Embedded Files
Photo courtesy of the La Crosse Public Library Archives.
Blackout Poster
Broadside, Blackout Sign
Created by G.A. Keller, printer
Small Poster, Orange Paper
1943
2017.fic.1651
Prior to the beginning of World War II, coastal American Cities began to enforce city-wide blackouts. These blackouts prohibited any light after a set time and were intended to protect these cities from air raids by limiting enemy visibility. This was enforced by the Civil Defense and the testing of blackouts began on January 4th, 1943 in La Crosse.
The La Crosse Tribune reported on the events of the blackout that took place on June 28th, 1943. During the blackouts, it was reported that City Theater, located in La Crosse’s downtown area opened its doors to shelter community members during this time. Civil Defense officers were also reported by the tribune to be stationed around La Crosse, requiring vehicles to pull over to the curb until the blackout had ended. However, it was stated that overall, the community had high spirits and was cooperative when taking part in the practice drill.
The Rivoli, Downtown La Crosse
The Rivoli, a theater in downtown La Crosse that provided shelter to community members during the blackout event and later became one of the 140 shelters in the La Crosse Community Plan in the 1970s.
Photo courtesy of the Murphy Library Special Collections, Archives, and ARC.
Air Raid Siren
During a blackout, air raid sirens would play in order to alert community members of the event.
Interview: Pat Seubert's Reflects on the Blackouts
Interview: Pat Seubert's Reflects on the Blackouts
In an interview with Gareth Morgan from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Oral History Program, Pat Seubert describes her experiences living in La Crosse during World War II. A portion of the interview (located to the right), Seubert describes what it was like to participate in the Blackouts.
Interview courtesy of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Oral History Program.
ART215 - Blackout Interview.m4aKayla Price, Lauren Brewer, Margaret Hansen, Missy Winter, Wyatt Molling
Created Spring 2022
Page updated
Report abuse