:La Crosse, Wisconsin

File:LaCrosseWI 1867.jpg

File:THREE QUARTER VIEW OF SOUTH AND WEST ELEVATIONS - U. S. Courthouse and Post Office, Fourth and State Streets, La Crosse, La Crosse County, WI HABS WIS,32-LACR,1-2.tif

File:3rd Pearl La Crosse Wisconsin LOC fsa.8a11061.jpg

The first Europeans to see the region were French fur traders who traveled the Mississippi River in the late 17th century.{{fact|date=January 2025}} 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.{{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 }}{{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}}

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.[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}}

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.{{Cite web|date=January 2011|title=Mormons in Wisconsin|url=http://www.strangite.org/Wisconsin.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113081132/http://www.strangite.org/Wisconsin.htm|archive-date=January 13, 2013|website=Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints}} On June 23, 1850, Father James Lloyd Breck of the Episcopal Church said the first Christian liturgy on top of Grandad Bluff.{{cite book|url=http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/jlbreck/letters/01.html|editor=Charles Breck|title=The Life of the Reverend James Lloyd Breck, D.D.|location=New York|publisher=E. & J. B. Young|year=1883}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://visitbluffcountry.com/wisconsin/la-crosse/|title=La Crosse|website=visitbluffcountry.com|language=en-US|access-date=November 6, 2018}} 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.

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%.{{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}}{{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}} 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.

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.{{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 Loewen at La Crosse City Hall. Loewen was invited by the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and the city's Human Rights Commission.}}

File:Grand Dad Bluff 180 pano aerial.jpg 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 {{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.{{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}}

Surrounding the relatively flat prairie valley where La Crosse lies are towering {{convert|500|ft|adj=on}} 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".{{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}}

La Crosse's location in the United States' Upper Midwest gives the area a hot-summer humid continental climate (Koppen Dfa).{{cite web|year=2023|title=Wisconsin State Climatology Office|url=https://climatology.nelson.wisc.edu/|access-date=November 1, 2023|publisher=University of Wisconsin}} The warmest month of the year is July, when the average high temperature is {{convert|85.4|°F|1}}, with overnight low temperatures averaging {{convert|64.5|°F|1}}. January is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging {{convert|27.4|°F|1}}, with the overnight low temperatures around {{convert|10.5|°F|1}}.{{cite web|title=Monthly Averages for La Crosse, WI|publisher=University of Wisconsin|year=2023|url=https://climatology.nelson.wisc.edu/first-order-station-climate-data/la-crosse-climate/|access-date=November 1, 2023}}

{{Weather box|location = La Crosse Regional Airport, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals,Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020. extremes 1872–present)

|single line = Y

|collapsed =

|Jan record high F = 58

|Feb record high F = 69

|Mar record high F = 86

|Apr record high F = 93

|May record high F = 107

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 108

|Aug record high F = 105

|Sep record high F = 101

|Oct record high F = 93

|Nov record high F = 80

|Dec record high F = 69

|year record high F = 108

|Jan avg record high F = 45.8

|Feb avg record high F = 50.5

|Mar avg record high F = 67.7

|Apr avg record high F = 81.7

|May avg record high F = 89.1

|Jun avg record high F = 94.0

|Jul avg record high F = 95.2

|Aug avg record high F = 93.3

|Sep avg record high F = 89.9

|Oct avg record high F = 81.5

|Nov avg record high F = 64.3

|Dec avg record high F = 49.5

|year avg record high F = 97.3

|Jan high F = 27.4

|Feb high F = 32.5

|Mar high F = 45.6

|Apr high F = 59.6

|May high F = 72.0

|Jun high F = 81.7

|Jul high F = 85.4

|Aug high F = 83.2

|Sep high F = 75.5

|Oct high F = 61.6

|Nov high F = 45.8

|Dec high F = 32.6

|year high F = 58.6

|Jan mean F = 18.9

|Feb mean F = 23.3

|Mar mean F = 35.8

|Apr mean F = 49.0

|May mean F = 61.0

|Jun mean F = 71.0

|Jul mean F = 75.0

|Aug mean F = 72.8

|Sep mean F = 64.8

|Oct mean F = 51.7

|Nov mean F = 37.6

|Dec mean F = 25.1

|year mean F = 48.8

|Jan low F = 10.5

|Feb low F = 14.2

|Mar low F = 26.0

|Apr low F = 38.4

|May low F = 50.1

|Jun low F = 60.4

|Jul low F = 64.5

|Aug low F = 62.3

|Sep low F = 54.1

|Oct low F = 41.9

|Nov low F = 29.5

|Dec low F = 17.6

|year low F = 39.1

|Jan avg record low F = −13.8

|Feb avg record low F = −8.8

|Mar avg record low F = 2.1

|Apr avg record low F = 22.7

|May avg record low F = 34.5

|Jun avg record low F = 45.7

|Jul avg record low F = 52.9

|Aug avg record low F = 50.3

|Sep avg record low F = 38.1

|Oct avg record low F = 26.2

|Nov avg record low F = 12.3

|Dec avg record low F = -5.9

|year avg record low F = −17.3

|Jan record low F = −43

|Feb record low F = −36

|Mar record low F = −28

|Apr record low F = 7

|May record low F = 26

|Jun record low F = 33

|Jul record low F = 44

|Aug record low F = 35

|Sep record low F = 24

|Oct record low F = 6

|Nov record low F = −21

|Dec record low F = −37

|year record low F = -43

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.25

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.19

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.04

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.75

|May precipitation inch = 4.33

|Jun precipitation inch = 5.08

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.23

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.90

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.63

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.49

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.85

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.49

|year precipitation inch = 35.23

|Jan snow inch = 11.8

|Feb snow inch = 9.7

|Mar snow inch = 7.3

|Apr snow inch = 2.9

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.3

|Nov snow inch = 3.4

|Dec snow inch = 10.9

|year snow inch = 46.3

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.2

|Feb precipitation days = 8.5

|Mar precipitation days = 9.9

|Apr precipitation days = 12.2

|May precipitation days = 13.3

|Jun precipitation days = 11.8

|Jul precipitation days = 10.1

|Aug precipitation days = 9.4

|Sep precipitation days = 9.6

|Oct precipitation days = 9.2

|Nov precipitation days = 8.9

|Dec precipitation days = 9.8

|year precipitation days = 122.9

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 8.6

|Feb snow days = 7.2

|Mar snow days = 4.5

|Apr snow days = 2.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.3

|Nov snow days = 3.2

|Dec snow days = 7.5

|year snow days = 33.3

|Jan humidity = 72.8

|Feb humidity = 72.2

|Mar humidity = 70.6

|Apr humidity = 64.2

|May humidity = 65.0

|Jun humidity = 69.5

|Jul humidity = 72.1

|Aug humidity = 75.2

|Sep humidity = 77.2

|Oct humidity = 71.3

|Nov humidity = 75.4

|Dec humidity = 77.3

|year humidity =

|Jan dew point C = −13.6

|Feb dew point C = −11.1

|Mar dew point C = −4.8

|Apr dew point C = 1.1

|May dew point C = 7.7

|Jun dew point C = 13.7

|Jul dew point C = 17.0

|Aug dew point C = 16.1

|Sep dew point C = 11.7

|Oct dew point C = 4.4

|Nov dew point C = −2.3

|Dec dew point C = −9.6

|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961–1990)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=arx

|title = NowData: NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = June 14, 2021

}}

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014920&format=pdf

|title = Station: La Crosse Muni AP, WI

|work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = June 14, 2021

}}

{{cite web

|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP3/72643.TXT

|title = La Crosse/Municipal AP, WI Climate Normals 1961–1990

|access-date = September 4, 2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

}}

}}

File:La Crosse Commercial Historic District.jpg]]

La Crosse has 13 voting districts (wards).{{Cite web|title=Voting Districts|url=http://cityoflacrosse.org/DocumentView.asp?DID=182%5B%5D|website=City of La Crosse}} Neighborhoods within the city include:

• Bluffside
• Washburn
• Historic Cass & King
• Powell-Poage-Hamilton{{cite web|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/planning/neighborhoods/powell-poage-hamilton|title=Powell-Poage-Hamilton Neighborhood – La Crosse, WI|publisher=City of La Crosse|access-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093001/https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/planning/neighborhoods/powell-poage-hamilton|archive-date=January 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}
• 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

{{wide image|La Crosse panoramic aerial.jpg|900px|La Crosse Riverside Park and Downtown La Crosse

|alt=Big blue bridge and historic downtown La Crosse}}

{{US Census population

|1860= 3860

|1870= 7785

|1880= 14505

|1890= 25000

|1900= 28895

|1910= 30417

|1920= 30421

|1930= 39614

|1940= 42707

|1950= 47535

|1960= 47258

|1970= 50286

|1980= 48347

|1990= 51140

|2000= 51818

|2010= 51320

|2020= 52680

|estyear=2021

|estimate=51380

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html|date=May 29, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 30, 2023}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 11, 2013}}
2020 Census

}}

As of the census of 2020,{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: La Crosse city, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5540775&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29|website=data.census.gov|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=August 3, 2022}} the population was 52,680. The population density was {{convert|2427.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 24,221 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1116.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. 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.{{cite web|title=Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: La Crosse city, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5540775&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP03|website=data.census.gov|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 10, 2022}} 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.{{cite web|title=Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: La Crosse city, Wisconsin|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5540775&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP02|website=data.census.gov|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 10, 2022}}

{{see|Hmong in Wisconsin}}

Per the 2022 American Community Survey five-year estimates, the Hmong population was 1,435 comprising approximately 60% of the city's Asian population.{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B02018?q=B02018&g=160XX00US5540775|title=B02018 Total Asian Alone or in Any Combination Population – 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates – La Crosse, Wisconsin|date=July 1, 2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 17, 2024}}

File:La Crosse cathedral.jpg ]]

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,{{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}} Grace Lutheran Church,{{cite web|title=Growing in Grace|url=http://www.gracelacrosse.org/default.asp?sec_id=180017030|website=Grace Evangelical Lutheran}} Immanuel Lutheran Church,{{cite web|title=Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Crosse – WELS Synod|url=http://www.immanuellutheranoflacrosse.org/|website=Immanuel Lutheran Church}} Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church,{{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}} and St. John's Lutheran Church.{{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}} La Crosse is also home to two churches affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America; Bethany Church,{{cite web|url=https://churches.efca.org/?id=12445|title=EFCA Churches }} and Neighborhood City Church.{{cite web|url=https://churches.efca.org/?id=210417|title=EFCA Churches }} 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;{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.uulacrosse.org/home-2/about-us/our-history/|publisher=Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse}} the Islamic Society Othman Bin Afaan; and the Hmong Faith Alliance Church.

{{clear}}

File:Kwik Trip headquarters 2.jpg headquarters]]

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

• Allergy Associates of La Crosse and Allergychoices, Inc., national allergy clinic and allergy services organization
• Altra Federal Credit Union, regional credit union{{cite web|url=https://www.altra.org/about-us/history-mission|title=Why Altra?|publisher=Altra Federal Credit Union|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410181455/https://www.altra.org/about-us/history-mission|archive-date=April 10, 2015|url-status=dead}}
• City Brewing Company, former Heileman Old Style brewery{{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}}
• 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{{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}}
• Kwik Trip, regional gas and convenience stores{{cite web|title=Our Story|url=https://www.kwiktrip.com/Our-Story|access-date=April 28, 2018|website=Kwik Trip}}
• La Crosse Technology, manufacturer of radio-controlled clocks and weather stations
• Marine Credit Union, regional credit union

Corporations founded and formerly headquartered in La Crosse include:

• Cargill, America's now largest privately held corporation founded in La Crosse{{cite web|url=http://www.cargill.com/company/history/1865-1899/|title=Our History – Cargill|website=www.cargill.com}}
• La Croix Sparkling Water, carbonated drink originally created by the G. Heileman Brewing Company
• LaCrosse Footwear, footwear company founded in 1897{{cite news|url=http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/lacrosse-footwear-still-in-former-workers-hearts/article_038b8b38-eda5-11e1-a477-001a4bcf887a.html|title=LaCrosse Footwear still in former workers' hearts|author=Mike Tighe|newspaper=La Crosse Tribune|date=August 24, 2012|access-date=December 27, 2017}}
• Trane, international air conditioning, acquired by Ingersoll-Rand in 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.trane.com/history.aspx|title=TRANE Our History|website=www.trane.com|access-date=September 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114054004/http://www.trane.com/history.aspx|archive-date=January 14, 2016|url-status=dead}}

{{As of|2012}}, the 10 largest employers in La Crosse were:{{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}}

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

{{unreferenced section|date=September 2022}}

File:Valley View Mall La Crosse.jpg 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.

La Crosse has over 30 active arts organizations.{{cite web|url=http://www.viterbo.edu/fine-arts-center/fine-arts-center-history-0|title=Viterbo University: Fine Arts Center History|publisher=Viterbo University Fine Arts Center|access-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092802/http://www.viterbo.edu/fine-arts-center/fine-arts-center-history-0|archive-date=April 29, 2018|url-status=dead}} 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|date=February 2013}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Pump House Regional Arts Center|url=https://www.thepumphouse.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=58|website=The Pump House}}{{cite web|url=http://lacrossecommunitytheatre.org/pages/about-staff.html|title=Staff: La Crosse Community Theatre|publisher=La Crosse Community Theatre}} Local sculptor Elmer Petersen has created sculptures that are exhibited throughout the downtown area, including La Crosse Players and the Eagle in Riverside Park.{{Cite news|url=http://lacrossetribune.com/news/elmer-at-hand-petersen-the-welding-torch-there-s-more/article_27a94b4f-6f36-5b36-a06e-df2a64d468dd.html|title=Elmer at 80: Hand Petersen the welding torch — there's more art to create|last=Parlin|first=Geri|date=September 6, 2008|work=La Crosse Tribune|access-date=July 26, 2014}} It also hosts a yearly St Patrick's Day Parade as well as Irishfest La Crosse in August{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfestlacrosse.org/|title=Welcome to Irishfest LaCrosse|date=April 2020}}.

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.{{Cite news |last=Hatvany |first=Saskia |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Traditions shine as sun, warmth greet revelers |page=A1 |work=La Crosse Tribune |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.countycat.mcfls.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D8DE8DE83992E4A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1947026443ABF8D0 |url-access=registration |access-date=November 24, 2023 |via=NewsBank}}

File:Mt. La Crosse sunset.jpg]]

The La Crosse Loggers{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrosseloggers.com|title=La Crosse Loggers: Makin' Memories... One Game at a Time!|publisher=La Crosse Loggers}} (baseball) and La Crosse Steam{{cite web|url=https://northwoodsleague.com/la-crosse-steam/|title=Home - La Crosse Steam|publisher=La Crosse Steam}} (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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrossespeedway.com/faq|title=LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway FAQ|publisher=La Crosse Speedway|access-date=January 10, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125050937/http://www.lacrossespeedway.com/faq|archive-date=January 25, 2010}}

File:A Simpler Time Statue and Riverside Park levee.jpg levee]]

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{Cite web|title=La Crosse River Marsh: History of an Urban Wetland|url=https://archives.lacrosselibrary.org/local-history/la-crosse-river-marsh/city-s-comprehensive-plan/|access-date=March 15, 2021|website=La Crosse Public Library Archives}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Myrick Park Center & Myrick Marsh|url=https://www.travelwisconsin.com/natural-attractions-and-parks/myrick-park-center-myrick-marsh-199121|access-date=March 15, 2021|website=TravelWisconsin|language=en}} 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.

File:La Crosse City Hall.jpg

{{see also|List of mayors of La Crosse, Wisconsin}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} In the 2025 Mayoral election, Shaundel Washington-Spivey defeated Chris Kahlow making history as the city's first African American and openly LGBTQ+ mayor-elect.{{cite web|url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_8cf0d58d-c1d9-4a32-8292-8b48eb51e006.html|title=Shaundel Washington-Spivey elected La Crosse mayor|publisher=La Crosse Tribune|access-date=April 3, 2025}}

Both the city and county of La Crosse have voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1988.{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/president/33703659.html|title=Wisconsin presidential election results, 1964 to 2008|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 4, 2008|access-date=April 7, 2009}} In the 2016 Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton won the City of La Crosse with 58% of the vote.{{cite web |title=2016 Presidential Recount |url=https://lacrossecounty.org/docs/default-source/county-clerk/election-results/16-president-recount.pdf?sfvrsn=10ce7dcd_2 |website=La Crosse County |publisher=La Crosse County Clerk |access-date=5 December 2024}} In the 2012 presidential election, Barack Obama won 65% of the vote in the City of La Crosse{{cite web|url=http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/countyclerk/PastElectResults/12%20Novofficial%20canvass.HTM|title=Official Canvas 2012 November General La Crosse Wisconsin November 6, 2012|access-date=April 28, 2018}} and 58% of La Crosse County.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/wisconsin|title=Politico Wisconsin 2012 Election Results|author=Politico Online|website=Politico|access-date=January 9, 2015}} In 2014, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ranked La Crosse as one of Wisconsin's top performing Democratic cities.{{cite news|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/284675921.html|author=Craig Gilbert|title=The reddest and bluest places in Wisconsin|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=December 3, 2014|access-date=December 27, 2017}}

In the United States Congress, Republican Derrick Van Orden has represented La Crosse as part of Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district since 2023. For representation in the Wisconsin State Assembly, the city is split between three districts, with most of the central and northwestern parts of the city falling within the 95th district, represented by Democrat Jill Billings; the southern third of the city falls within the 96th district, represented by Democrat Tara Johnson; the northeastern quarter is part of the 94th district, represented by Democrat Steve Doyle. For Wisconsin Senate representations, the three La Crosse Assembly districts make up the 32nd Senate district, which is represented by Democrat Brad Pfaff.

File:UW-L campus 02.jpg 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.{{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}} As of 2021, the district has 16 separate facilities, providing a total of 20 elementary, middle, high, and charter school programs.{{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}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Referendum|url=https://www.lacrosseschools.org/referendum/|access-date=September 4, 2022|website=School District of La Crosse|language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aquinasschools.org/|title=Welcome to Aquinas Catholic Schools|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=Aquinas Catholic Schools}} Another Roman Catholic school, the Providence Academy, is independent from the district and has no affiliation with the Diocese.{{cite web|url=http://www.providencelacrosse.org/?q=node/9|title=Providence Academy|publisher=Providence Academy}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.lalschools.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=180007576&sec_id=180003282|title=La Crosse Area Lutheran Schools – Elementary Schools|website=www.lalschools.org}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Colleges & Universities Near La Crosse, Wisconsin {{!}} 2021 Best Schools|url=https://www.franklin.edu/colleges-near/wisconsin/la-crosse|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=www.franklin.edu}} 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|date=September 2022}}

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.

File:WIZM radio towers La Crosse.jpg

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.{{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}}

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.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

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.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

File:cass st bridge.jpg, 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{cite web|url=https://driftlax.org/|title=Drift Cycle|access-date=June 18, 2023}}

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.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

{{Main|La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility|Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit}}

File:La Crosse MTU 2020.jpg bus in 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}}

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%.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

The La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility bus service, with routes reaching out to the suburbs, served over one million users in 2007.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

File:LaCrosseWI AmtrakStation.jpg ]]

File:La Crosse BNSF rail yard.jpg 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.{{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/}}

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.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

Jefferson Lines serves La Crosse with one daily bus each way running between Minneapolis and Milwaukee via Rochester and Madison.{{Cite web|title=Jefferson Lines|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Jefferson Lines}} In addition, Badger Bus offers service on Fridays and Sundays during the school year between Madison and Minneapolis via La Crosse.{{Cite web|title=College Connections|url=https://badgerbus.com/tickets/college-connections/|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Badger Bus}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

Lock and Dam No. 7 on the Mississippi River is located approximately {{convert|4.5|mi}} upstream from Downtown La Crosse.{{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 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.{{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}} Over 500 wells on French Island have been contaminated and the State of Wisconsin has supplied bottled water to the affected residents.{{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}}

File:Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.jpg ]]

Two major regional healthcare facilities are located in La Crosse: Gundersen Health System and the Franciscan Skemp Medical Center.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.gundluth.org/?id=581&sid=1|title=Gundersen Health System|website=www.gundluth.org}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gundluth.org/?id=587&sid=1|title=Gundersen Health System|website=www.gundluth.org}} In 2014, Gundersen Health received the Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals™ designation, placing the system among the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.gundersenhealth.org/news/gundersen-health-system-among-healthgrades-americas-50-best-hospitals|title=Gundersen Health System Newsroom – Gundersen Health System|website=www.gundersenhealth.org}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mayohealthsystem.org/mhs/live/page.cfm?pp=locations/locationhome.cfm&orgid=FSH|title=Home – Mayo Clinic Health System|website=www.mayohealthsystem.org}}

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.{{cite web|title=Health Science Center|url=http://www.lacrosseconsortium.org/content/health_science_center|publisher=La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium}}

{{Main|List of people from La Crosse}}

La Crosse has sister city relationships with seven foreign towns and cities:{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/sister-cities|title=La Crosse: Sister Cities|website=City of La Crosse, Wisconsin|access-date=September 6, 2020}}

• {{flagdeco|IRL}} Bantry, County Cork, Ireland
• {{flagdeco|RUS}} Dubna, Moscow Oblast, Russia
• {{flagdeco|FRA}} Épinal, Vosges, Grand Est, France
• {{flagdeco|DEU}} Friedberg, Bavaria, Germany
• {{flagdeco|NOR}} Førde, Norway{{Cite web|date=October 10, 2007|title=US to copy waterfall|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2041004.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012031518/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2041004.ece|archive-date=October 12, 2007|website=Aftenposten Newspaper|language=en}}
• {{flagdeco|LUX}} Junglinster, Luxembourg{{cite web | url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/la-crosse-gains-8th-sister-city-junglinster-luxembourg/article_ad595636-9777-11ed-888d-478af782b72c.html | title=La Crosse gains 8th sister city: Junglinster, Luxembourg | date=January 18, 2023 }}
• {{flagdeco|Cameroon}} Kumbo, Cameroon
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Luoyang, Henan, China

• La Crosse area radio stations
• La Crosse area television stations
• List of sundown towns in the United States
• Old Style Beer

{{Reflist|1}}

• 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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• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.lacrossechamber.com/ La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce]
• [https://explorelacrosse.com/ La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau]

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Category:La Crosse, Wisconsin

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Category:Wisconsin populated places on the Mississippi River

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Category:1841 establishments in Wisconsin Territory

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