Travel Back in Time to Onalaska

Popular legend (and most websites) says Onalaska’s name comes from the poem, “The Pleasures of Hope”, by the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell. And while that seems, well, poetic, there is some evidence that the name is derived from Lenni Lenape (an indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands) folklore and/or is the name of a woman. It’s an excellent example of history leaving enough clues to make things endlessly interesting. If you’re interested, the La Crosse Tribune did two articles a few years back about the city’s naming history: Part 1 and Part 2. Here’s a look at the city’s photographic history, showcasing the downtown. These images come from City of Onalaska Public Library and Onalaska Area Historical Society.

Postcard of 2nd Avenue, showing Onalaska Appliance in the Sias building. Undated.
Postcard of 2nd Avenue, showing Onalaska Appliance in the Sias building. Undated.
Postcard of a group of men making repairs to Main Street in 1914. The Crystal Theatre and Moore's Livery are pictured.
Postcard of a group of men making repairs to Main Street in 1914. The Crystal Theatre and Moore’s Livery are pictured.
Lunch time during street repairs. 1914.
Lunch time during street repairs. 1914.
Reprinted postcard of Jay Street, now Main Street, prior to 1912. Post office, J.L. Mackey Hardware, Doctor Weston's office, and a confectionary are pictured.
Reprinted postcard of Jay Street, now Main Street, prior to 1912. Post office, J.L. Mackey Hardware, Doctor Weston’s office, and a confectionary are pictured.
This is a good sentence and photo. Postcard of the Western Wisconsin Championship Baseball team, sponsored by the Onalaska Pickle and Canning Company (OPACCO).
This is a good sentence and photo. Postcard of the Western Wisconsin Championship Baseball team, sponsored by the Onalaska Pickle and Canning Company (OPACCO).