Yesterday in La Crosse
A hot topic, where to put a new fire station…54 years ago
In 1964, the city Plan Commission wanted to build a fire station at 5th and Cameron in La Crosse. It was supposed to replace stations on South 6th St., and on State St. where the current Post Office stands. Fire Chief Fred Ganz was in favor of the Cameron site, but because of city council opposition, the station was built a few blocks away at 5th and Market. That station may soon be remodeled, to include city administration offices.
Contractors were busy around La Crosse in ’64. They built an addition to Logan Junior High School, a new Coca-Cola plant, a sound lab for the Trane Company, and a high-rise dorm at Viterbo, which eventually was named Marian Hall.
And a local church had a special “thank you” for its pastor. The Rev. James Bell and his wife were given a 3-month trip throughout Europe for 10 years of service to the First Presbyterian Church…54 years ago, 1964, yesterday in La Crosse.
