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History of Milwaukee
| Long before the first settlers came to this area, the Algonkian Indians had a special name for the land: Millioki, which means "gathering place by the waters." The Indians may have picked the name because they used the area for tribal gatherings or because they observed how three rivers (the Menomonee, the Kinnickinnic and the Milwaukee) met before flowing into the waters of Lake Mie-sit-gan (Michigan). | |
| In 1813 French-Canadian entrepreneur Solomon Juneau arrived in Milwaukee and established the American Fur Company in the heart of downtown. Following in 1834 Milwaukee's two other founding fathers arrived. George Walker settled south of the Menomonee's mouth, and Byron Kilbourn saw the westside of the river as a place to make his fortune. | |
| The three founding fathers did not see eye-to-eye and the results of this rivalry are evident today in downtown streets. Each settler purposely built their streets not to match with the rival's streets across the rivers. Later, when bridges were built, they had to be constructed at oblique angles to connect the roadways. In 1846, after a decade of disagreements, the three men put aside their differences and joined forces to incorporate the City of Milwaukee. | |
| Today, Milwaukee is the 22nd largest city in the United States, with a population of 596,974 in the city and 1.5 million in the metropolitan area. Bordering the western shore of Lake Michigan, just 90 miles north of Chicago, metropolitan Milwaukee offers urban, suburban, ethnic neighborhoods, waterfront, industrial and rural settings within minutes of each other. Milwaukee's skilled workforce, concentration of industry, cultural resources and educational institutions all make it one of the nation's major metropolitan areas. | |
| Over $2.5 billion in development is currently taking place around the city. Much of this growth and development has been fueled by the addition of the Midwest Airlines Center, a $170 million convention facility located in the heart of downtown that combines avant-garde technology with impressive artwork, bringing science and culture together in a remarkable synthesis. | |
| 2001 marked the successful completion of two much anticipated and celebrated projects in Milwaukee. Miller Park, the new home of the National League Milwaukee Brewers, opened in April to sellout crowds. This $400 million, one-of-a-kind ballpark features a convertible roof and natural grass and offers the finest in ballpark amenities including places to tailgate along the Menomonee River, a sports-themed restaurant, and the "Hot Corner" featuring a display showcasing Wisconsin baseball since 1900. | |
| Also completed in 2001 was the $100 million renovation and expansion of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, this addition includes a dramatic wing-like sculpture rising high above the city's lakefront like a bird taking flight, the Cudahy Gardens-- an elegant public space complete with fountains surrounding the facility, a restaurant, and a 300-seat auditorium. This monumental project, an integral component of Milwaukee's current citywide cultural renaissance, was named the Best Design of 2001 by Time Magazine and has literally changed the personality and image of Milwaukee, giving the city an icon for the world to see. | |
Yet Milwaukee's big-city advantages are enhanced by a friendly small-town spirit and Old World charm. The city's neighborhoods weave a patchwork of diversity, as characteristics of the German heritage blend with influences of many other cultures. Italian, Irish, Polish, African American, Hispanic neighborhoods with ethnic restaurants and shops make up the fabric of Milwaukee. Churches, neighborhood shops, Victorian worker's cottages and industrialists' castles abound and lend their neighborhoods a venerable air. In the face of all the progress, the traditions and values that make Milwaukee remain constant. The strongly held ideals of family, ethnic and cultural diversity, and warm hospitality make Milwaukee the genuine destination. | |
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