The La Crosse Public Library will receive an award from the governor’s office for its ongoing Dark La Crosse Stories audio and video podcast series.
The Governor’s Archives Award for Archival Innovation is awarded by the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board and the Wisconsin Historical Society to projects that push the boundaries in preserving the state’s history.
Dark La Crosse Stories was recognized for its use of historical records and primary sources while telling compelling stories at the same time. Much of the archival information and research has been based on past La Crosse Tribune coverage.
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The governor’s award will be presented at a recognition ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8, at the Capella Performing Arts Center.
The La Crosse Public Library will also debut a new episode of Dark La Crosse Stories at the event.
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The full library of Dark La Crosse Stories can be found on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Episodes specifically noted in the award include “The Greenfield Burning,” “Drowned and Missing,” “The Invasion,” “The Last Night of the Old Wagon Bridge,” “1875 Circus Storm” and “The Funeral Home Fight.”
Dark La Crosse Stories: Series chronicles city’s nefarious history
The La Crosse Public Library Archives partners with the La Crosse Tribune to present Dark La Crosse Stories, the latest iteration of Dark La Crosse content. Complete with the original music, historic photographs and newspaper headlines featured in the stage production, each episode of Dark La Crosse Stories also features new bonus material from the research team.
In 2013, the La Crosse Public Library Archives developed and began offering a downtown walking tour tied to “darker” or seedier themed happenings in downtown La Crosse from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, presented in an entertaining way.
The overwhelming success of the walking tour led to a partnership with Explore La Crosse to offer a trolley tour of largely the same content with one additional story. These continue to be offered in the summer and tickets can be reserved through Explore La Crosse.
An outgrowth of the walking tour, the “Dark La Crosse Show” is an annual stage production that offers audiences new stories each fall and is a fundraiser for the library. Attendees are immersed in original music based on historical context and mood, historical photographs and newspaper clippings projected on a large screen, and the geographical reach of the stories is expanded beyond the downtown core.
Learn more about the voices and researchers behind the stories here.
Advisory: Content not recommended for children 15 and younger.
To subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, click here.
To subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, click here.
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 58: The Woman in Brown Chloe Hilles Oct 17, 2023
In December 1907, in the Olmsted County Courthouse in Rochester, a beautiful, young and popular socialite woman was being held facing six cou…
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 57: The Invasion Chloe Hilles Oct 3, 2023
What happens when archival records leave out crucial histories of those who persecuted by the writers of history?
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 56: The Omaha Kidnapper Chloe Hilles Sep 19, 2023
A notorious criminal ends up in the La Crosse County jail in 1913 after a drunken night out. The man was known for kidnapping high profile ind…
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 55: Homefront Hero Chloe Hilles Sep 5, 2023
Did the end of World War II usher in a crime wave in the United States? In La Crosse County, men and women defended their property and livelih…
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 54: $2700 City Attorney Chloe Hilles Aug 22, 2023
The July 11th, 1935, edition of The Hokah Chief landed on doorsteps and news stands with a bold headline: “A Double Life Calls for a $2,700 Sa…
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 53: Drowned and Missing Chloe Hilles Aug 8, 2023
On a Sunday in 1902, 72-year-old Charles Segelke and his 16-year-old grandson, Arthur Beust, went out on the Mississippi River with seven othe…
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Editor’s Pick Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 52: Jimmie’s Big 38 Chloe Hilles Jul 25, 2023
A second chance at love seemed promising for Mrs. Hope McEldowney of West Salem, a widow of 44 years of age in 1913.
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Editor’s Pick Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 51: The Greenfield Burning Chloe Hilles Jul 11, 2023
A hardworking brother, born the 11th son of a farming family, noted for his good character and straightforward life by family and neighbors al…
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Web Only Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 50: A Celebrated Recluse II Olivia Herken Sep 28, 2021
A lot of rumors swirled around the “celebrated recluse” of La Crosse, Mary Ann Parker — but was there any truth that she murdered her husband?
La Crosse Local News Breaking Web Only Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 49: A Celebrated Recluse I Olivia Herken Sep 21, 2021
Mary Ann Parker was a strange woman who had been holed up in her house ever since her husband died. Were the rumors true about her?
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 48: Red Light District Sep 7, 2021
You may visit this now family-friendly block to get ice cream and sweets, but it has a sordid history in La Crosse.
News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 47: The Big Fellow Aug 24, 2021
One of the biggest shadows to loom in the La Crosse Police Department.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 46: The Boss Bigamist Aug 10, 2021
“The boss bigamist of the United States belongs to La Crosse.”
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 45: La Crosse’s Drug Problem Jul 27, 2021
The issues of drugs and addiction are nothing new to the La Crosse community.
La Crosse Local News Web Only Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 44: Specters in the Night Jul 13, 2021
What’s the scariest La Crosse ghost story you’ve ever heard? This latest Dark La Crosse Stories episode retells some of the city’s most notorious.
Featured Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 43: Officer Down! Jun 30, 2021
“Halt” would be the last word officer Perry Gates ever said.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 42: The Great Fire of 1886 Feb 18, 2023
It started with a spark.
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 41: Death on the Tracks Jun 1, 2021
Four members of the Goose Green Gang cause trouble on the area segment of the Milwaukee Road.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 40: Lucky Lindy and the Widow Murder May 18, 2021
In 1927, famous aviator Charles Lindbergh flew over the city of La Crosse, dropping a note — but it wasn’t the top headline of the day.
History Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 39: Love at First Shot May 4, 2021
A young La Crosse woman’s wedding day was going perfectly — until an ex decided to take a “shot” at stopping the big day.
La Crosse Local News Web Only Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 38: Tragedy on the Docks Apr 20, 2021
One of La Crosse’s most known tragedies, told through the voice of someone who was onboard the ship.
News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 37: Cameron House Bear and Other Stories Apr 6, 2021
A $133 bank robbery, a bear’s layover, a courtroom brawl and more interesting vignettes from La Crosse’s history.
News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 36: The Mistress Mar 23, 2021
The latest, gruesome episode of Dark La Crosse tells the story of one affair between a La Crosse couple that came to an end with a hammer on Dead Man’s Curve.
News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 35: The Ballad of Brinkman Ridge Part 2 Updated Mar 16, 2021
Dark La Crosse Stories are back! Last week we brought you part one of a mystery about one family on Brinkman Ridge — and part two is here, with just as many twists and turns.
News Alert Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 34: The Ballad of Brinkman Ridge Part 1 Mar 9, 2021
Dark La Crosse Stories are back! We’re kicking off a slew of new episodes with this first part of a two-part story, retelling a mystery full of twists and turns from one family on Brinkman Ridge.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 33: The Bodega Ghost Oct 31, 2022
Here’s why many people believe this longtime building in downtown La Crosse is haunted.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 32: The Pearl Button Murder May 6, 2020
A paycheck dispute leads to foreman being shot to death in 1910.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 31: George Brooks’ bloodhounds had a nose for solving crimes Apr 21, 2020
Dogs trained by a soda jerk at the Bodega Lunch Club were valuable in a variety of criminal and missing persons investigations.
Column Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 30: The nine husbands of Emma Cameron Apr 7, 2020
She was known to some as the Toast of the Northwest and to others as a femme fatale.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 29: 1927 jail break had tragic consequences Mar 25, 2020
A friendly fire incident in La Crosse turned deadly.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 28: La Crosse’s Darkest Hour Part 2 Mar 17, 2020
This is the second in a two-part story that describes how a political celebration turned ugly in 1884. Click here to listen to Part 1.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 27: La Crosse’s Darkest Hour Part 1 Mar 10, 2020
This is the first in a two-part story that describes how a political celebration turned ugly in 1884. The second part will be released March 17.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 26: Woman on trial for performing an abortion in 1912 Feb 26, 2020
Naomi Crocker, who had a long history with the court system in the La Crosse area, was charged with performing an illegal operation.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 25: Long ago newspaper editor accused of treason Feb 12, 2020
La Crosse newspaper man Marcus ‘Brick’ Pomeroy took a controversial position during the Civil War.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 24: 1859 scuffle over property rights turned deadly Jan 28, 2020
The Dark La Crosse Stories series is made possible by a partnership between the La Crosse Public Library and the La Crosse Tribune.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 23: The secret killer of officer Donndelinger Jan 15, 2020
The story of the 1937 murder of a beloved La Crosse police officer.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 22: Dr. Frank Powell was city’s greatest showman Jan 1, 2020
The sharp-shooting physician and politician, who called himself White Beaver, made his fortune selling cough syrup and his fame through dime-s…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 21: Death of woman of the night was murder most foul Dec 11, 2019
The story of the 1888 overdose of Annie Daniel and the local doctor who was responsible for her death.
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 20: The Mystery of Dr. McLoone Nov 27, 2019
The Dark La Crosse Stories series is made possible by a partnership between the La Crosse Public Library and the La Crosse Tribune.
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 19: 1940 Armistice Day storm hits La Crosse area Nov 11, 2022
On the 19th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library tells the stories of the deadly storm that hi…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 18: The Black Maria and other stories Oct 29, 2019
On the 18th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library breaks the tension with a few short vignettes…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 17: The Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley Oct 16, 2019
On the 17th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library explores the 1953 disappearance of a local te…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 16: La Crosse police detective had a rough-and-tumble career Oct 2, 2019
On the 16th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library tells the story of one of the city’s first an…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 15: Murder in Mormon Coulee Sep 17, 2019
On the 15th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library uncovers a sordid tale of two pioneers, the e…
La Crosse Local News Top Story Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 14: Murder on the Mississippi River Jan 4, 2023
On the 14th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library dives deep into the history of the Black and …
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 13: What’s the connection between a long-ago South Side counterfeiter and the current mayor? Aug 20, 2019
On the 13th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, we explore a tenuous link between the city’s current mayor, Tim Kabat, and a counterfeiter who …
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 12: Soldier on the run after stabbing on Fifth Avenue in La Crosse Aug 7, 2019
On the 12th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library becomes embedded in the past with a story abo…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 11: Frankie La Salle talks about city’s Red Light District Jul 23, 2019
On the 11th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library tells the stories of Frankie La Salle, a vete…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 10: The Pit on French Island Jul 10, 2019
On the 10th episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library digs deep into a tale of a medical anomaly, d…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 9: A Close Shave Jun 25, 2019
On the ninth episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library unearths the city’s connection to a notoriou…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 8: The Enticer Jun 12, 2019
On the eighth episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library takes a look at a #metoo worthy story invol…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 7: Unrequited Love May 28, 2019
On the seventh episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library explores heartbreak and suicide in the lat…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 6: Prohibition in La Crosse May 15, 2019
On the sixth episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library take a deep dive into old Tribune clippings …
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 5: The Railway Ghost May 1, 2019
On the fifth episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library travels back in time to revisit a bone chill…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 4: Sensational trial Apr 16, 2019
On the fourth episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library travels back in time to revisit a stabbing …
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 3: North Side Body Snatchers Apr 3, 2019
On the third episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the La Crosse Public Library archives team weaves a horrid true tale of grave robbing, mutilat…
La Crosse Local News Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 2: Jealousy and Revenge Mar 20, 2019
For the second episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archive team at the La Crosse Public Library travels back to 1932 to tell the story of o…
La Crosse Local News Featured Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 1: Jailbreak! Mar 5, 2019
For the inaugural episode of Dark La Crosse Stories, the archives team at the La Crosse Public Library travels back in time to revisit a jailb…
La Crosse Local News The voices behind Dark La Crosse Stories Jul 7, 2023
Here are the people who bring the stories to life.
La Crosse Local News Alert Top Story Editor’s Pick Dark La Crosse Stories series returns Tuesday with 10 new episodes Chloe Hilles Jul 7, 2023
New episodes of Dark La Crosse Stories will recount stories from the darker, seedier side of La Crosse history, straight from the public libra…
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