Historical Note

The Pamperin & Wiggenhorn Cigar Factory began humbly in 1866 at 113-115 So. 2nd Street. The manufacture of cigars was big business in La Crosse, and it is estimated that more than 250 cigarmakers were employed in the city. At one time there were 26 cigar factories. In 1903, more than 100 people were employed by Pamperin & Wiggenhorn.

Shortly after 1900, the development of machinery lead to lower prices for cigars and many firms quit the cigar making business. In January 1904, the Wiggenhorns bought out the Pamperin interest, and John Pamperin started up his own business at the original location. Traveling salesmen roamed the region selling cigars.

In 1974 Charles and Marjorie Collins purchased the business from Franklin J. Pamperin, grandson of the firm's founder. The operation closed at the end of 1986.