Travel Back in Time to South Milwaukee

The Milwaukee area was a gathering place for many Indigenous people, including the Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Fox, Sac, and Menominee. “The confluence of three rivers, presence of abundant natural resources, and mix of tribes positioned Milwaukee as an ideal trading post.” (Encyclopedia of Milwaukee)

South Milwaukee is a distinct city from its northern cousin and was originally part of the Township of Oak Creek. In 1891, a group of businessmen bought the land that would become South Milwaukee with the purpose of establishing an industrial suburb of (and potentially rival to) the larger city of Milwaukee. The city of South Milwaukee is now 20,000 people strong, with its own distinct history and identity. South Milwaukee Public Library and the South Milwaukee Historical Society combined forces to provide a digital history collection in 2021, now available in Recollection Wisconsin. Enjoy a few samples below, but the entire collection is full of fantastic photos, yearbooks, telephone directories, and more!

Street scene, Milwaukee Avenue, 1916. View looking northeast of the 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue. An identified horse and carriage team and the South Milwaukee streetcar are seen. Smoot’s Photography Studio, 914 Milwaukee Avenue, is seen in the background.
Street scene, Milwaukee Avenue, 1916. View looking northeast of the 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue. An identified horse and carriage team and the South Milwaukee streetcar are seen. Smoot’s Photography Studio, 914 Milwaukee Avenue, is seen in the background.
South Milwaukee Cab Company Fleet and Drivers, 1946. The fleet of the South Milwaukee Cab Company with drivers. The second driver from the right is identified as Chester Flancher. The Garden Theater is seen in the background.
South Milwaukee Cab Company Fleet and Drivers, 1946. The fleet of the South Milwaukee Cab Company with drivers. The second driver from the right is identified as Chester Flancher. The Garden Theater is seen in the background.
A Parade (April 27, 1951) honoring the homecoming of Milwaukee of General Douglas MacArthur, two weeks after he was relieved of his duties as Commander of UN Forces in the Korean War. MacArthur’s grandfather lived in Milwaukee and served as Wisconsin’s Lt. Governor and MacArthur considered Milwaukee to be his ancestral home. The South Milwaukee Fire Department, VFW Post, and A & P Super Market store are seen in the background. The original South Milwaukee Public Library building is seen in the upper left corner.
A Parade (April 27, 1951) honoring the homecoming of Milwaukee of General Douglas MacArthur, two weeks after he was relieved of his duties as Commander of UN Forces in the Korean War. MacArthur’s grandfather lived in Milwaukee and served as Wisconsin’s Lt. Governor and MacArthur considered Milwaukee to be his ancestral home. The South Milwaukee Fire Department, VFW Post, and A & P Super Market store are seen in the background. The original South Milwaukee Public Library building is seen in the upper left corner.
Aerial View looking east of Milwaukee Avenue, 1915. The South Milwaukee Depot is seen on the right edge of the picture. This picture was taken from the city water tower.
Aerial View looking east of Milwaukee Avenue, 1915. The South Milwaukee Depot is seen on the right edge of the picture. This picture was taken from the city water tower.
This postcard shows an elevated view west of the stores and buildings along the 1000 block of Milwaukee Avenue. Lichte’s Pharmacy, the New Palace Hotel, and the Garden Theater are among those seen.
This postcard shows an elevated view west of the stores and buildings along the 1000 block of Milwaukee Avenue. Lichte’s Pharmacy, the New Palace Hotel, and the Garden Theater are among those seen.
Max, a three-year-old camel, is pursued by South Milwaukee police near 12th Avenue and Madison Avenue. The animal escaped while on a visit to St. Adalbert School in April 2002 and was loose for about 10 minutes before police cornered him, allowing his handler to grab his reins.
Max, a three-year-old camel, is pursued by South Milwaukee police near 12th Avenue and Madison Avenue. The animal escaped while on a visit to St. Adalbert School in April 2002 and was loose for about 10 minutes before police cornered him, allowing his handler to grab his reins.
A working Ford Model A pickup truck (1927), hauling material on an unidentified South Milwaukee street.
A working Ford Model A pickup truck (1927), hauling material on an unidentified South Milwaukee street.
Vollmer’s Hall and Store (1939), corner of Hawthorne and North Chicago Avenues. A billboard for Mader’s German Restaurant, Milwaukee, is seen in the distance.
Vollmer’s Hall and Store (1939), corner of Hawthorne and North Chicago Avenues. A billboard for Mader’s German Restaurant, Milwaukee, is seen in the distance.
South Milwaukee Block Party Group Photograph, 1957. Families pose during a block party on the 400 block of Menomonee Avenue.
South Milwaukee Block Party Group Photograph, 1957. Families pose during a block party on the 400 block of Menomonee Avenue.
Luebbe Grocery Store (1927), 901 Milwaukee Avenue. Pictured are Unknown, Eddie Baranowki, Art Luebbe, Edward Luebbe.
Luebbe Grocery Store (1927), 901 Milwaukee Avenue. Pictured are Unknown, Eddie Baranowki, Art Luebbe, Edward Luebbe.