City of Neighborhoods is the most comprehensive account of grassroots Milwaukee ever published. Based on a popular series of posters published by the City of Milwaukee in the 1980s, the book features both historical chronicles and contemporary portraits of 37 neighborhoods that emerged before World War II, an ensemble that defines the historic heart of the city.

For our discussion, we will focus on the Menomonee River Valley chapter (p 31-45) and the drastic changes to the Valley’s landscape since European settlers first set foot in Milwaukee. Milwaukee’s Valley was once the homeland to Native American tribes. As the city developed into the Machine Shop of the World in the 1800s and 1900s, the Valley was its engine with hundreds of companies and thousands of jobs. It’s always been a place where nature and industry have intersected, at times more harmoniously than others. It’s also been a place of sustenance for industries and the people from surrounding neighborhoods who worked in those industries.

Many of today’s Milwaukeeans recall the intense olfactory experience as they approached the Valley in their youth and others remember watching the trains from the 35th street viaduct. What are your memories of the Valley? How has your perception changed over time? If you have time, we encourage you to read the chapters on neighborhoods adjacent to the Valley that are of interest to you as our neighborhoods intersect and impact each other.

Merrill Park – p75
Pigsville – p85
Story Hill – p95
Walker’s Point – p341
Clarke Square – p343
Silver City – p367

We are sure to have a lively discussion based on your experiences of these Milwaukee neighborhoods!

How to Get the Book

Support local at Boswell Books
Support local at Historic Milwaukee: online or in-store for 50% off until the end of 2020
Milwaukee Public Library

Supplementary Material: Encyclopedia of Milwaukee articles

Menomonee Valley
Merrill Park
Pigsville
Story Hill

More to Come

This is the second book discussion in the Milwaukee Must Reads series sponsored by Historic Milwaukee, Menomonee Valley Partners, the Milwaukee Public Library, and Boswell Books. Join us in March as we explore The Notorious Life of Dirty Helen Cromwell and her spectacular reputation right here in Milwaukee.