Q: When I was a youngster during the early 1960s, I remember going to a pool hall called The Men’s Club that was located somewhere near Fourth and Jay streets in downtown La Crosse. Is there any history of this pool hall? I do recall it having delicious braunsweiger (a smoked liver sausage) sandwiches and chocolate malts.

A: While unable to find newspaper references to the Men’s Club, the La Crosse Public Library archives tracked the listings for the Men’s Club through La Crosse city directories. It was always listed under pool halls/ billiard parlors. From 1963 to 1966, it was located at 218 S. Third St. The proprietors in 1965 were Russell Sackmaster and Wm. Killeen, in 1966 only Wm. Killeen. There was no listing in the 1967 city directory, and William Killeen died Dec. 3, 1967, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Perhaps the pool hall moved that year, as the address is slightly different after that year.
From 1967 to 1972, it was at 220 S. Third St. Helen R. Killeen was the proprietor in 1968. In 1970, she was listed as the widow of Wm F., still a proprietor, and Fred T. Wakeen and Leonard Taylor were also listed. In 1972, Wakeen and Taylor were the only listed proprietors.

In cooperation with the La Crosse Public Library, the Tribune invites readers to call or e-mail questions of local interest. We’ll try to find the answers and publish them. The phone number for Ask the Trib is (608) 791-8450. Send questions by e-mail to news@lacrossetribune.com.

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