses ran at a 10 to 15-minute headway throughout the day. In total, the buses provided 1519.95 hours of service per week. Today, in 2021, the MTU provides only 1141.6 hours of service per week, a decline of 24.89%.{{fact|date=November 2022}}


The City of La Crosse's MTU [[transit bus|bus service]] with routes reaching out to the suburbs served over one million users in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/02/news/01bus.txt|title=MTU buses cruise to 1 million served|author=Samantha Marcus|newspaper=La Crosse Tribune|date=March 2, 2008|access-date=2017-12-27}}</ref> As of 2021, the MTU operates 11 routes with the earliest buses beginning their routes at 5:12&nbsp;am and running until 10:40&nbsp;pm at the latest.<ref>{{Cite web|title=La Crosse MTU: Transit System Map an Rider's Guide|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=834|access-date=2022-01-18|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref>
The City of La Crosse's MTU [[transit bus|bus service]] with routes reaching out to the suburbs served over one million users in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/02/news/01bus.txt|title=MTU buses cruise to 1 million served|author=Samantha Marcus|newspaper=La Crosse Tribune|date=March 2, 2008|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref> As of 2021, the MTU operates 11 routes with the earliest buses beginning their routes at 5:12&nbsp;am and running until 10:40&nbsp;pm at the latest.<ref>{{Cite web|title=La Crosse MTU: Transit System Map an Rider's Guide|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=834|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref>


In addition to the MTU, a regional bus service, Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit, provides service to Prairie du Chien, Viroqua, Tomah, and points in-between. The service has four routes, which only run on weekdays.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 1, 2020|title=Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit Brochure|url=https://ridesmrt.com/wp-content/uploads/SMRT-Bus-Sched.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit|archive-date=September 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929225502/https://ridesmrt.com/wp-content/uploads/SMRT-Bus-Sched.pdf}}</ref>
In addition to the MTU, a regional bus service, Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit, provides service to Prairie du Chien, Viroqua, Tomah, and points in-between. The service has four routes, which only run on weekdays.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 1, 2020|title=Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit Brochure|url=https://ridesmrt.com/wp-content/uploads/SMRT-Bus-Sched.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit|archive-date=September 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929225502/https://ridesmrt.com/wp-content/uploads/SMRT-Bus-Sched.pdf}}</ref>


===Waterways===
===Waterways===
Line 722: Line 725:
[[File:La Crosse BNSF rail yard.jpg|thumb|alt=La Crosse BNSF rail yard|La Crosse [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]] rail yard]]
[[File:La Crosse BNSF rail yard.jpg|thumb|alt=La Crosse BNSF rail yard|La Crosse [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]] rail yard]]


The first rail line to reach La Crosse arrived in 1858 from Milwaukee constructed by the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad. This later became the main line of the [[Milwaukee Road]]. After the Milwaukee Road went bankrupt it became part of the [[Soo Line Railroad]] in 1985 and later came under the control of [[Canadian Pacific Railway]]. This line provides the track on which the [[La Crosse (Amtrak station)|La Crosse Amtrak station]] is located, served daily by the ''[[Empire Builder]]'' between Chicago and Seattle or Portland. As of 2021, funding has been secured to provide a second daily train from Chicago to St. Paul, stopping in La Crosse. This service will be named the ''Great River'' and is anticipated to begin in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ferraro|first=Nick|date=June 28, 2021|title=State moves forward with second daily Amtrak train to Chicago. Service could begin in 2024|work=[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]|url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/06/28/state-moves-forward-with-second-daily-amtrak-train-to-chicago-when-will-they-start-running/|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref>
The first rail line to reach La Crosse arrived in 1858 from Milwaukee constructed by the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad. This later became the main line of the [[Milwaukee Road]]. After the Milwaukee Road went bankrupt it became part of the [[Soo Line Railroad]] in 1985 and later came under the control of [[Canadian Pacific Railway]]. This line provides the track on which the [[La Crosse (Amtrak station)|La Crosse Amtrak station]] is located, served daily by the ''[[Empire Builder]]'' between Chicago and Seattle or Portland. In May 2024, the station added a daily round-trip on the new ''[[Borealis (train)|Borealis]]'' train between Chicago and St. Paul.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glischinski |first=Steve |date=May 22, 2024 |title=Amtrak Borealis makes debut |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-borealis-makes-debut/}}</ref>


Railroad tracks owned by [[BNSF Railway|Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway]] (BNSF) pass through La Crosse providing freight service. These were originally built by the [[Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad]] in 1886 to connect Chicago to the Twin Cities following the east bank of the [[Mississippi River]]. This line provided passenger service as well up until May 1, 1971, when Amtrak took over intercity passenger rail operations.{{fact|date=November 2022}}
Railroad tracks owned by [[BNSF Railway|Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway]] (BNSF) pass through La Crosse providing freight service. These were originally built by the [[Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad]] in 1886 to connect Chicago to the Twin Cities following the east bank of the [[Mississippi River]]. This line provided passenger service as well up until May 1, 1971, when Amtrak took over intercity passenger rail operations.{{fact|date=November 2022}}


===Intercity Bus===
===Intercity Bus===
{{further|List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin}}


[[Jefferson Lines]] serves La Crosse with one daily bus each way running between Minneapolis and Milwaukee via Rochester and Madison.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jefferson Lines|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Jefferson Lines}}</ref> In addition, [[Badger Bus]] offers service on Fridays and Sundays during the school year between Madison and Minneapolis via La Crosse.<ref>{{Cite web|title=College Connections|url=https://badgerbus.com/tickets/college-connections/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Badger Bus}}</ref> Both Jefferson Lines and Badger Bus make stops at the [[University of Wisconsin-La Crosse]] Student Union, while Jefferson Lines also stops at the downtown Grand River Station transit hub.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bus to Wisconsin: Wisconsin Bus Stops|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/wisconsin/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Jefferson Lines}}</ref>
[[Jefferson Lines]] serves La Crosse with one daily bus each way running between Minneapolis and Milwaukee via Rochester and Madison.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jefferson Lines|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Jefferson Lines}}</ref> In addition, [[Badger Bus]] offers service on Fridays and Sundays during the school year between Madison and Minneapolis via La Crosse.<ref>{{Cite web|title=College Connections|url=https://badgerbus.com/tickets/college-connections/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Badger Bus}}</ref> Both Jefferson Lines and Badger Bus make stops at the [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse]] Student Union, while Jefferson Lines also stops at the downtown Grand River Station transit hub.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bus to Wisconsin: Wisconsin Bus Stops|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/wisconsin/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Jefferson Lines}}</ref>


==Infrastructure==
===Drinking Water===
===Drinking Water===
La Crosse's tap drinking water, which is raised from a deep underground [[Artesian aquifer]], won the best natural tasting water award in September 2007 in a statewide tasting competition hosted by the Wisconsin Water Association. The city competed against groundwater and surface water utilities from Algoma, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Pell Lake, Shawano, Shawano Lake and Watertown at the annual meeting of the association. La Crosse's drinking water is pumped from deep ground wells to a distribution center and is treated with [[chlorine]] and [[fluoride]]; some wells are also treated with [[polyphosphate]].{{fact|date=November 2022}}
La Crosse's tap drinking water, which is raised from a deep underground [[Artesian aquifer]], won the best natural tasting water award in September 2007 in a statewide tasting competition hosted by the Wisconsin Water Association. The city competed against groundwater and surface water utilities from Algoma, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Pell Lake, Shawano, Shawano Lake and Watertown at the annual meeting of the association. La Crosse's drinking water is pumped from deep ground wells to a distribution center and is treated with [[chlorine]] and [[fluoride]]; some wells are also treated with [[polyphosphate]].{{fact|date=November 2022}}


In recent years, the city discovered [[Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances|PFAS]] in the groundwater on [[French Island, WI]] as a result of fire fighting foam used at the [[La Crosse Regional Airport]]. This has led{{when|date=November 2022}} to the closure of two municipal wells, as well as prevented residents of parts of the Town of [[Campbell, WI]] from safely using their private wells.<ref>{{Cite web|last=OS Group LLC|date=January 21, 2021|title=PFAS Contamination: Background, History & Current Understanding, La Crosse Regional Airport|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4574/637468338935600000|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> Over 500 wells on French Island have been contaminated and the State of [[Wisconsin]] has supplied bottled water to the affected residents.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 11, 2021|title=Tests show PFAS contamination in 500 French Island wells|work=[[WMTV]]|url=https://www.nbc15.com/2021/06/11/tests-show-pfas-contamination-500-french-island-wells/|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref>
In recent years, the city discovered [[Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances|PFAS]] in the groundwater on [[French Island, WI]] as a result of fire fighting foam used at the [[La Crosse Regional Airport]]. This has led{{when|date=November 2022}} to the closure of two municipal wells, as well as prevented residents of parts of the Town of [[Campbell, WI]] from safely using their private wells.<ref>{{Cite web|last=OS Group LLC|date=January 21, 2021|title=PFAS Contamination: Background, History & Current Understanding, La Crosse Regional Airport|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4574/637468338935600000|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=City of La Crosse}}</ref> Over 500 wells on French Island have been contaminated and the State of [[Wisconsin]] has supplied bottled water to the affected residents.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 11, 2021|title=Tests show PFAS contamination in 500 French Island wells|work=[[WMTV]]|url=https://www.nbc15.com/2021/06/11/tests-show-pfas-contamination-500-french-island-wells/|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref>


===Health care===
===Health care===
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of radio stations in Wisconsin by market area#La Crosse|La Crosse area radio stations]]
* [[List of radio stations in Wisconsin by market area#La Crosse|La Crosse area radio stations]]
*[[List of television stations in Wisconsin#La Crosse and area|La Crosse area television stations]]
* [[List of television stations in Wisconsin#La Crosse and area|La Crosse area television stations]]
* [[List of sundown towns in the United States]]
*[[Old Style Beer]]
* [[Old Style Beer]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 03:03, 23 November 2024

"La Crosse" redirects here. Not to be confused with Lacrosse. For other uses, see La Crosse (disambiguation).
La Crosse, Wisconsin
City
Downtown La Crosse
Downtown La Crosse
Official seal of La Crosse, Wisconsin
Seal
Location of La Crosse in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
Location of La Crosse in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
La Crosse is located in Wisconsin
La Crosse
La Crosse
La Crosse is located in the United States
La Crosse
La Crosse
Coordinates: 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W / 43.81333°N 91.23306°W / 43.81333; -91.23306
CountryUnited States
StateWisconsin
CountyLa Crosse
Government
 • TypeMayor-council government
 • MayorMitch Reynolds (D)
Area
[1]
 • City
23.79 sq mi (61.61 km2)
 • Land21.70 sq mi (56.21 km2)
 • Water2.08 sq mi (5.40 km2)
Elevation
669 ft (204 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • City
52,680
 • Estimate 
(2022)[3]
51,380 Decrease
 • RankUS: 763th
WI: 12th
 • Density2,214.38/sq mi (911.34/km2)
 • Urban
98,872 (US: 314th)
 • Metro
139,211 (US: 299th)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (Central)
Zip Code
54601, 54602, 54603
Area code608
FIPS code55-40775[4]
GNIS feature ID1567672[5]
WaterwaysMississippi River, Black River, La Crosse River
Public TransitLa Crosse MTU
SMRT
Amtrak
Websitewww.cityoflacrosse.org Edit this at Wikidata

La Crosse (/ləˈkrɒs/ ⓘ lə-KROSS)[6] is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. Positioned alongside the Mississippi River, La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border.[7] La Crosse's population was 52,680 as of the 2020 census.[2] The city forms the core of the La Crosse–Onalaska metropolitan area, which includes all of La Crosse County and Houston County, Minnesota, with a population of 139,627.[8]

La Crosse's economy serves as a regional educational, medical, manufacturing, and transportation hub for Western Wisconsin producing a gross domestic product (GDP) of $9.7 billion as of 2022.[9] The city is a college town with nearly 20,000 students and is home to the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College. Furthermore, the La Crosse area is home to the headquarters or regional offices of Kwik Trip, Organic Valley, Mayo Clinic, Gundersen Health System, Gensler, La Crosse Technology, City Brewing Company, and Trane. La Crosse County is a top ten tourist destination in the state with $433 million in travel-related spending generated in 2023.[10]

History

[edit]
Artist representation of La Crosse (1867).
Former post office in La Crosse
Pearl Street in Downtown La Crosse in the summer of 1939.

18th century

[edit]

The first Europeans to see the region were French fur traders who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century. 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 from the game with sticks that resembled a bishop's crozier or la crosse in French, which was played by Native Americans there.[11][12]

19th century

[edit]

In 1841, the first white settlement at La Crosse was established when Nathan Myrick, a New York native, moved to the village at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to work in the fur trade. Myrick was disappointed to find that because many fur traders were already well-entrenched there, there were no openings for him in the trade. As a result, he decided to establish a trading post upriver at the then still unsettled site of Prairie La Crosse. In 1841, he built a temporary trading post on Barron Island (now called Pettibone Park), which lies just west of La Crosse's present downtown. The following year, Myrick relocated the post to the mainland prairie, partnering with H. J. B. Miller to run the outfit.[13]

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 few points along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River where a broad plain, ideal for development, existed between the river's bank and the tall bluffs that line the river valley. Because of these advantages, a small village grew around Myrick's trading post in the 1840s.

In 1844, a small Mormon community settled at La Crosse, building several dozen cabins a few miles (kilometers) 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.[14] On June 23, 1850, Father James Lloyd Breck of the Episcopal Church said the first Christian liturgy on top of Grandad Bluff.[15] Today, a monument to that event stands atop the bluff, near the parking lot at a scenic overlook.

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 as a result of promotion of the city in eastern newspapers. By 1855, La Crosse had grown in population to nearly 2,000 residents, leading to its incorporation in 1856. The city grew even more rapidly after 1858 with the completion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee 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.[16] It was a center 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.

20th century

[edit]

Around the turn of the 20th century, the city became a center for education, with three colleges and universities established in the city between 1890 and 1912. Similar to cities across the country, La Crosse saw population stagnation in the latter half of the 20th century as a result of suburbanization. Since 1966, La Crosse has seen its population grow by 10.73%, while its area, miles of sewer, and miles of water mains each grew by more than 50%.[17][18] La Crosse remains the largest city on Wisconsin's western border, and the educational institutions in the city have recently led it toward becoming a regional technology and medical hub.

21st century

[edit]

In 2016, Mayor Tim Kabat and former Mayor John Medinger issued a proclamation apologizing for La Crosse's history as a sundown town that discriminated against African Americans.[19]

Geography

[edit]
Grandad Bluff and the Coulees that form the eastern edge of the city

La Crosse is located on the western border of the midsection of 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. Just upriver from 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 23.79 square miles (61.62 km2), of which, 21.7 square miles (56.20 km2) is land and 2.08 square miles (5.39 km2) is water.[20]

Surrounding the relatively flat prairie valley where La Crosse lies are towering 500-foot (150 m) bluffs, one of the most prominent of which is Grandad Bluff (mentioned in Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain), which has an overlook of the three states region. 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, a French term. As a result, the area around La Crosse is frequently referred to as the "Coulee Region".[21]

Climate

[edit]

La Crosse's location in the United States' Upper Midwest gives the area a temperate, continental climate.[22] The warmest month of the year is July, when the average high temperature is 85.4 °F (29.7 °C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 64.5 °F (18.1 °C). January is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging 27.4 °F (−2.6 °C), with the overnight low temperatures around 10.5 °F (−11.9 °C).[23]

Climate data for La Crosse Regional Airport, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals,[24] extremes 1872–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 57
(14) 		65
(18) 		84
(29) 		93
(34) 		107
(42) 		102
(39) 		108
(42) 		105
(41) 		101
(38) 		93
(34) 		80
(27) 		69
(21) 		108
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 45.8
(7.7) 		50.5
(10.3) 		67.7
(19.8) 		81.7
(27.6) 		89.1
(31.7) 		94.0
(34.4) 		95.2
(35.1) 		93.3
(34.1) 		89.9
(32.2) 		81.5
(27.5) 		64.3
(17.9) 		49.5
(9.7) 		97.3
(36.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 27.4
(−2.6) 		32.5
(0.3) 		45.6
(7.6) 		59.6
(15.3) 		72.0
(22.2) 		81.7
(27.6) 		85.4
(29.7) 		83.2
(28.4) 		75.5
(24.2) 		61.6
(16.4) 		45.8
(7.7) 		32.6
(0.3) 		58.6
(14.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 18.9
(−7.3) 		23.3
(−4.8) 		35.8
(2.1) 		49.0
(9.4) 		61.0
(16.1) 		71.0
(21.7) 		75.0
(23.9) 		72.8
(22.7) 		64.8
(18.2) 		51.7
(10.9) 		37.6
(3.1) 		25.1
(−3.8) 		48.8
(9.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 10.5
(−11.9) 		14.2
(−9.9) 		26.0
(−3.3) 		38.4
(3.6) 		50.1
(10.1) 		60.4
(15.8) 		64.5
(18.1) 		62.3
(16.8) 		54.1
(12.3) 		41.9
(5.5) 		29.5
(−1.4) 		17.6
(−8.0) 		39.1
(3.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −13.8
(−25.4) 		−8.8
(−22.7) 		2.1
(−16.6) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		34.5
(1.4) 		45.7
(7.6) 		52.9
(11.6) 		50.3
(10.2) 		38.1
(3.4) 		26.2
(−3.2) 		12.3
(−10.9) 		−5.9
(−21.1) 		−17.3
(−27.4)
Record low °F (°C) −43
(−42) 		−36
(−38) 		−28
(−33) 		7
(−14) 		26
(−3) 		33
(1) 		44
(7) 		35
(2) 		24
(−4) 		6
(−14) 		−21
(−29) 		−37
(−38) 		−43
(−42)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.25
(32) 		1.19
(30) 		2.04
(52) 		3.75
(95) 		4.33
(110) 		5.08
(129) 		4.23
(107) 		3.90
(99) 		3.63
(92) 		2.49
(63) 		1.85
(47) 		1.49
(38) 		35.23
(895)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 11.8
(30) 		9.7
(25) 		7.3
(19) 		2.9
(7.4) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.3
(0.76) 		3.4
(8.6) 		10.9
(28) 		46.3
(118)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.2 8.5 9.9 12.2 13.3 11.8 10.1 9.4 9.6 9.2 8.9 9.8 122.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 8.6 7.2 4.5 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 3.2 7.5 33.3
Average relative humidity (%) 72.8 72.2 70.6 64.2 65.0 69.5 72.1 75.2 77.2 71.3 75.4 77.3 71.9
Average dew point °F (°C) 7.5
(−13.6) 		12.0
(−11.1) 		23.4
(−4.8) 		34.0
(1.1) 		45.9
(7.7) 		56.7
(13.7) 		62.6
(17.0) 		61.0
(16.1) 		53.1
(11.7) 		39.9
(4.4) 		27.9
(−2.3) 		14.7
(−9.6) 		36.6
(2.5)
Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961–1990)[25][26][27]

Neighborhoods and districts

[edit]
Downtown Historic District

La Crosse has 13 voting districts (wards).[28] Neighborhoods within the city include:

  • Bluffside
  • Washburn
  • Historic Cass & King
  • Powell-Poage-Hamilton[29]
  • Historic downtown
  • Northside (Upper and Lower) and Old Towne North
  • Grandview Emerson
  • Weigent Hogan
  • Hintgen
  • College Park (UW–La Crosse campus district)
  • Springbrook Clayton Johnson
Big blue bridge and historic downtown La Crosse
La Crosse Riverside Park and Downtown La Crosse

Area

[edit]
Area in square miles
Land Area Water Area Total Area Population density
1970[30] n/a n/a 16.84 2,986.10
1980[30] n/a n/a 18.02 2,682.96
2000[31] 20.136 2.024 22.16 2,338.36
2010[31] 20.516 2.021 22.537 2,277.14
2015[31] 20.562 2.042 22.604 n/a
2020[31] 21.703 2.085 23.788 2,214.56
2021[31] 21.703 2.085 23.788 n/a

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18603,860—
18707,785101.7%
188014,50586.3%
189025,00072.4%
190028,89515.6%
191030,4175.3%
192030,4210.0%
193039,61430.2%
194042,7077.8%
195047,53511.3%
196047,258−0.6%
197050,2866.4%
198048,347−3.9%
199051,1405.8%
200051,8181.3%
201051,320−1.0%
202052,6802.7%
2021 (est.)51,380[3]−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[32]
2020 Census[2]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[33] the population was 52,680. The population density was 2,427.3 inhabitants per square mile (937.2/km2). There were 24,221 housing units at an average density of 1,116.0 per square mile (430.9/km2). The population living in college or university student housing was 3,897. The racial makeup of the city was 85.6% White, 4.9% Asian, 2.9% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016–2020, the median income for a household in the city was $46,438, and the median income for a family was $66,928. Male full-time workers had a median income of $43,438 versus $37,215 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $27,398. About 7.9% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.[34] Of the population age 25 and over, 93.9% were high school graduates or higher and 36.5% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[35]

Religion

[edit]
Maria Angelorum Chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

The city has a variety of religious traditions and communities, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodox, Judaism, Unitarian Universalism, and Islam.

La Crosse is the episcopal see for the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman serves as the seat of the Diocese. The city is also home to St. Rose of Viterbo Convent, the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. An independent catholic school district in the city, La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools, is also overseen by the diocese.

Protestant churches in the city include Lutheran, Evangelical, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and independent traditions. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod has five churches in La Crosse: First Lutheran Church,[36] Grace Lutheran Church,[37] Immanuel Lutheran Church,[38] Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church,[39] and St. John's Lutheran Church.[40] La Crosse is also home to two churches affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America; Bethany Church,[41] and Neighborhood City Church.[42] Christ Church of La Crosse, the city's Episcopal church, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, the city's Eastern Orthodox Church, is listed on the city's local register of Historic places.

Other religious groups within the city include: the Congregation Sons of Abraham, a Jewish synagogue; the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, which has held services since 1951;[43] the Islamic Society Othman Bin Afaan; and the Hmong Faith Alliance Church.

Economy

[edit]
Gundersen Health System in La Crosse
Kwik Trip headquarters
Trane building plant 7

La Crosse is the home and current global headquarters of several corporations and organizations, including:

Corporations founded and formerly headquartered in La Crosse include:

Largest employers

[edit]

As of 2012, the 10 largest employers in La Crosse were:[51]

  1. Gundersen Health System
  2. Mayo Clinic Health System (Franciscan Skemp Medical Center)
  3. Trane
  4. Kwik Trip
  5. La Crosse County
  6. School District of La Crosse
  7. University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
  8. Logistics Health Incorporated
  9. City of La Crosse
  10. Western Technical College

Shopping

[edit]
Valley View Mall La Crosse

La Crosse and the surrounding communities form a regional commercial center and shopping hub. In the northeastern region of the city lies the area's largest shopping center, Valley View Mall. The surrounding area includes numerous big-box stores, and many restaurants. Other shopping centers in the La Crosse region include Three Rivers Plaza, Marsh View Center, Shelby Mall, Jackson Plaza, Bridgeview Plaza, and the Village Shopping Center. Downtown La Crosse has experienced a resurgence in recent years, providing shopping, farmers' markets, hotels, restaurants, and specialty shops.

Arts and culture

[edit]

La Crosse has over 30 active arts organizations.[52] The Pump House Regional Arts Center hosts visual arts exhibits throughout the year plus its own series of jazz, folk, and blues performers. The La Crosse Symphony is the city's regional orchestra and the La Crosse Community Theater has won both regional and national acclaim.[citation needed] The city is home to the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, a member of Drum Corps International. Other arts sites include Viterbo University Fine Arts building, UW–La Crosse Art Gallery and Theater, and the La Crosse Center, which hosts national performers.[53][54] Local sculptor Elmer Petersen has created sculptures that are exhibited throughout the downtown area, including La Crosse Players and the Eagle in Riverside Park.[55] It also hosts a yearly St Patrick's Day Parade as well as Irishfest La Crosse in August[56]

The La Crosse Center, a convention center and arena located in downtown La Crosse on the Mississippi River, hosts a variety of sporting events, concerts, exhibits, and shows. The city annually hosts Oktoberfest USA, an Oktoberfest celebration first established in 1961.[57]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Sport

[edit]
Mt. La Crosse on the edge of the south side of La Crosse, in the Town of Shelby

The La Crosse Loggers[58] (baseball) and La Crosse Steam[59] (softball) of the Northwoods League play at their home field at Copeland Park on the north side of La Crosse in the summer months. In 2017, the La Crosse Showtime began play in the American Basketball Association at La Crosse Center. In the past, the La Crosse Center has been home to the Catbirds and the Bobcats of the CBA, as well as the River Rats of the IFL, the Spartans of the IFL and the Night Train of the NIFL. In the winter season, the Coulee Region Chill was a junior team in the North American 3 Hockey League at the Green Island Ice Arena.[60] Additionally, the area's only ski hill, Mt. La Crosse, opened in 1959 and has 19 slopes and trails. The ski hill is home to Damnation!, Mid-America's steepest trail.[61]

The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse's Eagles compete in NCAA Division III. The university's 10,000 seat Veterans Memorial Field for football (turf field) and outdoor timed track opened in 2009 and hosts the WIAA Wisconsin high school outdoor track and field state championships.[62]

The La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, located in nearby West Salem, is the first and only paved NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt stock car racing track in Wisconsin.[63]

Parks

[edit]
A Simpler Time statue and Riverside Park (La Crosse) levee
Pickleball courts at Trane park

Riverside Park is situated on the riverfront of downtown La Crosse near the Blue Bridges. It hosts events such as Riverfest, Fourth of July fireworks, Oktoberfest, and the Rotary Lights. Several steamboats make stops along the river in the park, including the American Queen, La Crosse Queen, and Julia Belle Swain. The park has walking/running trails.[64] The park was previously home to a controversial Statue of Hiawatha. Long standing public debate about whether the statue was offensive or presented a caricature based on stereotypes of Native Americans eventually led to its removal in 2020, nearly 60 years after it was erected.[65][66]

Pettibone Park is located on Baron Island, across the river from Riverside Park and the downtown area. The island was originally part of the state of Minnesota. The land was transferred to Wisconsin and eventually the City of La Crosse following a border dispute that was resolved in 1919.[67] Today the park has a variety of recreational facilities, including a beach and disc golf course.

An extensive marsh, a natural floodplain created by the La Crosse River, divides the city between north and south. The area is protected as an important wildlife habitat and watershed to the Mississippi River. Several biking and walking paths cross through the marshland which is also used for canoeing, fishing and trapping.[68] On the southern end of the marsh lies Myrick Park. The park was named after the city's first European settler: Nathan Myrick. It has many recreational amenities as well as a nature center and environmental education department.[69] Hunting and fishing are very popular all seasons of the year and the Mississippi and other rivers, sloughs, creeks, lakes, the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge and hilltops and valleys with public woodlands are available to sportsmen and families.

Government

[edit]
La Crosse City Hall

The city government employs a weak mayor form of the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected at-large, while the 13 members of the Common Council are elected per aldermanic districts.[70] Mitch Reynolds defeated Vicki Markussen in the 2021 La Crosse Mayoral election, succeeding retiring incumbent Tim Kabat. Kabat served as Mayor from 2013 to 2021.[71]

Both the city and county of La Crosse have voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988.[72] In the 2016 Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton won by 52% of the City of La Crosse. In the 2012 presidential election, Barack Obama won 65% of the city of La Crosse[73] and 58% of La Crosse County.[74] In 2014, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ranked La Crosse as one of Wisconsin's top performing Democratic cities.[75]

In the United States Congress, Republican Derrick Van Orden has represented La Crosse as part of Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district since 2023. The city is almost coterminous with the 95th Wisconsin State Assembly District and is represented by Democrat Jill Billings. Additionally, Democrat Steve Doyle currently represents suburban La Crosse County in the 94th Assembly District. La Crosse is part of the State Senate District 32 and is represented by Democrat Brad Pfaff.

Mayors

[edit]

Source:[76]

  • Thomas Benton Stoddard (1856)
  • Erasmus D. Campbell (1857)
  • David Taylor (1858)
  • James I. Lyndes (D) (1859)
  • John M. Levy (1860)
  • Wilson Colwell (1861)
  • Albert W. Pettibone (1862–1864)
  • William J. Lloyd (1865)
  • John M. Levy (1866–1867)
  • Theodore Rodolf (1868)
  • Charles. L. Colman (1869)
  • Theodore Rodolf (1870)
  • Alexander McMillan (1871)
  • James I. Lyndes (1872)
  • Gysbert Van Steenwyk, Sr. (1873)[77]
  • Gilbert M. Woodward (1874)[77]
  • James J. Hogan (1875–1876)
  • George Edwards (1877)
  • David Law (1878–1879)
  • Joseph Clark (1880)
  • Hiram F. Smiley (1881)
  • David Law (1882–1883)
  • W. A. Roosevelt (1884)
  • D. Frank Powell (1885–1886)
  • David Austin (1887–1889)
  • John Dengler (1889–1891)
  • F. A. Copeland (1891–1893)[77]
  • D. Frank Powell (1893–1897)
  • James McCord (1897–1899)
  • W. A. Anderson (1899–1901)
  • Joseph Boschert (1901–1903)
  • William Torrance (1903–1907)
  • Ori J. Sorenson (1909–1911)[78]
  • W. A. Anderson (1907–1909)
  • Ori J. Sorenson (1909–1911)
  • John Denger (1911–1913)
  • Ori J. Sorenson (1913–1915)
  • Arthur A. Bentley (1915–1923)[79]
  • Joseph J. Verchota (1923–1929)
  • John E. Langdon (1929–1931)
  • Joseph J. Verchota (1931–1935)
  • C. August Boerner (1935–1939)
  • Joseph J. Verchota (1939–1947)
  • Charles A. Beranek (1947–1949)
  • Henry J. Ahrens (1949–1955)[77]
  • Milo Knutson (1955–1965)[80]
  • Warren Loveland (1965–1971)[81]
  • W. Peter Gilbertson (1971–1975)
  • Patrick Zielke (April 20, 1975 – April 15, 1997)[82]
  • John Medinger (April 15, 1997 – April 19, 2005)
  • Mark Johnsrud (April 19, 2005 – April 21, 2009)
  • Mathias Harter (R) (April 21, 2009 – April 16, 2013)
  • Tim Kabat (D) (April 16, 2013 – April 20, 2021)[83]
  • Mitch Reynolds (D) (April 20, 2021–present)[84]

Education

[edit]
UW-La Crosse campus
Viterbo University
Western Technical College
La Crosse campus

The La Crosse area is served by the School District of La Crosse, which as of 2022, has a total enrollment of 6,139 students.[85] As of 2021, the district has 16 separate facilities, providing a total of 20 elementary, middle, high, and charter school programs.[86] In 2021, the school district proposed to consolidate the district's largest high schools, Central High School and Logan High School, into a new facility. This plan was voted down in a district-wide referendum in November 2022.[87]

Catholic private schools in La Crosse include La Crosse Aquinas Catholic Schools, a Roman Catholic school district affiliated with the Diocese of La Crosse, which includes Aquinas High School and Aquinas Middle School.[88] Another Roman Catholic school, the Providence Academy, is independent from the district and has no affiliation with the Diocese.[89]

Lutheran private schools in La Crosse include First Lutheran School, Immanuel Lutheran School, and Mt. Calvary-Grace Lutheran School, which are part of the La Crosse Area Lutheran Schools organization and affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The region's largest Lutheran high school, Luther High School is located in Onalaska, Wisconsin.[90]

La Crosse is the home of three regional colleges and universities. The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse is the region's leading public university. Western Technical College is a public community college located in the city. La Crosse is also home to Viterbo University, a Roman Catholic private institution.[91] The Health Science Center exists as a combined effort of all the La Crosse medical centers, universities, and government agencies with a goal of advancing students in the medical fields.[citation needed]

Media

[edit]

Print

[edit]

La Crosse's largest newspaper is the daily La Crosse Tribune which serves the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa regions. The Racquet is the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse's free weekly paper. Free weekly tabloids include the Foxxy Shopper and the Buyer's Express. Regional magazines, including the Coulee Parenting Connection and the Coulee Region Women, are also produced in the city.

Television

[edit]
Channel Callsign Affiliation Branding Subchannels
(Virtual) Channel Programming
8.1 WKBT
KQEG-CD 		CBS WKBT 8 8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6 		MyNetworkTV
ION
Dabl
QVC
HSN
14.1 W34FC-D CW La Crosse/Eau Claire CW 14.2
14.3
14.4
13.10 		Heroes & Icons
Start TV
MeTV
NBC (WEAU)
19.1 WXOW ABC WXOW 19 19.2
19.3
19.4
19.5 		Decades
This TV
Court TV
Justice Network
25.1 WLAX FOX FOX 25/48 25.2
25.3
25.4 		Antenna TV
Laff
Grit
26.1 WZEO-LD Buzzr
31.1 WHLA PBS PBS Wisconsin 31.2
31.3
31.4 		Wisconsin Channel
Create
PBS Kids

AM radio

[edit]
Radio towers in La Crosse
AM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format
580 AM WKTY Sports
1410 AM WIZM News talk 1410 News/Talk
1490 AM WLCX Eagle 1490 News/Talk
1560 AM WKBH Relevant Radio Catholic

FM radio

[edit]
FM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format
88.1 FM K201BW
(KZSE Translator)		 MPR News Public
88.9 FM WLSU Wisconsin Public Radio Classic
90.3 FM WHLA Wisconsin Public Radio Public
91.1 FM KXLC Minnesota Public Radio Public
91.9 FM K220EP
(KFSI Translator)		 KFSI 92.9 Christian
91.9 FM WDRT Driftless Community Radio Community
92.3 FM K222AG
(WIZM-AM Translator)		 News talk 1410 News/Talk
93.3 FM WIZM Z93.3 Top 40/CHR
93.7 FM K229BH
(WWIB Translator)		 103.7 WWIB Christian
94.1 FM W231DL
(WKBH-AM Translator)		 Relevant Radio Catholic
94.5 FM WTMB Classic Rock 94.5 Classic rock
94.7 FM KCLH Classic Hits 94.7 Classic Hits
95.7 FM WRQT 95.7 The Rock Active Rock
96.1 FM WLXR Mix 96.1 Hot AC
96.7 FM K244FM
(WKTY-AM Translator)		 Sports
97.1 FM WCOW Cow 97.1 Country Country
97.9 FM K250AZ Magic 97.9 Adult Contemporary
98.9 FM WVCX VCY America Christian
99.3 FM KWMN Winona Sports Network Sports
99.7 FM WWIS The Star Classic Country
100.1 FM WLCW K-Love Christian Contemporary
100.5 FM KDHK Hawk Rawk Rock
101.1 FM KRIV 101.1 The River Classic Hits
101.9 FM K270AG
(WFBZ Translator)		 105.5 ESPN Sports
102.7 FM WKBH-FM 102.7 WKBH Classic Rock; Classic Hits
103.5 FM KNEI Bluff Country Country
104.5 FM WAXX Today's WAXX 104.5 Country
104.9 FM WEQL Prayz Network Christian Contemporary
105.5 FM WFBZ 105.5 ESPN Sports
105.9 FM WKPO KPO-FM Adult Hits
106.3 FM WQCC Kicks 106.3 Country
106.7 FM W294CU
(WIZM-AM Translator)		 News talk 1410 News/Talk
107.1 FM W296EH
(WKBH-FM Translator)		 Alt 107.1 Alternative rock
107.7 FM W299AC
(KQYB Translator)		 KQ98 Country

Transport

[edit]

Airport

[edit]
La Crosse Airport

The La Crosse Regional Airport, (KLSE) located on French Island, provides direct scheduled passenger service to Chicago through American Airlines regional carrier Air Wisconsin. Sun Country and Xtra Airways provide charter service to Laughlin, Elko, Nevada, and other destinations. The airport also serves general aviation for the La Crosse region.[92]

Roads

[edit]

The city is served by several major highways and Interstate, including Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 53, U.S. Highway 61, Wisconsin State Highway 35, Wisconsin State Highway 16, and Wisconsin State Highway 33.[citation needed]

The Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Cass St. bridge and the newer Cameron Street bridge (photo with blue arch) both connect downtown La Crosse with La Crescent, Minnesota. These two bridges cross the Mississippi River, as does the Interstate 90 bridge located just northwest of La Crosse, connecting Wisconsin and Minnesota.[citation needed]

Walking and Cycling

[edit]
Cass St. and Cameron Ave. Bridges, which both cross the Mississippi River, from Riverside Park in Downtown La Crosse.

In 2012, the City of La Crosse was the first city in Wisconsin to pass a Green Complete Streets ordinance. This ordinance requires that when roads are reconstructed the needs of stormwater management and the safety of bicycles and pedestrians are taken into account in the new design. The same year, the city passed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to guide improvements to the transportation network for those walking or cycling in the city.[93]

By 2018, La Crosse had 7.7 miles (12.4 km) of on-street bike lanes, 17.1 miles (27.5 km) of paved bike paths, and 12 miles (19 km) of unpaved paths.[94] As of 2021, however, La Crosse had no protected bike lanes, while bike infrastructure has generally gone unmaintained[clarification needed] through the winter months.[citation needed]

A new bikeshare system debuted in downtown La Crosse in April 2021 through a partnership of La Crosse Neighborhoods, Inc and Koloni, an Iowa based bikeshare company. It is hoped that this service will be expanded across the city in the near future. The system has grown each year from 8 bikeshare stations and 40 bikes available for use in 2021, to 10 stations and 50 bikes in 2022 and to 15 stations and 75 bikes in 2023.[95][96]

The interstate Mississippi River Trail passes through La Crosse. However, the trail does not follow a dedicated multi-use path. The La Crosse River Trail and the Great River State Trail pass through the northern edge of the city. These trails combine to form one continuous trail from Trempealeau to Reedsburg. They are rail trails built on the former roadbed of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway.[citation needed]

Public Transit

[edit]

Main Articles: La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility, Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit

A La Crosse MTU Bus (April 2020).

Public transit in La Crosse began with the opening of a horse-drawn streetcar line in 1878. Over time, more streetcar lines were added, and by 1893, all streetcars had been electrified. Beginning in the early 20th century, however, increasing car ownership led to a decline of the privately run streetcar system. As a result, buses began to replace streetcars throughout the city. By November 1945, the last streetcar line closed. The City of La Crosse took over operations of the buses in the 1970s from the Mississippi Valley Public Service Company, as the buses could no longer be operated profitably.[citation needed]

In 1945, in the first timetable after streetcar service had ended, there were four bus routes. The earliest bus left at 5:40 am and the last bus returned at 1:00 am. Buses ran at a 10 to 15-minute headway throughout the day. In total, the buses provided 1519.95 hours of service per week. Today, in 2021, the MTU provides only 1141.6 hours of service per week, a decline of 24.89%.[citation needed]

The City of La Crosse's MTU bus service with routes reaching out to the suburbs served over one million users in 2007.[97] As of 2021, the MTU operates 11 routes with the earliest buses beginning their routes at 5:12 am and running until 10:40 pm at the latest.[98]

In addition to the MTU, a regional bus service, Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit, provides service to Prairie du Chien, Viroqua, Tomah, and points in-between. The service has four routes, which only run on weekdays.[99]

Waterways

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On the Mississippi River, cargo is transported to and from this area to St Paul and St Louis, using towboats, primarily moving dry bulk cargo barges for coal, grain, and other low-value bulk goods.[citation needed]

Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River is located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) upstream from Downtown La Crosse.[citation needed]

Rail transport

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Amtrak station in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
La Crosse BNSF rail yard
La Crosse BNSF rail yard

The first rail line to reach La Crosse arrived in 1858 from Milwaukee constructed by the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad. This later became the main line of the Milwaukee Road. After the Milwaukee Road went bankrupt it became part of the Soo Line Railroad in 1985 and later came under the control of Canadian Pacific Railway. This line provides the track on which the La Crosse Amtrak station is located, served daily by the Empire Builder between Chicago and Seattle or Portland. In May 2024, the station added a daily round-trip on the new Borealis train between Chicago and St. Paul.[100]

Railroad tracks owned by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) pass through La Crosse providing freight service. These were originally built by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1886 to connect Chicago to the Twin Cities following the east bank of the Mississippi River. This line provided passenger service as well up until May 1, 1971, when Amtrak took over intercity passenger rail operations.[citation needed]

Intercity Bus

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Jefferson Lines serves La Crosse with one daily bus each way running between Minneapolis and Milwaukee via Rochester and Madison.[101] In addition, Badger Bus offers service on Fridays and Sundays during the school year between Madison and Minneapolis via La Crosse.[102] Both Jefferson Lines and Badger Bus make stops at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Student Union, while Jefferson Lines also stops at the downtown Grand River Station transit hub.[103]

Infrastructure

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Drinking Water

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La Crosse's tap drinking water, which is raised from a deep underground Artesian aquifer, won the best natural tasting water award in September 2007 in a statewide tasting competition hosted by the Wisconsin Water Association. The city competed against groundwater and surface water utilities from Algoma, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Pell Lake, Shawano, Shawano Lake and Watertown at the annual meeting of the association. La Crosse's drinking water is pumped from deep ground wells to a distribution center and is treated with chlorine and fluoride; some wells are also treated with polyphosphate.[citation needed]

In recent years, the city discovered PFAS in the groundwater on French Island, WI as a result of fire fighting foam used at the La Crosse Regional Airport. This has led[when?] to the closure of two municipal wells, as well as prevented residents of parts of the Town of Campbell, WI from safely using their private wells.[104] Over 500 wells on French Island have been contaminated and the State of Wisconsin has supplied bottled water to the affected residents.[105]

Health care

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Two major regional health care facilities are located in La Crosse: Gundersen Health System and the Franciscan Skemp Medical Center.[citation needed]

Gundersen Health System is a nationally ranked health care system located in La Crosse that is also an ACS nationally certified Level II Trauma Center. It is the primary hospital associated with the Gundersen Clinic medical group and the location of the Western campus for the University of Wisconsin Medical School. With its main campus located in La Crosse, the system also manages 23 locations throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa with nearly 6,000 employees.[106][107] In 2014, Gundersen Health received the Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals™ designation, placing the system among the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide.[108]

The Franciscan Skemp Medical Center is an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic. Franciscan Skemp, which was the first western Wisconsin hospital to open its doors in 1883 as St. Francis Hospital, was started by the Catholic Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, who still are associated with the medical center. In 1995, Franciscan Skemp merged with Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Rochester, Minnesota, located 60 miles away. A new trauma and emergency department, helicopter pad, and surgery wing recently opened in 2007.[109]

The Health Science Center, located on the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus, is a combined effort of both medical centers, UW–La Crosse, Viterbo University, Western College, the School District of La Crosse, and various government educational groups. The purpose was to prepare and train students for advancement in the medical field.[110]

Notable people

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Main article: List of people from La Crosse

Sister cities

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La Crosse has sister city relationships with seven foreign towns and cities:[111]

See also

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References

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Bibliography

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  • Crocker, Leslie F. Places and Spaces: A Century of Public Buildings, Bridges and Parks in La Crosse, Wisconsin. La Crosse, Wis. 2012.
  • Marcou, David J. (ed.) Spirit of La Crosse: A Grassroots History. La Crosse, Wis.: Western Wisconsin Technical College, 2000.
  • Morser, Eric J. Hinterland Dreams: The Political Economy of a Midwestern City. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011.
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