Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Milwaukee Journal, About 1917
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Milwaukee Journal, About 1917

Then located on fourth street near Wisconsin Ave., the crusading newspaper had no shortage of delivery vehicles.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Badger Cab Co., 1926
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Badger Cab Co., 1926

By the 1920s horses were largely gone and motorized taxicabs were fighting each other for customers.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Milwaukee Fire Department, 1912
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Milwaukee Fire Department, 1912

A fleet of GM Cartercars at the downtown Engine House One, located on Broadway since 1872.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Chapman’s Biggest Department Store
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Chapman’s Biggest Department Store

The third Chapman's store was built in 1885 and would remain in business nearly a century.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Inside T.A. Chapman’s, 1873
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Inside T.A. Chapman’s, 1873

Chapman's, the city's first department store for upscale buyers, was the last word in elegance for Milwaukee.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Chapman’s Second Store, 1870s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Chapman’s Second Store, 1870s

Located on E. Wisconsin and Milwaukee St., it was the city's premier department store, easily withstanding the Panic of 1873.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: T. A. Chapman Late 1860s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

T. A. Chapman Late 1860s

Long before Gimbel's and Boston Store, T.A. Chapman was the city's department store. This is its first location.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Wolcott & Gregg Sewing Machine Store
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Wolcott & Gregg Sewing Machine Store

Located on E. Wisconsin near what is now the Iron Block building, the store offered an item that was greatly desired.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The Wheeler & Wilson Emporium, 1870s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The Wheeler & Wilson Emporium, 1870s

The company manufactured sewing machines, and this was the interior of its Downtown store.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: The Great Storm of 1871
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

The Great Storm of 1871

The city got buried in snow in 1871 and a well-known photographer was there to record it.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Courthouse Square Fountain, Late 1880s
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Courthouse Square Fountain, Late 1880s

Created by Casper Hennecke, it became the subject of a popular Milwaukee postcard.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: East Town and Second Courthouse, 1875
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

East Town and Second Courthouse, 1875

The modest skyline at the time was also dominated by St. John's Cathedral, before its first tower was replaced.