Egid Hackner trained both as an architect and artist in Germany. In the early La Crosse city directories business section, Hackner is listed under church furnishings and also as an architect.
His company issued catalogs advertising a variety of pre-existing designs to choose from. If there was not a design that met an institution’s needs, custom drawings would be created free of charge.
The pen and ink drawing on the right is from St. Michael’s Church of Chicago. The firm designed and built all five of the church’s altars.
The intricate altar blueprint in the center bears Egid Hackner’s initials “E. H.” in the bottom right corner. This blueprint is a reproduction of the fragile original.
Collection of the La Crosse County Historical Society.
