Historic Downtown La CrosseDay Street Stroll
Take a leisurely stroll through the La Crosse Historic Commercial District. The questions on this “Street Stroll”
can be answered from the outside of the buildings. Contest rules and entry form are at the end of the
questions. When you’re done, turn in your answer sheet at one of the 3 businesses listed at the end of this
form. Enjoy a pleasant walk… and don’t forget to look up!
1. 200-212 Main Street (Powell Place)
This ½ block long ornately decorated Italianate style red brick building has street level cast iron
columns and pilasters typical of late 19th century storefronts. Which end of the roof-line is higher?
2. 113-115 South Second Street (kick)
A finely preserved decorative cornice & triangular pediment are classical revival features of this two
story red brick building. What business operated here for nearly 100 years?
3. 201 Pearl Street (Satori Arts)
This Italianate style building dates from the 1880’s and has a multi-colored starburst in the pediments.
How many different colors are in the starburst?
4. 115 South Third Street (Big Al’s)
The two story ornate projecting bays in this building are typical of the Queen Anne style that was
popular in the 1890’s. The original business located here also sold fermented beverages. What was the
name of the original owner?
5. 127-129 South Third Street (Markos Clothing Distributors)
This large three story building was built in 1870 as a grocery store, and in the 1920’s two doctors
started a partnership here that later became Gunderson Clinic. Highly decorated window hoods are
often seen on Italianate style commercial buildings. How many different styles of window hoods are
there?
6. 304 Pearl Street (Casino Bar)
A tavern for over 125 years; this building is an uncommon blend of two distinct architectural styles,
Italianate (1878) above & Art Modern (1934) at street level. The current owner makes an unusual claim.
What is it?
7. 327 Pearl Street (Jule’s Coffee House)
Built in 1886 as a saloon, this building was owned originally by an historic La Crosse brewery. What
was the name of the brewery?
8. 200 S. 4th Street (Stamp ‘n Hand & The Warehouse )
Built in 1885 as a dry goods store, it’s history includes Mr. Doerflingers first retail store, and later, a
men’s clothing store until the mid-1980’s. What is the name of that clothing store? The name is still
painted on the brick on the upper west side of the building.
9. 134 South 4th Street (Fayze’s Restaurant)
The upper stories of this ornate Italianate influence building have been restored. What colors are in the
decorative window hood molding?
10. 116 S. 4th Street (Leithold Music)
This towering red brick building has large round arches typical of the Romanesque Revival Style. How
many arched windows are on the top story?
11. 319 Main Street (LARK)
This five-story Richardsonian Romanesque style building features stone arches. What is the insignia
above the third floor windows?
12. 400 Main Street (Three Rivers Outdoors)
This four story brick building was built in 1903 in the Chicago Commercial style that was very popular
in the early 20th century. What was the name of the department store that was in it until the 1980’s?
13. 418-420 Main Street (The Wedding Tree)
This 3 story brick building is a combination of Romanesque, Queen Anne and Neo-Classical styles. The
building is named after the family who operated the dry goods store. What is their name?
14. 426 Main Street (City Square)
Built in 1891, the ER Barron building shows a mix of ornamentation typical of the Queen Anne and
Romanesque styles. Describe the symbol in the decorative gable.
15. 506 Main Street (Scott Joseph Menswear)
This brick structure illustrates the influence of constructional coloration, meaning that color is an
integral, permanent part of the building design. In what year was the building dedicated?
16. 507 Main Street (Monet Flowers)
A mix of Prairie Style and Mediterranean Revival details are evident in this 1912 building designed for
Norwegian immigrant Odin J. Oyen. What is the focal ornamentation on the west side of the building?
17. 115 S. 5th Ave. (Tres Amigos/Vintage Vogue)
This Art Deco concrete commercial structure features ceramic tile ornamentation and iron sconce light
fixtures. How many sconces are there?
18. 201-205 S. 5th Avenue (
This six story, molded concrete, Art Modern style commercial structure was designed as an office
building with ground floor retail. What do you see on the roofline of the adjacent building to the south?
Contest rules:
1. All questions must be answered
2. One entry per family
3. Three winners will be drawn from the entries that have the most correct answers.
4. Winners will be announced Oct. 11th on the Downtown Mainstreet website:
wwwlacrossedowntown.com and posted at The People’s Food Co-op, Stamp ‘n Hand and kick.
5. You do not need to be present to win. Winners will be notified by Downtown Mainstreet.
6. Prizes will be Downtown Mainstreet $50 gift certificates.
In order to qualify for prizes, answer sheets must be turned in Saturday Oct 9th, at one of the following
locations:
-The People’s Food Co-op 315 S. 5th Ave. (open until 5:00pm on Saturday)
-Stamp ‘n Hand 200 S. 4th Street (open until 5:30 on Saturday)
-kick
113 s. 2nd Street (open until 10:00pm on Saturday)
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