Yesterday in La Crosse

The last time a sitting president came to La Crosse was 5 years ago

Published

4 years ago

July 2, 2020

On July 2nd of 2015, President Barack Obama spoke at UW-La Crosse, in the Recreational Eagle Center. It was Obama’s only visit to the city during his eight years in the White House, but it continued a tradition of presidents…past, present, and future…making speeches on the university campus, dating back to John F. Kennedy in 1959. Obama’s stop in La Crosse fell during the city’s 4th of July festival. He didn’t make it to the party himself, but he told the audience that he has heard good things about Riverfest. The headline performer at Riverfest that summer was country singer Dustin Lynch, performing on the 3rd. Steve and Jill Doll were the Commodore and First Mate for the 2015 festival.

On the north side of La Crosse, a popular restaurant would close before the year was over. Edwardo’s on Rose Street would shut down after a total of 55 years in business in different locations.

Gas prices for that 4th of July were a bit higher than they are in 2020. Regular was selling for $2.73 a gallon in La Crosse. The lowest price in America was $2.44 in South Carolina, and it was up to $3.48 in Alaska, five years ago, 2015, yesterday in La Crosse.

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.