Q: At one time, harness races were held at the old La Crosse Interstate Fairgrounds, with horse barns along Hwy. 16 between La Crosse and West Salem. What ever happened to the barns?

A: We have no information on the fate of any horse barns along Hwy. 16. However, a barn specifically for horses used in harness racing at the fair was constructed in 1925 on the fairgrounds. (The old fairgrounds were located where Veterans Memorial Field is now). This barn was in use until 1957, when it was dismantled and moved to the current fairgrounds in West Salem after the last fair was held in La Crosse in 1956. A Tribune article from 1938 mentioned that prior to the 1925 construction, the horse and cattle barns were “strung along the sides of the grounds.” Unfortunately, there’s no mention of any other horse barns being used.
Q: During what time period were old Model-T races held at the La Crosse Interstate Fairgrounds?

A: The first, and possibly only, Model-T race at the old

La Crosse Interstate Fair-grounds was held Aug. 29, 1937. It was attended by about 12,000 people and featured drivers from the area. Don Freehoff of La Crosse won the 75-mile race with an average speed of 34 miles an hour. The La Crosse Public Library archives has no other information on Model-T races at the fairgrounds, so it’s difficult to know whether there were others.

Q: What is known about La Crosse’s old Trane Tea Room, such as its location, history and timeline?

A: Emma Schnick and Ernest Trane, brother to the locally famous James Trane of Trane Plumbing, were married in 1890 in La Crosse. Ernest worked at Trane Plumbing until his death in 1916. Emma found herself widowed with three children. To bring in an income, Emma and her children, George, Minnie and Ella, began a bakery at Sixth and Main streets. It was a family business, and the family stayed together through adulthood.

The bakery was abandoned by 1924 when the family moved to 811 Vine St. and engaged in the restaurant business. The name Trane Tea Room was used in 1928, and the business again moved by 1930 to 205 S. Seventh St., where it remained until it closed around 1950. George died in 1947, and his mother, Emma, 10 years later.

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

Advertisement