La Crescent Area Historical Society

10/08/2026

Exciting news!
LAHS has been awarded a $13,600.00 Minnesota Historical & Cultural Heritage Grant for our project, Collections in Order: First Steps. This will allow us to build an inventory of our historic artifact collection and begin updating storage and cataloging methods.
These funds will support a collections specialist and a university intern for 5 months.
This project will enable us to be better guardians of our shared history.

09/25/2026

07/09/2026

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent 🛒

This week we’re stepping back to 1981 with this colorful snapshot of Monge’s IGA Store located at 306 Main Street in downtown La Crescent.

Many residents will remember stopping in for groceries, friendly faces, and neighborhood service. Monge’s IGA became a familiar part of daily life in La Crescent and a longtime staple of the downtown business community.

Over the years, this location has continued to evolve. Today it’s home to a variety of local businesses, including Sterling Pharmacy, State Farm – Honor DiDonato, Connected Family Chiropractic, Bartsch Tax & Accounting, Clinical Massage Therapy, New Image Electrolysis La Crescent, and Mundt & Associates.

Photos like this are a reminder of how our downtown has changed while continuing to remain the heart of the community.

Do you remember shopping at Monge’s IGA? What’s something you remember buying there, or who do you remember seeing while walking the aisles? Share your memories below!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crescent Area Historical Society

07/09/2026

#𝐓𝐁𝐓

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent 🛒

This week we’re stepping back to 1981 with this colorful snapshot of Monge’s IGA Store located at 306 Main Street in downtown La Crescent.

Many residents will remember stopping in for groceries, friendly faces, and neighborhood service. Monge’s IGA became a familiar part of daily life in La Crescent and a longtime staple of the downtown business community.

Over the years, this location has continued to evolve. Today it’s home to a variety of local businesses, including Sterling Pharmacy, State Farm – Honor DiDonato, Connected Family Chiropractic, Bartsch Tax & Accounting, Clinical Massage Therapy, New Image Electrolysis La Crescent, and Mundt & Associates.

Photos like this are a reminder of how our downtown has changed while continuing to remain the heart of the community.

Do you remember shopping at Monge’s IGA? What’s something you remember buying there, or who do you remember seeing while walking the aisles? Share your memories below!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crescent Area Historical Society

07/02/2026

🇺🇸 Reminder: The La Crescent Area Historical Society will be closed this Saturday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.

This year’s celebration carries special meaning as America marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a milestone that commemorates our nation’s founding and the generations who helped shape its history.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and meaningful holiday as we reflect on our shared heritage and celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial! ❤️🤍💙

07/02/2026

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent 🏢

This week we're highlighting a building that has served La Crescent in a variety of ways over the decades.

Our first photo, taken in the 1960s, shows Vonderohe's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning at 106 S. Walnut Street. The business was a familiar part of downtown La Crescent before being sold to Bill Proksch, who later relocated the business to the Old Hickory's Barn area.

The second photo, from the 1970s, captures the building during its next chapter when it was owned by Samuel Jandt and housed the law offices of Samuel Jandt & Ross Phelps.

Today, this historic downtown building is home to Thorson Graphics, continuing its long tradition of serving the La Crescent community.

It's fascinating to see how our downtown buildings have evolved through the years while remaining an important part of the city's story.

Do you remember Vonderohe's, the law offices of Jandt & Phelps, or any other businesses that have called this location home? Share your memories in the comments!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crosse Public Library Archives, Howard Colvin/La Crosse Tribune Photo Collection
📸PC & Historical Information provided by La Crescent Area Historical Society
https://lacrescenthistory.org/

07/02/2026

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent ⛽

This week we're cruising back in time to Rudy's Skelly Service Station, owned and operated by Rudy Newhouse along Old Highway 61 near the former Commodore location.

This 1960's black-and-white photo captures a bygone era when full-service gas stations were a vital part of every community. Whether you needed fuel, a tire repaired, lubrication service, or simply a friendly conversation, Rudy's Skelly Service was there to keep travelers and local residents moving.

While the building is no longer standing today, many longtime residents may remember stopping in for gas or service before heading down the highway.

Do you remember Rudy's Skelly Service Station or have any stories about Rudy Newhouse? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crosse Public Library Archives, Howard Colvin/La Crosse Tribune Photo Collection
📸PC & Historical Information provided by La Crescent Area Historical Society
https://lacrescenthistory.org/

07/02/2026

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent 💈

This week we're taking a look back at one of downtown La Crescent's oldest surviving buildings!

The first photo, taken in the 1960s, shows Buchan's Barbershop, owned and operated by Don Buchan at 28 N. Walnut Street. For many years, the shop was a familiar stop for haircuts, conversation, and community connections. Later, the business became La Crescent Barbershop, and today the building is home to Groovy Grounds Bistro + Coffee

Our second photo, from the 1970s, shows the building during another chapter of its long history, offering a glimpse of how downtown La Crescent continued to evolve through the decades.

The third photo features the original wooden barber pole that once stood outside Buchan's Barbershop. If you look closely, you can spot it in the 1960s photo!
Today, this piece of local history is preserved and on display at the La Crescent Area Historical Society Heritage House.

As one of the oldest standing buildings remaining in La Crescent, this corner of downtown has witnessed generations of residents, businesses, and memories.

Do you remember getting a haircut at Buchan's Barbershop or the La Crescent Barbershop? We'd love to hear your stories in the comments!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crosse Public Library Archives, Howard Colvin/La Crosse Tribune Photo Collection
📸PC & Information provided by: La Crescent Area Historical Society
https://lacrescenthistory.org/

07/02/2026

#𝐓𝐁𝐓

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent 🍎

Take a step back to the 1960s with this beautiful view of the west side of La Crescent, photographed from Stanke's Orchard.

In the foreground, rows of orchard trees remind us why La Crescent has long been known as the Apple Capital of Minnesota. Looking across the valley, several familiar landmarks can be spotted, including the Vollenweider home and orchard near today's Apple Blossom Drive area, as well as Prospect Hill Cemetery nestled on the hillside.

In the upper left corner of the photo, you can also catch a glimpse of Houston County Road 29, now known as Apple Blossom Drive, winding through the landscape.

While many homes and neighborhoods have since been added, this photo captures the rural beauty and orchard heritage that helped shape La Crescent's identity for generations.

Do you recognize any other landmarks in this photo or remember when the hillsides were covered with even more orchards? Share your memories below!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crosse Public Library Archives, Howard Colvin/La Crosse Tribune Photo Collection
📸PC: Photo & history provided by the La Crescent Area Historical Society
https://lacrescenthistory.org/

06/25/2026

#𝐓𝐁𝐓

🕰️ Throwback Thursday – La Crescent ⛽

This week we're cruising back in time to Rudy's Skelly Service Station, owned and operated by Rudy Newhouse along Old Highway 61 near the former Commodore location.

This 1960's black-and-white photo captures a bygone era when full-service gas stations were a vital part of every community. Whether you needed fuel, a tire repaired, lubrication service, or simply a friendly conversation, Rudy's Skelly Service was there to keep travelers and local residents moving.

While the building is no longer standing today, many longtime residents may remember stopping in for gas or service before heading down the highway.

Do you remember Rudy's Skelly Service Station or have any stories about Rudy Newhouse? We'd love to hear your memories in the comments!

📸 Photo Credit: La Crosse Public Library Archives, Howard Colvin/La Crosse Tribune Photo Collection
📸PC & Historical Information provided by La Crescent Area Historical Society
https://lacrescenthistory.org/