Onalaska, WI

Town in La Crosse County, WI

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Sponsors of Onalaska, WI


Since the founding of our communities, organizations, businesses and citizens have stepped forward to build and serve their community. Click on any of the logos below to learn about those who made this website possible! If you would like to learn about becoming a sponsor CLICK HERE!

About Onalaska, WI


Great glaciers of the Ice Age bypassed Onalaska, forming the “driftless region” which left the majestic scenery and topography of Onalaska. The steep rocky bluffs, winding valleys, fertile river bottom and great Mississippi River Basin made the Onalaska area appealing for habitation. As early as 8,000 BC, Native Americans lived in small mobile family groups in the Onalaska area. Later, the Oneota culture was noted for their farming methods, as well as using the area for fishing, and hunting.

Onalaska was originally founded by Thomas G. Rowe from New York, who came here in 1851. It soon became a flourishing lumber town. The name “Onalaska” came from the poem, “The Pleasures of Hope,” by Thomas Campbell, published in 1799. Rowe liked the line, “The wolf’s long howl from Oonalaska’s shore,” and decided to use the name, only with one “o”. Onalaska is built on a ridge overlooking Lake Onalaska and the Black River, the Mississippi River and the Minnesota bluffs three miles away.

Businesses of Onalaska, WI


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La Crosse County, WI


Visit our county page and you will find information about our town and county's points of interest, festivals/events and faith community. You also will learn about the community organizations that have built and continue to build strong communities (chambers, community groups, and departments, etc) and much more when you visit the La Crosse County, WI page.