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Funke Candy Company

 Series

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Slides made from photographs at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Special Collections Department all representing industries and businesses in La Crosse. Most of the photographs predate 1920. Many of the businesses selected are still operating.

Dates

  • circa 1890-1917

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron use in-house only. The La Crosse Public Library is not authorized to make reproductions of these; patrons need to contact the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Special Collections Department for copies.

Historical Note

The Joseph B. Funke Candy Company began in 1880 when J. Schreiber and M. Kratchwil entered into the candy making business. In 1882 Kratchwil withdrew and two years later Joseph B. Funke formed a partnership with Schreiber. The operation was located at the end of Main Street and it employed just a few men in the early days. Funke bought out Schreiber's part in 1887 and three years later the business was incorporated as the Joseph B. Funke Company. The facility moved to larger quarters on Second Street, between Main and Pearl, and Funke became one of the largest employers in La Crosse. Expansion continued and a new factory was built in 1898 on the site where Nathan Myrick constructed the first log cabin in La Crosse in 1842. The company pioneered many processes dealing with the manufacture of chocolates and had to overcome problems such as the lack of cooling mechanisms. In 1927 the chocolates were still dipped by hand because the machinery method, according to company officials, produced chocolates of lesser quality. The factory closed in 1933.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.2 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the La Crosse Public Library Archives Repository

Contact:
800 Main St.
La Crosse Wisconsin 54601
(608) 789-7136