Scope and Contents From the Record Group: Licenses were required by the La Crosse Common Council from the very beginning of city government. These volumes (1856-1955) list the various types of licenses required by the City which changed over time. There is a gap in the license record from 1878-1881 inclusive. Examples of licenses issued by the City Clerk are retail and wholesale liquor, gun powder, taxis, "runners" (hotel proprietors), beverage, shows (circuses, menageries, etc.), pool/billiard/bowling alley, cigarette,...