While in the area I spotted this odd pillar just standing there lost and forgotten, what could it be from?? So, stopping to investigate I spotted a date of 10-4-1911, well that narrows my search down! But first I have to place a cache here as it seems to be calling for one. Going to be looking for a bison tube hanging off the pillar.
But now, what is this left over from? After doing some research I discovered the property used to be a large lumber yard so it had to be something for that. Here is what I could find of the lumber company:
"The company began in 1857, as Segelke and Sack. After the death of Sack in 1859, the firm was operated under the partnership of Jacob Kohlhaus, John Kutzbursky, and Charles Segelke. The company manufactured sash, doors, blinds, and other material including hard wood floors, stairs, stair railing, newel posts, and balistrades. The business territory included Wisconsin, Minnesota the Dakotas, Illinois and Iowa. The company went bankrupt in the 1950s.
Charles Segelke and Jacob Kolhaus established themselves in the door and sash business in 1863. La Crosse was at that time, a lumber milling center and the Segelke-Kohlaus firm took advantage of the large supply of available lumber resources at La Crosse. The firm was one of the more important concerns in a city of many industries. Pre-fabricated building materials put the firm out of business after a century of operations.
Original office building constructed in 1899 by local contractor James Rawlinson. Addition in 1912 designed by Parkinson and Dockendorff for corporate offices and for the finishing and glazing departments.
Adjacent plant and factory buildings demolished in 1989 and in 1995."
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory Citation
Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, "Segelke-Kohlhaus Office/Glazing Department", "La Crosse", "La Crosse", "Wisconsin", "32074".
So what do you think this was used for?? And please notice that the building across the parking lot to the east on 2nd street was the offices for this business.
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