Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"Trempealeau County" by Clarence J. Gamroth:
Volume 1A:
Communities: Crystal
Valley
Crystal Valley (1854), 1948
Crystal Valley lies 3 miles north of Galesville on a tributary of
Beaver Creek, called Dutch Creek. It lies 28 miles northeast of
La Crosse on Hwy 53.
Timber was never abundant, however there was sufficient quantity for
fuel and fencing. Seventy-five years or more it was cheaper to
get lumber from Black River, 3 miles distant for fencing. The
river was used for rafting lumber.
It is said that the valley was so named because some man remarked when
drinking from a spring that the water was as clear as a crystal.
Many of the early settlers lived in dugouts, just holes burrowed in the
side of a hill or bank. A small amount of land was cultivated at
the time. Game was plentiful, such as deer, bear, prairie
chickens, pigeons (passenger), pheasants, and quail. Wolves broke
the silence many winter nights with howling. Oxen were used for
work and travel. Horses were scarce.
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