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Lots of people want to know about local history, which is why the staff of the La Crosse Public Library's Archives and Local History room is researching answers to an increasing number of questions from the public.
The staff received 13,615 questions in 2003, up 27 from 13,588 in 2002. The number of questions received has been growing over the years as people become more aware of the room and as its collections increase, library archivist Anita Doering said.
Of the questions received in 2003, 10,498 were received in person from visitors to the Archives and Local History room, 1,816 were received by telephone, 645 by letter and 656 by e-mail.
An estimated 3,822 people visited the room last year, 236 fewer than the previous year, but the number of questions received by telephone, letter and e-mail continued to grow.
"Local information, whether it be historical or current" is one of the most common reasons people go to or call the room, Doering said. For example, someone recently asked about the history of a road in Onalaska.
"In the spring and summer, we start to see an influx of traveling genealogists," Doering said. "We see more and more baby boomers with time to do genealogy research." The room has lots of genealogy records, such as microfilm copies of federal census records from 1836 through 1930 for Wisconsin as well as 1850 through 1930 for Houston County, Minn.
Students often visit the room, looking for local information for history papers. So do people doing research for speeches they're about to give, and people seeking information about local companies they're thinking of working for.
Researchers working on environmental impact statements often visit the room, checking on the use of a particular piece of property over time.
"And people researching the history of their house is a popular thing," Doering said. They might check who lived there, according to old city directories; check old property tax records or check records on when a plumber obtained a water tap permit for the property.
Many old city of La Crosse records are kept at the archives.
The archives collection includes public and private records and papers created by local government agencies, businesses, organizations and individuals, mainly involving the La Crosse area. Other collections include published materials, newspaper clipping files and maps.
Two of the room's newest projects can be viewed on its Web site (www.lacrosse library.org/archives) and were completed last year.
One is "History Repeats Itself," which received an award from the Wisconsin Library Association. It's a compilation of reproductions of La Crosse Tribune articles, in 10 subject areas of enduring interest to the community — such as the 1953 disappearance of baby sitter Evelyn Hartley and the 10 Commandments monument controversy.
The newest is "Curb Appeal," a project of the library and the city of La Crosse Planning Department to create a historic look at intersections in the city. Doering said people can see pictures showing how 15 intersections looked in 1970, and how the same intersection looked in 2003. "Curb Appeal" has been on line since late October.
Doering and associate archivist Bill Petersen are the two full-time employees at the Archives and Local History room, which has three part-time assistants.
Steve Cahalan can be reached at (608) 791-8229 or scahalan@lacrossetribune.com.
