La Crosse, Wisconsin, was founded as a permanent white settlement in 1842 by fur trader Nathan Myrick. It was incorporated as a city in 1856.
To celebrate the centennial of the founding, a committee was formed and plans were made for a large parade and other events around Independence Day. Because of the onset of World War II, it was decided to postpone the celebration. These interviews were one of the only committee plans actually carried out. The centennial celebration was later held in conjunction with the Wisconsin state centennial of 1948.
