Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: When Boston Store Was Big
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

When Boston Store Was Big

It's the end of an era for a downtown department store whose history dates to 1897.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Sherman Park Has Been a Melting Pot
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Sherman Park Has Been a Melting Pot

Tracing the neighborhood’s German, Jewish and African American heritage.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The Rise and Fall of Bronzeville
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The Rise and Fall of Bronzeville

At its peak in the 1930s to 1950s, it had quite a history.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The World’s Largest Shipper of Wheat
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The World’s Largest Shipper of Wheat

Two steamers, the Milwaukee and the Detroit, probably shipping wheat, 1867.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Sailing Vessels and Steamers, 1860s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Sailing Vessels and Steamers, 1860s

Marine commerce thrived by then, but lost ships and passengers were not uncommon.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Milwaukee & Rock River Canal, 1870
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Milwaukee & Rock River Canal, 1870

Near what is now Cherry St., and the fabulous Notre Dame convent atop the hill.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Milwaukee’s Canal, Mid 1860s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s Canal, Mid 1860s

The canal was one mile long, but never grew as the company went bankrupt.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Milwaukee River Dam, 1850s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Milwaukee River Dam, 1850s

The dam was built to help create the proposed canal connecting city to the Mississippi.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The Fabulous Peirce & Whaling Hardware
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The Fabulous Peirce & Whaling Hardware

Circa 1873, a celebrated company located on what is now Plankinton and Michigan.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The Largest Hardware Store in America
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The Largest Hardware Store in America

John Nazro's huge hardware store was in a building still located at 2nd and Seeboth.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Independent Milwaukee Brewery, c. 1901
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Independent Milwaukee Brewery, c. 1901

Its best-known beer, Braumeister, lasted into the 1990s.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Welcome Park in Whitefish Bay
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Welcome Park in Whitefish Bay

Guido Pfister created the park and beer garden at the streetcar stop in Whitefish Bay.