Happy Anniversary to the Celtic Inn! January 1, 2008, begins fifth year in business. Thank you to all guests and friends for a wonderful four years, and here's to a great fifth year!
How I came to be an innkeeper
Several
years ago, I stayed at my first B&B near Bayfield, Wisconsin. A few years later,
my sister and I traveled to Ireland and spent a week driving (on the left, mind
you) from one Gaelic region to another, always staying in authentic, Irish B&Bs.
While I never learned to eat blood sausage, I found I loved bangers and mash,
Irish draught, and afternoon tea. I also experienced the best hospitality and
service of my life, which is the benchmark I use every day here at The Celtic
Inn, Inc.
History of The Celtic Inn, Inc.
The Celtic Inn, Inc., is a Queen Anne Victorian built by Dr. Anderson and
his wife Susie (Small). Dr. Anderson was born in Gray, Maine, in 1840. He
married Susie in 1864 and moved to La Crosse with his wife in 1866. Dr.
Anderson’s sister already lived here and he moved to La Crosse to be with her
and her two children after she lost her husband in the Civil War.
Dr. Anderson lived in a small house two doors away from his sister’s home on Cass Street and became the two girl’s surrogate father. Dr. Anderson and his wife, Susie, lived here for several years and all six of their children were born here, though three died in infancy. In 1890, the Andersons began construction on this home (the small home was removed) and he lived there nearly 40 years until his death 1929. Upon his death, his home at 924 Cass Street was bequeathed to the parishioners of the First Congregational Church and served as its parsonage for many years until the mid 1950s.
Most notably, Dr. Anderson lived at 924 Cass Street during his two terms as a very progressive mayor of the City of La Crosse, even by today’s standards (1899-1901 and 1907-1909). As mayor, Dr. Anderson was instrumental in beautifying La Crosse for all citizens, including paving the streets of downtown La Crosse, establishing our award-winning public library, and in building our regionally and nationally known park system. For his efforts with the park system, the bandstand in Riverside Park was built and dedicated to his memory one year after his death. Dr. Anderson was also president of the Board of Education and in his tenure brought free pencils and textbooks to all children of La Crosse, regardless of economic status.
History of La
Crosse
by Charlotte Fox
Adapted from
http://lacrossevisitor.com/lxhistory.htm
On the banks of the mighty Mississippi, La Crosse is gently nestled amidst bluffs and coulees. A river town, La Crosse offers all the history, charm, and romance of the steamboat era.
Permanent settlement of the area actually began in 1841, when Nathan Myrick first built a cabin on Barron’s Island and began trading with the Winnebago Indians. Many industries would prosper here in the early years, including logging, farming, and brewing.