Q: What is the history of the greenhouses in La Crosse cemeteries? How did it come about that the cemeteries have greenhouses, and is this unique to La Crosse?

A: The greenhouses at Oak Grove Cemetery were constructed where the office complex is now located at 1407 La Crosse Street. The cemetery association, led by president Joseph W. Losey, decided beautification of the cemetery was in order. To that end, Losey went to Chicago’s Lincoln Park Conservatory looking for a florist to help plan the greenhouses at Oak Grove. He hired German immigrant Paul Zoellner.
Before filling his position at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Zoellner had gardening experience in Germany. After serving an apprenticeship of four years, he continued his learning in the Royal Gardens, then owned by the king of Prussia.

In the early 1880s, Zoellner came to La Crosse and planned the 250-foot glass green house “for the general embellishment of the grounds and for the convenience of those having the graves of loved ones to beautify.” It was in place by 1884, as an ad from the city directory boasts, “A greenhouse in connection where floral designs, flowers and seeds can be furnished for any and all occasions.” An article from a La Crosse newspaper in 1891 stated more than 50,000 bedding plants were grown there for the floral displays in the cemetery.

Zoellner was promoted to Oak Grove Cemetery superintendent in July 1887 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1936, celebrating his 50th anniversary with the cemetery. He died in 1944 and is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Oak Grove continued to use the greenhouse until 1982, when it was deemed by the association too costly to maintain. In preparation for the office complex construction, the greenhouse was demolished by Swanson Construction in 1997. Today Oak Grove contracts with local florists to fill its flower needs.

Greenhouses became popular at cemeteries in the 19th century as a part of the rural cemetery and early park movement in the United States. Frederick Law Olmsted was a leader in landscape design and urban parks and was influential in this movement across the country. Transporting live plants was problematic then, so it was more cost effective for Oak Grove to grow its own plants from seed in a green house or buy in bulk from local florists.

Glenda Lee of Oak Grove Cemetery was instrumental in helping research this question.

In cooperation with the La Crosse Public Library, the Tribune invites readers to call or e-mail questions of local interest. We’ll try to find the answers and publish them. The phone number for Ask the Trib is (608) 791-8450. Send questions by e-mail to news@lacrossetribune.com.

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