the streets of old Milwaukee

[low_delta]

It's kind of fun to look at this picture and try to figure out which buildings are still there.

Well... it is for me, anyway.

Edit: Compare this picture. There's only one building in it the appears in the old print. Just to the right of the tall white building, is a building that sits on the spot of an earlier building that looks just like it. In front of that one is what looked like a bell tower. That is the old Federal building, and it existed in 1898.

Comments

[vocalista001.livejournal.com]

yeah, I can see how that'd be fun. It'd be more fun for me with a Milwukeean (what do you call yourselves?) looking at it with me, since, well, I'm ignorant about what any of those buildings are ;-)

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I love old pictures of the city. I'm not really a Milwaukeean, having grown up a Graftonite, but I spend enough time there. It's interesting seeing the ornate old buildings in this picture, that were torn down, and wondering what they really looked like. Like the big reddish-brown church looking thing, just to the left of the big clocktower. What was it and why'd they tear it down? And why does it look like the brown building down and to the right of the clocktower has minarets?

Interesting facts: The building with the towers, that dominates the foreground, is City Hall. You're seen it in the opening of Laverne and Shirley. At the time it was built, it was the tallest building in the world. It's bell could be heard thirty miles away. The foundation consists of 2,584 white pine piles which were driven in to the marshy land next to the Milwaukee River. The water table has lowered, and the piles are now drying out and compressing, causing the building to sink. Some of us have known about this problem for years, but only being in the midst of a $44 million restoration project has caused anybody to try to solve this problem.

You can pretend I'm journaling this for my own notes, if you want. ;-)

Thanks for the second picture!

[vocalista001.livejournal.com]

I love looking at these, and hearing how things have changed. Architectural history does not bore me!

I think I need a field trip to Milwaukee.

Re: Thanks for the second picture!

[synergists.livejournal.com]

Yes! Yes! Come on up! We'll be your tour guides. :)

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

I spent my high school years in the Milwaukee area and often went downtown. I've loved looking at this, Kevin. Do you know if the old Pfister Hotel is still standing? I see it listed and drawn on the map. That was where we stayed teh very first time I went to Milwaukee when I was still in grade school.

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

Yes, the old Pfister hotel is right across the street from my office.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Is it still a hotel?
It was old back then!

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

Yes it is. In fact that's where Kevin and I spent our first wedding anniversary. :)

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

http://cynnerth.livejournal.com/1569190.html

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link! I really enjoyed visiting the old place through your pictures. We didn't know each other on your first wedding anniversary so I appreciate it!
:)