Like so many Hotel bars of the era, the Stoddard Hotel Bar in La Crosse was a typical hotel bar- but due to proximity and other factors, often was at least accepting of "gay" business.

According to the La Crosse County Historical Society:

Over the years, La Crosse has been home to quite a few hotels, but none can be described as more glamorous during its time than the Stoddard Hotel. It opened in 1904 and was named after La Crosse’s first mayor, Col. Thomas Stoddard. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon stayed there, as well as celebrities including Elvis Presley and Frank Lloyd Wright.

La Crosse researcher Victor Marcias-Gonzalez believes the bar was considered a gay male hangout as early as the 1940's. He notes it as "Largest hotel in town, cruisy bathroom and lobby bar".

The Stoddard Hotel Bar bar was listed in only two issues of the Damron national Gay Bar Guides (1976 and 1977, the 1976 issue noting "cruisy lobby & john" and the 1977 issue noting "Cruisy lobby & T-room"). We have not located any reference in any of Wisconsin LGBT media at the time, but it was obviously widely considered a local gay hangout by that time. We have not yet located any advertisements or photos.

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.

Listings in early "Gay Guides": (For more information on the Guides, click here.)

1976 Bob Damron's Address Book	1977 Bob Damron's Address Book