Title: Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Date: 1927

Creator:

• Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wis.

Unique Identifier: MSS 001

Quantity: 1.6 cubic feet

Physical Description: 4 archives boxes

Repository:

La Crosse Public Library
Contact Information

Archival Location:

La Crosse Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

This study of the 1927 survey of Wisconsin city services covers La Crosse. Services examined were libraries, health, social welfare, municipal government, city planning and zoning, rural relations, religion, education, industry and recreation. The "Better Cities" contest was sponsored by the Wisconsin Conference of Social Work.

These reports consist of eleven parts --ten on the above named topics and one publication called "History Index" which is a brief history of La Crosse by Albert H. Sanford. The reports include photos, maps, newspaper clippings and other documentation, as well as outlines of survey questions and answers.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.lcpl-mss001

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28416989

Donor unknown; came to the Archives through the Reference Department. (Accession No. x.025)

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

[Identification of item], Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin, MSS 001, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI

Processed by Nancy Steinhoff, 1988.

In 1926 the Wisconsin Conference of Social Work sponsored a survey of city services in La Crosse. The purpose was to assess strengths and weaknesses. Ten committees of La Crosse citizens formed to study the following areas: libraries, health, social welfare, municipal government, city planning and zoning, town and rural relations, religion, education, industry, and recreation.

In February 1929 Aubrey W. Williams, General Secretary for the Wisconsin Conference of Social Work, presented the judges' opinions to the Common Council. He published these same results one year later (see The La Crosse Citizens' Survey , 1930). La Crosse scored well on town and country relations, libraries, family social work, municipal government with the exception of fire protection, and education. La Crosse scored low on city planning and zoning largely because of piecemeal regulations and no overall city plan. Recreation rated low because of poor pubic facilities. Health services scored low although they were rated above the median score for six other cities.

The collection consists of eleven reports on various topics which are labeled "publications." These publications were the result of the subject committees' efforts to gather information on La Crosse to present to a panel of judges. The majority of the collection, publications 1-10, outline the given questions on the survey, followed by answers and supporting evidence. The survey questions deal with services and programs, funding and expenses, publicity, communications and cooperation among other agencies. Included in these reports are a wealth of information represented by photographs, maps, blueprints, postcards, newspaper clippings, graphs, bulletins, official forms, and curriculum guides, as well as some narrative data.

The newspaper clippings are very specific and are not indexed other than being labeled "newspaper clippings." For instance, the section on industry includes articles on G. Heileman Brewing Company, Tri-State Ice Cream, Iron Products Corporation, La Crosse Garment Company, and the Salzer Seed Company to name but a few of the many industries represented.

The final publication "History Index" is a brief history of La Crosse by Albert H. Sanford. Also included in this section is an index to the exhibits or supporting evidence of the preceding ten reports.

(361.977571 L119 1930)

The La Crosse Citizens' Survey, 1930

(MSS 009)

American Legion Community Survey of La Crosse Papers, 1930

• Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wis.
• La Crosse County (Wis.)--Social services
• Social service--Wisconsin--La Crosse County

Box 1   Folder 1	Public Library (Publication 1, pages 1-119)
Box 1   Folder 2-3	Health (Publication 2, pages 120-318)
Box 1   Folder 4	Social Welfare (Publication 3, pages 319-490)
Box 2   Folder 2-4	Public Administration (Publication 4, pages 586-787)
Box 1   Folder 5 Box 2   Folder 1	Town Planning & Zoning (Publication 5, pages 491-637)
Box 2   Folder 5-6	Town/Country Relations (Publication 6, pages 789-942)
Box 3   Folder 1-2	Religion (Publication 7, pages 943-1093)
Box 3   Folder 3-6	Education (Publication 8, pages 1094-1291)
Box 4   Folder 1-2	Industry (Publication 9, pages 1292-1415)
Box 4   Folder 3-5	Recreation (Publication 10, pages 1415-1799)
Box 4   Folder 6	History & Index (Publication 11, pages 1800-1808)