History

City Streets: Paving Prospect Pitted Neighbor Against Neighbor
City Streets

Paving Prospect Pitted Neighbor Against Neighbor

In 1895, neighbors wrestled over an issue: should the street be paved with asphalt or wooden blocks?

Bar Exam: Harbor Room Is Classic Gay Men’s Bar
Bar Exam

Harbor Room Is Classic Gay Men’s Bar

Its colorful 108-year history charts the rise and fall of a dense manufacturing neighborhood.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The Mansion Where Scandal Brewed
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The Mansion Where Scandal Brewed

The wife of the Pabst Brewery's co-owner had a scandalous affair in this fine Italianate mansion.

City Streets: Farwell Developed Due To Streetcar
City Streets

Farwell Developed Due To Streetcar

And was named after the man who claimed he saved Vice-president Andrew Johnson.

Bar Exam: O’Lydia’s Has 99-Year History
Bar Exam

O’Lydia’s Has 99-Year History

The atmospheric, old-style tavern still has the original floor, tin ceiling and back bar.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Philip Best Brewery’s Moorish-Style Facility
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Philip Best Brewery’s Moorish-Style Facility

The old bottling plant still stands today. By 1885 the future Pabst Brewing moved to Downtown.

City Streets: Wells Street Has Quite a History
City Streets

Wells Street Has Quite a History

That includes the impact of plutocrat Daniel Wells, Greta Garbo and an Irish/German riot.

Bar Exam: Major Goolsby’s, Still a Great Sports Bar
Bar Exam

Major Goolsby’s, Still a Great Sports Bar

One of nation's first, where Charles Barkley and Reggie Jackson, among others, hung out.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Philip Best & Co. Brewery, 1880
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Philip Best & Co. Brewery, 1880

Already the world's largest brewer, the company would soon be renamed the Pabst Brewing Co.

City Business: How Bliffert Lumber Got Into Hardware
City Business

How Bliffert Lumber Got Into Hardware

The lumber company, which goes back to the 1870s, now has a popular hardware store in Riverwest.

City Streets: Broadway, the Street of Tragedies
City Streets

Broadway, the Street of Tragedies

Three of the most tragic incidents in city history happened on Broadway.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Last Days of Melms Brewery, 1869
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Last Days of Melms Brewery, 1869

It would be taken over by the Pabst Brewery, soon to become a manufacturing colossus.