Places of the Past: The early years of Valley View Mall in La Crosse
From the Places of the past: An alphabetical look back at La Crosse area history series
Valley View Mall opened its doors at 9:30 a.m. July 31, 1980, in La Crosse. Here’s a look back at the early years of the city’s biggest shopping destination.
Valley View Mall: Construction underway

Construction workers prepare the site for Valley View Mall, at the corner of Hwys. 16 and 157. The mall opened in the summer of 1980.
Valley View Mall: View from the early 1980s

This photo, taken in the early 1980s, shows the area around Hwys. 16 and 157.
Valley View Mall: 1985 list of stores

This list of stores was published in a special section of the La Crosse Tribune that marked Valley View Mall's fifth anniversary.
Valley View Mall: Sears courtyard

This photo taken in 1985 shows a seating area outside the Sears department store.
Valley View Mall: Skylights

This photo, taken before the mall's 1980 opening, shows one of the seating areas in the mall. Skylights and trees were installed in seating areas throughout the mall.
Valley View Mall: Sears

Manager David McDowell stock merchandise in the boys department before the store opened in 1980 at the Valley View Mall.
Valley View Mall: Kinney Shoes

Scaffolding and plastic block the entrance to Kinney Shoes before it opens its doors in 1980 at Valley View Mall.
Valley View Mall: Kids toy store

Mary Jane Hefti of La Crosse demonstrates a Miss Piggy hand puppet for Cheri Wittenberg of Winona, Minn., at Kids, a toy store than opened in 1980 at Valley View Mall.
Valley View Mall: 1980 list of stores

Valley View Mall opened at 9:30 a.m. July 31, 1980. This list of stores was published in the La Crosse Tribune before the mall's opening.