Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Scope and Contents
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.
Dates
- 1927
Creator
- Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wis. (Organization)
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Historical Note
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 scored low because of poor public facilities. Health services scored low although they were rated above the median score for six other cities.
Extent
1.6 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
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.
Acquisitions Information
Donor unknown; came to the Archives through the Reference Department. (Accession No. x.025)
Physical Description
4 archives boxes
OCLC Number
28416989
Processing Information
Processed by Nancy Steinhoff, 1988.
Creator
- Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wis. (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Wisconsin Better Cities Survey: La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1927
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Nancy Steinhoff
- Date
- 1988
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the La Crosse Public Library Archives Repository