La Crosse Interactive Map & Gallery

Interactive Bird's-eye Map. Use the plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out and the arrow directionals to explore the details of the residences, schools, city streets and historic buildings of this 1867 bird’s-eye view of the city of La Crosse. WHi 11427

Historic Views of La Crosse
Over the last two years, the Wisconsin Historical Society has been scanning and cataloging its collection of images of Wisconsin places. Consisting of over 10,000 items, the collection highlights main street views, prominent buildings in each community, local monuments and other features of interest. In support of the Wisconsin Hometown Stories: La Crosse broadcast, the Society is pleased to present a selection of historic views of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Bird's-eye Maps
Over 200 panoramic drawings of Wisconsin cities and towns from the collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society are now available to browse and purchase. Known as bird’s eye views, panoramas, or perspective maps, these detailed illustrations were very popular with inhabitants of proud and growing communities during the latter half of the 19th century. Itinerant artists would walk the streets of a town and make sketches of its buildings. They were then assembled into a single drawing depicting the town’s streets, houses, and businesses, showing the community as if seen from above; hence the name "bird’s eye view."