LA CROSSE CURLING CLUB (WIS.). RECORDS, 1929-1988 (BULK 1968-1982). 0.1 cubic feet (1 archives box)

Abstract

Records of a La Crosse, Wisconsin, private organization whose members enjoy and promote the sport of curling. Most materials date from 1968-1982 and include some historical background, administrative files, facility planning, financial, membership lists, meeting minutes (1929-1982), newsletters, some photographs and special events (Bonspiels).

Most of the records are photocopies of originals with two exceptions. A book of minutes covers the period December 1929-April 1964. Original photographs (ca. 1950’s) are included as well.

The club sold their facility at 1905 Palace St. in 1998. A small group of club members continue to curl at the Galesville Curling Club. Members of the La Crosse Curling Club carry on their search for another facility in La Crosse.

Donated by the La Crosse Curling Club via Christine Raulusonis, Dec. 1993.

Acc. No. 1993/20

Processed by Anita Taylor Doering, Dec. 1993; finding aid updated by Christine Stolz, Jan. 2002.

History

Harry Watkins and Arthur Dusty introduced the sport of curling in La Crosse in 1914. The first exhibition in La Crosse was staged in 1916 at Powell Park. A rink house with two sheets of ice was erected behind the Pearl Button Works in 1917; later a third sheet of ice was added.

In 1937, the La Crosse Curling Club converted a cattle barn at the Interstate Fairgrounds (18th and Badger Streets) into a rink house with four sheets of ice. The curling club served as a source of recreational and social activities for its members. In 1948, members Harry Watkins, Milt Kyseth, Jim Arenz and Bud Holley) won the Grand Nationa1 Bonspiel (tournament) championship in Utica, New York.

In the spring of 1973, members learned that their lease would not be renewed and that they would have to relocate. For the next four years, a small group of curlers met in Galesville at the Galesville Curling Club. Fundraising events and monetary donations finally enabled the La Crosse Curling Club to begin building a new facility on the north side of La Crosse. Groundbreaking took place in June 1977 at the corner of Oak and Palace Streets. When finished in December 1977, the new facility had four sheets of ice, a club room, kitchen area and equipment room. By 1978, the club had grown to 150 members.

The La Crosse Curling Club sponsored numerous social events and bonspiels including the February 1979 Wisconsin High School Boys and Girls Championship. The first annual Oktoberfest Bonspiel took place in September 1985. By 1990, 54 teams participated in the Oktoberfest Bonspiel and included competitors from U.S. national curling teams and former U.S. Olympians. The Oktoberfest Bonspiel continued through 1998.

By 1998, membership in the La Crosse Curling Club had declined to about 70 members. The last matches held at the club facility at 1905 Palace were in March of 1998. In October 1998, the building was sold to Andy Tempte who remodeled half of the building for his business, Tempte’s Financial Education, and rented the other half of the building for storage.

A small group of club members continue to curl at the Galesville Curling Club. Members of the La Crosse Curling Club carry on their search for another facility in La Crosse.

Scope and Content

The bulk of the materials date from 1968-1982 and include historical background, administrative files (1952-1982), facility planning (1968-1982), financial materials (1966-1981), memberships lists (1968-1981; 1993-1994), minutes of both board and general annual membership meetings (1929-1982), scattered newsletters (1978-1988), photographs (ca. 1950s), and special events (Bonspiels), (1966-1981).

Most of the records are photocopies of originals with two exceptions. A book of minutes covers the period December 1929-April 1964. Original photographs (ca. 1950’s) are included as well.

Other Sources

Other collections at the La Crosse Public Library Archives that contain La Crosse Curling Club materials include:

The clipping file includes newspaper clippings under these headings:
  La Crosse-Organizations-La Crosse Curling Club
  La Crosse-Sports-Curling

The local publications collection includes newsletters from the La Crosse Curling Club (June 14, 1978-October 1995 with gaps).