Initially dominated by simple renditions of East Coast architecture, Milwaukee developed from three pioneer settlements, those of Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George Walkerthree hubs from which three villages radiated outward into one city. Following the Civil War, Milwaukees growth at the onset of the Industrial Era afforded the city a fanciful array of Victorian streetscapes. The 1890s followed with an era of ethnic architecture in which bold interpretations of German Renaissance Revival and Baroque designs paid homage to Milwaukees overwhelming German population. At the turn of the century, Milwaukees proximity to Chicago influenced the streetscape with classicized civic structures and skyscrapers designed by Chicago architects. World War I and the ensuing anti-German sentiment, as well as Prohibition, inevitably had adverse effects on Brew City. By the 1920s, Milwaukees architecture had assimilated to the national aesthetic, suburban development was on the rise, and architectural growth would soon be stunted by the Great Depression.

As part of the popular Then and Now series, the city of Milwaukee is celebrated with archival photographs shown alongside specially commissioned contemporary images of the same scene. This visual account features over 100 photographs. It shows us how Milwaukee has evolved into the city it is today - a diverse range of architectural styles, where the massive arches of the old Federal Building, sleek lines of late 20th century high-rise offices, and the imposing mansions of Lake Drive all present one fascinating landscape.

Frank Lloyd Wright's foray into affordable housing--the American System-Built Homes--is frequently overlooked. When Nicholas and Angela Hayes became stewards of one of them, they began to unearth evidence that revealed a one-hundred-year-old fiasco fueled by competing ambitions and conflicting visions that eventually gave way to Wright's most creative period.

"Bobby Tanzilo revisits Milwaukee's vintage public schoolhouses, some of the loveliest and most historic buildings extant in the city"--

"Visionaries, researchers, curators, and volunteers launched a massive preservation initiative to salvage fast-disappearing immigrant and migrant architecture. Dozens of historic buildings in the 1970s were transported from various locations throughout the state to the Kettle Moraine State Forest. These buildings created a backdrop against which twenty-first-century interpreters demonstrate nineteenth- and early twentieth-century agricultural techniques and artisanal craftsmanship." --Back cover.

What did early Milwaukeeans do to have fun and relax? This book answers that question, covering pop culture from the mid-1800s up to 1950, from the earliest tavern stages hosting traditional German plays and musicals, to the large traveling circus acts that arrived via the railroad, to the beer gardens, nickelodeons, and old grand cinemas that dominated the city's landscape during the first half of the 20th century. In its heyday, Milwaukee had several classic amusement parks with roller coasters, fun houses, water rides, and more. The first movie was shown in Milwaukee in 1896, and by 1920, there were nearly 100 buildings dedicated to motion pictures. And it was two Milwaukee businessmen who discovered the great Charlie Chaplin and also produced the 1915 epic Birth of a Nation.

From City Hall to the Pabst Theater, reminders of the past are part of the fabric of Milwaukee. Yet many historic treasures have been lost to time. An overgrown stretch of the Milwaukee River was once a famous beer garden. Blocks of homes and apartments replaced the Wonderland Amusement Park. A quiet bike path now stretches where some of fastest trains in the world previously thundered. Today's Estabrook Park was a vast mining operation, and Marquette University covers the old fairgrounds where Abraham Lincoln spoke. Author Carl Swanson recounts these stories and other tales of bygone days.

Remains of earliest German settlements in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- German place names in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- Remains of German commerce in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- Remains of German institutions in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- Remains of German ways of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- German footprints on the physical terrain in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- Efforts to remove German footprints in Milwaukee neighborhoods -- Restoring Milwaukee's German essence.

Get to Know the Wisconsin City’s Most Vibrant and Historic Neighborhoods Milwaukee is richly historic. This savvy, entertaining guide explores the best of it all. Local authors Royal Brevvaxling and Molly Snyder guide you through 31 unique walking tours that traverse Milwaukee’s length and breadth. Dive deep into the city with tours that illuminate its diverse neighborhoods, like the trendy East Side and the country-esque Northridge Lakes. Find everything from legendary Frank Lloyd Wright houses to custard stands to the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These urban treks are great ways to soak in the vibe of Brew City. Inside you’ll find 31 self-guided tours through this amalgam of small town and big city Tips on where to dine, have a drink, and shop Clear neighborhood maps and vital public transportation and parking details Trivia about local culture, neighborhood history, and architecture Each self-guided tour includes full-color photographs, a map, and need-to-know details like distance, difficulty, and more. Route summaries make each walk easy to follow, and a “Points of Interest” section lists the highlights of every tour. Walking Milwaukee provides the perfect path for a weekend or an after-work ramble. So grab your walking shoes, and become an urban adventurer!