October tours launched Northside Hear, Here project

October tours launched Northside Hear, Here project

From memories of a bustling commerce center on Caledonia Street to tales of childhood adventure at the La Crosse River Marsh, the Hear, Here project provides an immersive experience into the vibrant past the Northside's historic neighborhood.

This past October UW-La Crosse's Hear, Here oral history project launched its new Northside stories through a series of five engaging tours highlighting different facets of Northside history. All tours -- by bike, trolley and on foot --- were filled with waiting lists.

The tours were based on stories collected from the Oral History Program at UWL, as well as archival research done in a HIS 408: Exhibit Development and Design II class taught by Associate Professor of Art Sierra Rooney.

"The students and community members who took the class that ran the tours did a really lovely job," says Hear, Here Executive Director Ariel Beaujot. "Their research was outstanding, and this helps people on the tours get a wider context for the neighborhood."

In addition to the initial tours, the Northside Hear, Here project officially launched on Monday, Sept. 30. Now, community members can use phone numbers and QR codes on Northside Hear, Here signs to connect with stories they can listen to on their phones whether on a tour or not.

Beaujot highlights that the stories featured in the project emphasize the Northside community spirit.

"People say 'Northside Rules!' and that has two meanings," notes Beaujot, "they mean it rules as in it rocks, and that there are 'Northside rules,' those rules being that the Northside people are a community who help each other out."

Hear, Here aims to capture local narratives often overlooked in traditional history books. Listeners learn about early Syrian/Lebanese immigrants, a founding African American family with a long legacy in barbering, and working-class residents who contributed significantly to the city's growth. The stories range from nostalgic childhood memories, like hosting a lemonade stand, to unique jobs such as rounding up cows to bring to pasture for a penny each.

While the tours focused on various aspects or locations related to the Northside, the project in its entirety includes about 70 Northside stories and many more visual and educational elements courtesy of various campus collaborations.

The project is possible through a partnership between UWL's Hear, Here project and the City of La Crosse.

"Northsiders know they are unique and wonderful," says Beaujot. "This project will bring that out for community and tourists to see as well."

About Hear, Here

Hear, Here is focused on placed-based stories and stories and storytellers that aren't traditionally captured in history.

The original Hear, Here project started in downtown La Crosse in 2015. Developed by UWL History Professor Ariel Beaujot and her students, Hear, Here captures audio stories from people of all backgrounds at specific city locations, accessed by dialing a toll-free number at orange street signs. Now expanding to the Northside of La Crosse, the project includes about 70 North Side stories and many more visual and educational elements courtesy of new campus collaborations.

Educational resources

New k-12 curriculum for art and social studies classes surrounding both downtown and Northside La Crosse stories is available for free use on the Hear, Here website. This content was developed by UWL Associate Professor of Art Lisa Lenarz and her students.