The state census of 1855 reported that La Crosse had a population of 1,637 people. A few attempts had been made to incorporate as a village by a group of prominent La Crosse leaders called the Committee of Seven. However, it wasn’t until March 7, 1856, when “Dr. Dugal C. Cameron, a member of the state assembly, who was also a member of the Committee of Seven, introduced into the assembly a bill embodying a city charter for La Crosse.”(1) After the proposed charter was drawn up by Samuel D. Hastings, C.A. Stevens and Ebenezer C. Childs, both members of the Committee of Seven, reviewed the document and made slight changes. The bill for incorporation was introduced by Assemblyman Cameron and passed. The governor signed it on March 14, 1856.
Amendments to the charter generally reflect changes in the physical boundaries of the city limits; roles and titles of city officers or terms of office; make-up or structure of the Council, and the like.
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(1) Albert H. Sanford and Harry J. Hirshheimer, A History of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1841-1900 (La Crosse, WI : La Crosse Co. Historical Society), 1951, p.86.
