And you’ll be hearing it from people who sincerely appreciate the natural beauty, the overall commitment to quality, and the sense of community that they enjoy each day as residents of the "Coulee Region."

This appreciation for the La Crosse Area has been present from the days of our earliest inhabitants. The giant glaciers of the Ice Age retreated north and miraculously left the La Crosse Area virtually untouched. Early hunters in search of the giant mammoth were attracted to the area by the three rivers that came together here. The Mississippi, the La Crosse, and the Black Rivers later became a gathering place for Native Americans, who learned to use the vast natural resources of the lush prairies near the rivers. The rivers provided them with trade routes throughout the center of the continent.

Later, European settlers made their way through the mountainous limestone formations and the narrow valleys (called "Coulees" by the French) until they reached the edge of the 500 foot bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. There, they observed a group of Winnebago Indians on the prairie below, playing a game similar to the French game of lacrosse. Soon, "Prairie
La Crosse" became a major trading post, as commodities, freight, and more settlers arrived in the area. Lumber, limestone, and farm products built the local economy.

And, today, people still travel the Mississippi River Valley to the La Crosse Area to enjoy the scenic beauty of the autumn season, the festivals of summer, and the recreation and natural beauty of the spring and winter.