Eyes on Milwaukee
New Tavern Planned for Downtown
1885 building near Bradley Center will convert to lounge and beer garden.
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1885 building near Bradley Center will convert to lounge and beer garden. Back to the full article.
Photos - Page 2
With Tillman as a bartender, I’m sure they’re poised for success.
There is no such thing as an “upscale-hole-in-the-wall”. Try again.
I found this article to be very interesting……..in 1909 my Great Uncle John and his brother-in-law had a saloon where the Upper 90 Sports Pub is now located
Smart move hiring Josh Tillman as barkeep.
While viewing this circa 1885 building on Google InstantStreetView, I was struck by the familiar sense of loss I feel whenever any building of the era is either torn down, or remodeled beyond recognition, as appears to be the imminent fate here. I palpably feel it’s history, without benefit of verification.
I can hear the horses, faithfully drawing their wagons. I can smell the noxious odors. I can see “live” people wearing newsboy caps, and literally, bringing home the bacon after downing a pail of PBR, or any of the others.
I realize that this particular building, a stalwart remnant of what I call “Milwaukee Shantytown” commercial architecture (with the previously “upgraded” façade notwithstanding) is of no great beauty or known significance, especially when compared to the far “prettier sister” one address east.
It seems to me that this place deserves a more fitting eulogy than I can provide, for it’s quiet, and many, hardworking years in service to the city; as only it’s skeleton seems destined to remain.
Who were the early people? When was the apartment added? Where did the last tenants go?
Without apparent embellishments of leaded glass, tinned or coved ceilings, or conversationally relevant ancient urinals et al, (who knows?) my query may not be under the purview of, say, Michael Horne, who has delighted us often with real estate details of yore.
Maybe Carl Baehr, with his wonderful series of vintage photos, articles and books, highlighting Milwaukee’s Yesteryears is my default choice as eulogist for this modest property, imagined here as a gently plain, rather dowdy, and lonely old girl currently slated for a tasteful new “hairdo and dress, handbag and shoes.”
That said, I do realize that time marches on. Plus, I actually like and support the renderings provided here by UM. They appear to exemplify an inescapable, yet contemporary and attractive “yin” to it’s eastern neighbor’s original “yang” for the years to follow. Not so much a bad thing. Here’s hoping..
P.S. Who is Josh Tillman?
Terry Kiley, I enjoyed your comments and feel the same way. Too often the “old” is thrown out (razed) or seriously changed without any thought of who came before us.