Mason Street at Lakefront, 1868
Before the days of Prospect Avenue mansions, the lakefront sported modest frame houses on an eroding, sandy bluff.
From the late 1870s until early into the 20th century Prospect Avenue became a prime place to build a mansion. Sadly, all too few of these grand residences remain today. But in earlier years properties with a Lake Michigan view were hardly prime real estate. The lakefront parks did not exist and the lake bluff was little more than eroded sand, thanks to fluctuating lake levels.
Jeff Beutner is a collector of photographs, postcards and stereoviews of old Milwaukee. This column features these images, with historical commentary by Beutner.
Yesterday's Milwaukee
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When Boston Store Was Big
Apr 18th, 2018 by Jeff Beutner -
Sherman Park Has Been a Melting Pot
Aug 25th, 2017 by Jill Florence Lackey, PhD -
The Rise and Fall of Bronzeville
Aug 5th, 2017 by Jill Florence Lackey, PhD
Looks to me like the Couture site is out of water and on land in this view.
To Mr. Horne or other Milwaukeeans in the know,
Could anyone explain the history behind the Preserve our Parks group and principals? I understand the need to protect the public space along the lake front, but the opposition to the Transit center site seems…strange…
Thank you.
I love little gems of history like this.
wonderful info. gerew up in milwukee, loved it. went to riverside, 1961. robin meister was my football mate and classmate. i was a lifegard @ bradford beach and grew up with summers on “bare ass” beach north of filtration plant. loved the town. sad to see the teabiskets have ruined a once proud and prosperous state. get rid of most of the state gov and the fasceist govenor and you have a good start on cleaning up this horrible mess.