Yesterday in La Crosse

Spock draws a crowd on campus, 48 years ago

Published

5 years ago

December 3, 2018

An audience of 1700 people gathered at Mitchell Hall on the La Crosse State campus in 1970 to hear a famous speaker named Spock…and we’re not talking about “Star Trek.” Baby doctor Benjamin Spock visited the campus that December. Spock had become an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, which he described as a “land grab” for the U.S. The doctor encouraged non-violent and legal methods of dissent.

Wisconsin lost a seat in Congress, after the 1970 census. Since 1930, the Badger State had 10 men in the U.S. House…but Wisconsin wasn’t growing as quickly as other states, so the 10th District up north was eliminated by 1972. Iowa also lost a seat after the census, but Minnesota kept all of its House districts.

Some Christmas deals at local stores included a Hot Wheels racing set at Penney’s for $6.88…and shaggy “mod-mop” slippers for women, only $1.66. In 1970, yesterday in La Crosse.

Related Topics:Benjamin Spock census Hot Wheels

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.