La Crosse Medallions - "Treasures of the Past"
In 1991, PAL introduced the first in a series of collectible gold plated medallions depicting old familiar landmarks from La Crosse's present and nostalgic reminders of the city's past. Every year since then, at least one new commemorative medallion has been added to our "Treasures of the Past" series.
(click to check availability of previous years' ornaments or to get an order form)
PAL's 2009 MEDALLION IS AVAILABLE NOW!
The Martindale House - 237 S. 10th St.
Our 24K gold-plated ornament for 2009 represents a La Crosse home from the 1860’s. The Martindale home
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as a Local Landmark by the La Crosse Heritage
Preservation Commission and is located in the Cass/King District of the National Register of Historic
Places.
Construction began in 1855 by a Mr. Laverty and was completed by Cyrus Martindale in 1869. The Italianate architecture is defined by wide overhangs and heavy decorative brackets to support the roof. A white fence surrounds the home and gardens and a carriage house is located in the rear. A glassed cupola or lantern has round arched windows and the main floor features floor to ceiling windows which open onto the veranda making this one of our finest local landmarks in a neighborhood of many historic homes.
The Martindale House collectible can be ordered by mail directly from PAL any time (print order form here), or purchased at the Pump House (open noon to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday).
Medallions from previous years can still be purchased, also -- check here for availability.
PAL's 2008 Collectible Medallions
The Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 1333 13th St. South - - This Romanesque Revival church was built to serve the German community for worship, education, community gathering and countless family celebrations. It was built in 1893. The altars were designed by the local Hackner & Sons Co. The parish recently received PAL’s Preservation Award for an extensive, historically appropriate 2004 renovation project. The 120 ft. steeple with the clock and the recent elevator entrance are three dimensional on this medallion.
The Holway “Castle on Cass” at 1419 Cass St. - - The porte-cohere, tower and front entrance porch are three-dimensional features on this medallion, and are reproduced with attention to the architectural Romanesque features. The home was built for Nymphus Holway in 1892. It was owned by the Archdiocese of La Crosse from 1920 until 1974, when it once again became a private residence. The beloved landmark is believed the most photographed home in La Crosse. Imagine it bursting in holiday splendor and highlighted with a decorated tree on each floor of the tower. Holway House is a listed Historic Landmark by the La Crosse Preservation Commission and is located in the Cass/King Streets District of the National Register of Historic Places.
Buy the medallions for yourself
Call them "ornaments" at Christmastime and hang them on the tree -- (that gold really sparkles!) These beautiful "Treasures of the Past" need not be packed away for a year when the holidays are over, though. Frame one or several (or all of them) and display them on a wall where they can be seen and enjoyed all year long. Put your imagination and creativity to work. You'll find the perfect way and place to display them in your own home. The gold plating (on brass) doesn't tarnish.
Buy them for your family and friends
PAL's La Crosse "Treasures of the Past" medallions make great...
- gifts for birthdays
- gifts for the holidays
- graduation gifts - (see the Main Hall medallion!)
- housewarming gifts
- thank you gifts and hostess gifts
- "just because" gifts
- reminders of home for your La Crosse friends and family who have been transplanted elsewhere
- cultural exchange gifts to send to friends in faraway places. (Take a couple of PAL's commemorative La Crosse medallions with you when you travel, too, to give to new friends you may meet along the way... a keepsake that will remind them of their new friend from La Crosse, Wisconsin.)
Each medallion comes packaged on "velvet", in an attractive gift box, and includes historic information about the landmark.
How can you get them?
There's an order form for "Treasures of the Past" right here on PAL's web site. See which of the medallions are still available (click here) and then go here to print the order form. Every medallion you purchase helps to support the preservation efforts of PAL, and we thank you for that!
119 King Street - La Crosse, WI 54601 - (608)784-1976