1930 Map of La Crosse

About this map

The Mississippi River and Black River dominate the western edge of this 1930s landscape, where the bustling rail hubs of La Crosse and North La Crosse meet the complex topography of the Driftless Area. The map reveals an intricate network of coulees and ridges, including Grand Dad Bluff and Miller Bluff, which defined the expansion of early settlements. Rural life is characterized by a high density of one-room schoolhouses such as Maple Shade Sch and Bell Coulee Sch, alongside community institutions like the County Asylum and the Poor Farm. Industrial and transport patterns are evident in the crossing of major lines like the Chicago Milwaukee and St Paul and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy, facilitating the movement of goods through Grand Crossing and out toward West Salem and Bangor.