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They tore down the historic Sydney Hih, in Milwaukee. People were fighting to keep it, but it had deteriorated past the point of saving. Originally, part of it was known as the Senn building, home of pioneering surgeon, Dr. Nicholas Senn. I posted about him a couple of months ago. link
Starting in the seventies, the small complex of buildings became home to some of Milwaukee's counterculture scene. Ethnic and health food restaurants, artists, and a bar or three, among others. Even a pirate radio station, in the late nineties. Here's a link to a photo gallery.
In the basement was a punk rock club. The Unicorn was famous. Last night, at my photo club meeting, a guy's presentation included a bit on his research into the building's history. After the meeting, he was talking with some people about it. Jessica said she used to go there all the time, and dance and stage dive (I thought, "it was big enough for a stage?"). Tina said she was there to see the Smashing Pumpkins, the last time they played there. She asked Jessica if she'd been there, and she replied, "I don't know. Maybe?" Tina said the place got so hot the red paint was coming off the floor and getting all over her shoes. Jessica said the walls and ceiling were always wet and dripping with condensation.
Seems like I had posted this before, but who knows when, so here it is (again).
I wasn't into the scene when it was still a scene, but I went to the Unicorn in the mid nineties, when it was nearing the end of its life. A local singer/songwriter that I liked was playing there, so I went down. It was on the corner of Third and Juneau, but all that was there was Betty's Bead Bank. I looked around, and occasionally, someone was around the back of the building. Back there was a door, with a single light bulb above it. Someone went through, so I figured maybe that was it. Through the door were stairs leading down to what looked like someone's basement. Black and white tile on the floor, and some old couches with kids hanging out. I hesitated, and went down. It was, in fact, the place.
I'm having a little trouble remembering now, but there were four rooms. The second was the bar. The third and fourth were the stage area. An old urban building made of stone and brick. The rooms had originally been more-or-less separate, with parts of the walls broken down to connect them. The stage area seemed cramped. Low ceiling, not much room for a stage or patrons. Everything was painted black or red. The second time I was there, it was all light blue inside. Not too much later, it became a leather and denim bar, and that one didn't last too long, as far as I know. RIP Unicorn.
Anybody who was anybody in the Alternative scene played the Unicorn. So did those weren't anybody. Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. Many big names from the national and local scene. The kind of place known as Heaven in retrospect.
Starting in the seventies, the small complex of buildings became home to some of Milwaukee's counterculture scene. Ethnic and health food restaurants, artists, and a bar or three, among others. Even a pirate radio station, in the late nineties. Here's a link to a photo gallery.
In the basement was a punk rock club. The Unicorn was famous. Last night, at my photo club meeting, a guy's presentation included a bit on his research into the building's history. After the meeting, he was talking with some people about it. Jessica said she used to go there all the time, and dance and stage dive (I thought, "it was big enough for a stage?"). Tina said she was there to see the Smashing Pumpkins, the last time they played there. She asked Jessica if she'd been there, and she replied, "I don't know. Maybe?" Tina said the place got so hot the red paint was coming off the floor and getting all over her shoes. Jessica said the walls and ceiling were always wet and dripping with condensation.
Seems like I had posted this before, but who knows when, so here it is (again).
I wasn't into the scene when it was still a scene, but I went to the Unicorn in the mid nineties, when it was nearing the end of its life. A local singer/songwriter that I liked was playing there, so I went down. It was on the corner of Third and Juneau, but all that was there was Betty's Bead Bank. I looked around, and occasionally, someone was around the back of the building. Back there was a door, with a single light bulb above it. Someone went through, so I figured maybe that was it. Through the door were stairs leading down to what looked like someone's basement. Black and white tile on the floor, and some old couches with kids hanging out. I hesitated, and went down. It was, in fact, the place.
I'm having a little trouble remembering now, but there were four rooms. The second was the bar. The third and fourth were the stage area. An old urban building made of stone and brick. The rooms had originally been more-or-less separate, with parts of the walls broken down to connect them. The stage area seemed cramped. Low ceiling, not much room for a stage or patrons. Everything was painted black or red. The second time I was there, it was all light blue inside. Not too much later, it became a leather and denim bar, and that one didn't last too long, as far as I know. RIP Unicorn.
Anybody who was anybody in the Alternative scene played the Unicorn. So did those weren't anybody. Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. Many big names from the national and local scene. The kind of place known as Heaven in retrospect.
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no subject
Date: 2012-08-16 11:47 am (UTC)From:It seems that the punk scene isn't fondly remembered by people who are of an age to close down buildings... or the punk rockers aren't that active in zoning laws and such.
But don't worry, maybe they'll rebuild it; they did in Savannah, GA for A MOVIE or in Vegas as a potential theme park.
It's true for New York more than anyplace, but I think it's also true for most major cities: the only constant is change.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-16 12:22 pm (UTC)From:I worked in Sidney Hih for a short time there. It was a firetrap and a roach hotel and an unsavory element lived upstairs but it's still sad to know it's gone.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-16 01:03 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2012-08-16 05:21 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2012-08-16 05:27 pm (UTC)From:The building may been saved if it were structurally sound. Someone had plans for it up until early this year, but they fell through. The building has been vacant for quite some time. The thing that bugs people the most about it being torn down, is that there are no plans for the site. It was the only building on the two square blocks. The city wanted to get rid of the buildings just to make the land look more attractive.
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Date: 2012-08-16 08:13 pm (UTC)From: