Came to Milwaukee from England i

Came to Milwaukee from England in 1967,
with my husband and two children, Nancy and Jimmy. I worked for a while at my sister's greenhouse, Olde English Greenhouse on Silver Spring Road, the 5500 block. My family moved to Wauwatosa that year and ran Times Florist on 83rd and North. My son, Jimmy, died aged 14 in 1969, my heart was full of thanks to those wonderful people who ran the business for us for several days but who brought food, concern and caring to us. Each prom I would "adopt" a boy to fill a little of the hole in my heart, and he got a special corsage or colonial bouquet to present to his date.

During this time I had several young people who worked for me on a programme from the local high school, Wauwatosa East. When I announced that I was leaving several mothers offered to work for nothing "if you would keep the clinic open." Those young people found it easier to talk to me than to their parents, it has always been the case. What those mothers didn't know was that those young people helped heal me.

I eventually moved to an apartment on 95th street and ended up with a group of wonderful young Christians coming to my home, blessing my apartment with their presence. This was from St. Lukes Episcopal church on S. Herman. Eventually we moved to the church when a new young minister came to assist.

My husband and I were divorced, often the result of a child's death, later met and married my present husband, Ron Bukowski who was a fireman in Cudahy. We now live in central Florida, have lived here for 20 years. We always say the Milwaukee area is a great place to raise children; ours live in Cudahy, Menomonee Fall, South Milwaukee and Franklin. Our grand children are all being raised there and are consequently getting good educations.

Reading the items on the web site was so great, brought back a lot of memories. Olde English has moved out to Waukesha and is now run by my sister's son and daughter. I worked at Wisconsin Memorial Park as a counselor and was chapter leader of Compassionate Friends, a support group for bereaved parents. It was a very satisfying and healing time for me. In helping others you help yourself.

My husband loved Al's Custard Stand, opposite the Airport. Good custard. So many good places to eat, from the most reasonable to the more exorbitant - they all have their place. Thank you, for reviving some of the best times of my life. Joan Aford Bukowski

Hi, I grew up in Milwaukee.
I remember Schusters on Mitchell Street, also Hills Dept. store. Goldmans Dept. store is still a fixture on Mitchell Street. Schusters had the hot caramel corn. I remember the Plaza theatre on 13th & Oklahoma Ave. You could go on a Sunday afternoon and see two movies plus news, and a cartoon. That, of course, is no longer there. Neither is the Avalon theatre where I experienced my lst kiss at age 16 in the darkened theatre that had the star studded ceiling. The Avalon building is still there, but not operating as a theatre. Modjeska Theatre on Mitchell Street is still there and operating as live theatre. The Schusters Christmas parade on Mitchell Street which was just the right size for small children fidgeting. Mad Man Michaels on WOKY was a great disc jockey. The dime stores on Lincoln Ave. and also Woolworths dime store where I worked during my junior and senior years while going to high school . Don Bosco High School is gone, so is Mercy High School, and St. Mary's High School, also Notre Dame High School no longer high schools. The natatoriums where you could go swimming or just take a shower, no longer there. Used to take a street car ride on Wells Street. They are thinking of bringing the street cars back. Also on 6th & Oklahoma up on the trestle tracks used to be what we call the dinkey line. Only cost 5 cents to ride which was cheaper than the street car ride. Earlier, like in the 40's I remember the peddler with his truck selling vegetables, the man who sharpened knives for you, the rag man collecting rags going thru the alley and calling lumpy, lumpy, or something like that. I remember the milk man delivering milk in bottles and in winter how the cream froze on top and it was like eating ice cream. I remember the iceman coming and putting ice in the ice box in our kitchen. Lots of memories!!! CJJ still in the Milwaukee area.

Thanks for a really terrific job in making me feel OLD!!
I loved every nuance of it. Your site is a way of seeing into my past, a history in
Milwaukee that began at birth in 1947, and continues to this day. Even
though I left Milwaukee in 1974, my family remains there, and the
connection will never be broken. I know I will return to your site to
relive and remember a simpler time and place, before we realized that
the future we dreamed of would become the present we try to cope with.

I am appreciative;

Thom Butenhoff
Oil City, Louisiana

Loved the site!
I was born and raised in Milwaukee. I grew up in Bay View. My list could go on and on but the things I remember most are:
 Swimming at Saveland Park in the kiddy pool
 Getting ice cream at boy blue (twinkle cones…yum)
 Eating at Big Boy on Layton Ave
 Going to Skyway Cinema
 Going bowling at Red Carpet Lanes
 Seeing movies at the Avalon (loved the stars on the ceiling)
 Going to Dutchland Dairy
 Going to the little café next to Walgreens in Southgate Mall…
 …Then shopping at Woolworth’s (2 levels)
 Grebe’s Bakery (my mom worked at the one downtown)
 Blue Jay bowl on Howell Ave
 Ben Franklin on Howell Ave that turned into a Mainstream Records
 Lake Band (I was a member forever)
 Can’t forget Farrell’s at Southridge
Anonymous please!!

Wow- what a great site!!
Had a friend send me this link. We are going back to take our kids on college tours. So exciting there may be another generation enjoying the great city!! Grew up on the East Side most of my life. Grade school-Hartford Ave. So fun to hang out at UWM as a kid- hide and seek in the library!! Went to Riverside High and then on to UWM before moving to northern WI. WAs gone many years but now come back at least once a year. Rediscovered Summerfest!! I remember when the Beach Boys played in the pouring rain and the seating consisted of bleachers in the mud!! So many great memories here!! Big Boy- Snirkles (though found Slap Stick which is a fair sub), trick or treating on different nights in the suburbs, cannolis, cream puffs, the Beer that made Milwaukee famous (and most gone now), Red Barn on Oakland and IHOP, Bradford Beach- Mr. Bradford, ice skating at Lake Pk, the UWM football team (one of the ex players was on the Houston Oilers and then vice prez of the Packers -now in Seattle with Holgrem), the Brewers and hanging out at the bullpen in the bleachers talking to Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, etc, Ellie Rodriguez and Billy Travers, Lew Alcindor, the cotton candy truck that went down Lake St, Sampson and the zoo (still a great zoo), Brady Street and many nights at the Up and Under, rugby and soccer at the lake front, the great fireworks, the diversity of the city, and so much more!!! I go back and my kids have to endure endless tours of my youth!!!
Great site and lots of great memories!!
Renee Erickson

I remember all these places
as I am 74 years of age and have lived in Milwaukee for the last 68 years. I remember gas prices at .22 per gallon.
My first new car was a Ford Fairlane bought for $2218.00 at Soren's Ford on 20th and National. I lived all over the South side, at least 20 different addresses on the south side near 21st and Mitchell Street.
Kreske's dime store was at Southgate which opened in 1951. First Mall in Milwaukee. That's really a trip down memory lane. Keep up the good web site. Thank you. Jerry also known as "Duke" on the south side.

Got my start in life up on Hadley Street.
We moved to Clement Ave and Potter then to Saveland Ave. long before there were many homes out there. Had fun burning the field down and getting a good spanking for that. Wenzel’s tavern was on the corner. Remember Carpenter Bread had a train that came around advertising Mrs. Carpenter’s bread. We went to the Aragon Theater to see “The Wizard of Oz” when it first came out. Got scared as hell when that house fell and those red shoes wiggled under it. They used to come around with a pony so you could get your picture taken. Started at Tippecanoe school later to Humboldt Park. Collecting newspapers for the “war” effort got us out of class. We saved our coins to buy stamps to fill in a book and buy a “war bond”. We spent lots of time ice skating in Humboldt Park. By then we lived on Clement. Grandpa owned the house. Across the street was “Nickles Grocery”. They had a lunch counter and the men from the Nash plant would rush in there for a quick lunch. Mrs. Nickles and son Louie ran the place. You could get a cold “Dad’s” root beer for a nickel. Remember the summers that we were quarantined because of “polio”. We used to wait on the corner Saturday to get a pass from people that weren’t going to use it any more, and go “bus” riding. We’d take turns. Halloween was always fun. Some kids soaped windows as a prank , some had “Pea Shooters’. One of our favorite places to play was the dump behind the “Milwaukee Drop Forge”. Going down to “South Shore” to swim was treat and on our way we’d stand on the foot bridge behind the drop forge and wait for a steam engine to pass under. Had a friend whose dad ran the projector at the Avalon and he let us sit in the projection booth free. Went to Borchardt Orchard to see the “Brewers” on Sundays. They used to telegraph the away games for the play-by-play. Had a friend whose dad work for Western Union and we’d sit up on top watching the game. Did a lot of skating at the Palomar. There was a guy there that would clamp the rented skates on your shoes (shoes had hard soles then). He had a can next to his chair and once in awhile we’d tip him 35 cents. Grew up some then and went to Bay View High. Matthei was always preaching about smoking and fat people. He’d always have us run around the lagoon on the hottest days. We had to get in shape to run from the airport up Pine Ave. Went swimming bare assed in that pool at school, I swear they filled it with ice cubes.
Got a junker later on and we went up to Vito’s for pizza.
Remember taking the #11 and the 18. Spent a lot early time walking downtown and on Mitchell. Stopping for a “White Castle” burger on Wisconsin Ave. The museum was a favorite place as well as Washington Park. Looking at the gators and smelling the lion house and having a ball at “monkey island”
Remember the snow storm of 1947. No body moved. There was no big equipment then. They used to plow the side walk with a horse and a heavy “v” shape sled. My dad used to get so mad because you could not get that horse to walk in a straight line and it would tear up the grass as it cleared the sidewalk. Remember the horse barns, when we went down the alley to the show at the Avalon we’d walk by the barns and get scared by the horses. They collected the garbage with horse drawn wagons then and the milk man had a horse too. Remember the “rumppy man “ he picked up rags. The big event was going to a high school football game and “Ta Ta Ribi” would be there. Did you have a bottle of American Soda? $1.00 a case plus a buck for the bottles. I was lucky to work there for a time, delivering beer and soda on the south side. Soda was a buck 20 delivered. Good beer was $3.13 a case but you could get “Peoples Beer” for $2.33. They had 33 kinds of beer in the store. Remember when “Bullfrog Beer” came in at $1.98 a case? I drove an old 1940 Chevy truck no heater for delivery. Had a few bucks between working and attending UWM downtown and liked going to Jim Diamonds in the Republican Hotel for a steak at $3.95. Remember “Goldfish War surplus? Learned how to bowl at the Blue Jay and Silver City on National. We had a coal furnace no forced air some people even had “ice boxes” , the guy on the corner was an ice man. Remember the South Side Armory and the wrestling matches, Billy Goelz and Gypsy Joe. The “Packers” played at State Fair Park and Marquette had a football team. When we finally got a real baseball team you could go to the game with anything you could carry to drink. Every tavern had bus trips to the game and the booze and beer was flowing. Then came the big “beer strike” in Milwaukee, what a panic that caused. People started drinking beer they never heard of. Almost every small town had a brewery or two and these breweries started to send in their stock. It wasn’t long after that the big guys settled. The Braves left town and we not happy with that “big shot” that moved them. Perinii’s woods was gone. Remember going sled riding down that big hill from the VA where they had a toboggan ride before County Stadium was built? And there was a ski jump there too.
They guys wore “drapes” and “field jackets” , “day glow” socks, and the girls had “poodle” skirts.
I am writing a book here. Can you relate?

I was born at the old Sinai Hospital
on 27th and Wells in December of 1951. I lived in Cudahy until my 20's now a resident of Milwaukee, but remember all the things from the retro Milwaukee pages. Here's a few I would l like to add. "It's a draw" show on Sundays. Some other Sunday show where they read the Sunday Comics. Going all the way downtown for Chinese Food, Moy's on Wells. Caravel, the first soft serve ice cream, for a quarter you could watch your cone get piled with chocolate or vanilla, only to drip it on the back seat of your dad's 54 Chevy with the ropes hanging from the back seat. The hump in the back of the cars where the transmission was, a nice line of demarcation between you and your siblings on long road trips to Browne's Lake. The Rag man who road through the allies with his horse and wagon, one yelling out "rrragggs" next day "straaaw berrrries". When allies were a safe place for kids to play. The few neighbors within the many block area one would travel on Halloween Night who didn't give out candy. Candy bars for 3 cents that were called Lunch Bars. The early buffets called Scanda House. Grebe's free cakes if you got a star on your receipt, I won several. The auditorium being full of parents on PTA night. Joining the Knot Hole Club for the Braves, it entitled you to get out of school on opening day. Going to the show with my dollar allowance, getting in for 50 cents, popcorn 35 cents and a soda for 15 cents, and then seeing two movies with cartoons in the middle. The early days of McDonald's, only boys were hired, a quarter would get you a hamburger and fries. Omar Bakeries who delivered to your house like the milk man. The goods would stay put on your porch until you got them and the bakery would be warm, the milk cold. Thank you for the opportunity to remember so much of my past
Sandra (Magestro) Fair

My Grandfather’s brother, Fred O’Connor
owned O’Connor’s sporting goods on Wisconsin Avenue through the forties, I believe. What’s interesting is that he also started the first professional basketball team in Milwaukee, called the Milwaukee Brightspots.

I haven’t had a chance to visit the Milwaukee Journal micro-fiche to look up any references, pictures and so on about this team. Just curious to know if you’ve ever heard of the Brightspots and if you could help me with some research…?

Thanks,

Tim O’Connor

Grew up in Milwaukee in the 70's-80's,
worked at Captains Steak Joint on Capitol and then at Northridge. Remember the dj on weekend nights. 2 fish fries and a liter of beer for $7.95 on Friday nights. Wisc. Skate University by Treasure Island out towards what were the outskirts of town. All the Greasers back in the 70's. The yearly rumble at Marshall High school between the Greasers and the Freaks. Ice skating at Dineen park. Packer games at County stadium.
Left the city back in 1984 but get back a couple of times a year.
Bill Ley

I'm an interloper on this site
as I just found it due to an email I
received from my Niece - Pat Loeber.
My memories go back a little further than most of what I read on the
site so far. I was born in Milwaukee on Teutonia Ave. near North in an
upper flat that did not have Electricity when I was born. We had Gas
lights.
I was born in 1923 a few years before most of you and my memories go
back quite a ways. I attended Siefert School as a kid and Ice Skated
at the rink they made when flooding the play ground. The warming shed
produced a lot of memories for me.
Went to West Division High School. Was an Usher at the Colonial
Theatre on Vliet St. when I lived on 21st Vliet.
One of my fondest memories was when I entered the Amateur Contest at
Riverside Theatre and met Eddie Howard who heard me sing and gave me his
business care and told me to look him up when I graduated from High
School. By the way, I won first prize that night in the Amateur
Hour. Of course, World War 2 came along and I entered the army and
became a Paratrooper and went Overseas and after the war spent some real
nice times in France and Germany. I ended up being a First Sgt. so I
pretty much could do just about anything I wanted to do after the war.
Well, moved from Milwaukee to live in Eagle Springs, WI on a lake there
and from there moved to California. Came back to Milwaukee in 1956 and
lived in Brown Deer before Milwaukee annexed it. Finally moved from
Milwaukee in 1970 to FL. Moved several times after that and lived in CO,
OR, SC and now retired in AR where I went to College while taking flight
training before volunteering for the Paratroops. Well, not much of a
story about Milwaukee but I bet I wouldn't know the city if I returned.
I haven't been back to Milwaukee since 1970, however, my heart still
skips a beat when I get mail from my buddies who still live there and
with whom I grew up with.

Russ Klein

Great Web Site. I remember almost every memory that was listed.
Some that I remember are: Goldman's on Mitchell Street. If they didn't have what you were looking for then it wasn't made. The was grocery store between 48th & 49th and North Avenue. When a larger store opened a few blocks away the store was turned to a family style pool hall. I don't remember how much per hour, but it wasn't expensive. Same area was the Uptown theater. I remember getting 50 cents for cleaning my room. It was 25 cents to get in and with the rest I could get a snack and a pop. Across for the theater there was a small coffee shop. I believe it was called Pap's. They had mini juke boxes on the table. The same area there was a Toy's Restaurant on Lisbon. There was a Fanny Farmer candy shop and a place to store your fur coats (what would PETA say about that?). There was a Walgreens on 48th and North where we used to go after school for the Cherry Coke phosphate for a quarter. Walgreens went out and a Bavarian store went in.. They had a candy called a "Ice Cube." In those days it cost 2 cents, Well, they now sell them in some stores and the price is not 2 cents, but 25 cents. Following down east there was Kehr Candy. They made their chocolates by hand. The chocolate was dipped and each swirl was different for all their candies. Same area we had a "dime store." I think it was a Woolworth. Like someone else said "Candy Raisins." Are we seeing a pattern here? I knew where all the "food" places were. Meuers Bakery on North Ave. When anybody in our family had a birthday we ordered any kind of cake we wanted. Ninos Steak House (several locations). Their salad dressings were so famous that they began selling it in jars so you could have it on your salad at home. George Web - their famous chili and specials on burgers - 10 for a buck. Down on the south side you couldn't forget Victors." Best lobster in town. Of course there was no "Market" value back then. A straight price all the time. I remember a TV program called "Winky Dink & Me" and my brothers vying for the TV spot. My parents bought a film screen that would be put on the TV and they had a Grease pencil of some sort where you could draw along with the hosts. When it was time for Pop's & the "Three Stooges" they had a projection man that the audience said " Roll 'em Lester." This was pretty funny because my Dad's name was Lester. He really enjoyed it. There was a small Ice Cream stand on 48th & Vliet. We would get there some times and have to wait for it to open. It was across the street from the police department. Also on Vliet there was a restaurant called the Golden Zither. If you went there for dinner (which was great) they would have a little floor show with the Zither and Accordion. I remember the State Fair in the late 70's. No admission for the shows. We waited at the music stage and run like the wind to get the first row seats. No charge in those days. There was the little popcorn wagon operated under the name of "Spicers." Best popcorn ever. They used coconut oil. Didn't worry about our cholesterol back then. They were outside the door at one of the downtown theaters (also "Buddy Nut Shops). Can you imagine carrying your own snacks in a theater these days? I also remember a tavern called the Cave. They had shag carpet on the floor and also on the walls & ceiling. Very weird. I remember a restaurant with the name Captain something. They would have all you can eat fried shrimp dinner. Boy, when we came in we did have a lot to eat. I remember that the liquor store would deliver cases of beer, and pop. Home delivery of Sealtest. We did have a door for milk, but we never used it. Garbage men would walk up our driveway to get the cans of garbage, dumped it in the truck & walked up the drive again to bring the cans back. That luxury definitely wouldn't work today. Taking the city bus downtown and needed a transfer, and saying "Punch me double, I'm going to Schusters." The band shell in Washington Park. Pay to get a seat, or sit on the grass outside the fenced area. Music still could be heard - no difference, and as kids, going searching for loose change that had fallen out of men's pants. Pretty good performances too. Mario Lanza, Steve and Eddie Gormet to name a few. Going on field trips with both of my brothers boy scout troops to the Wonder Bread Factory. We'd see how the bread was made, got to taste it, and were given a miniature loaf of bread, Twinkies, and a cardboard shaped delivery trunk bank. I bowled on "Bowling for Dollars." If you got a strike I don't remember how much money was won, but I do remember getting $8.00 for 8 pins down. I remember the "rag" man, the knife sharpener man, and of course the corn on the cob man selling fruit and vegetables. I remember going to the tavern with my grandpa on a Sunday afternoon. A cold Orange soda or a Root Beer and "Blind Robbins." Do they still make them I wonder? Going out around Christmas time driving through Washington Highlands looking at decorations. That was a pretty ritzy area in those days. Fashion wise I remember the bell bottoms. When my brother was in the Navy he got me an actual pair of wool bell bottoms. Wow, what a trip down memory lane. I enjoyed your website, and will check it out often to see any updates. H. G. Winter, WI.
Winky Dink & You was the first interactive show on TV.

Winky Dink was an animated character, voiced by Mae Questal (Olive Oyl). Kids could get clear plastic sheets to place over the TV screen and draw things to interact with the show. No one knows just how many kids drew directly on the TV screen. Click on Winky Dink to hear the 1955 TV show theme song.

There are many things I remember about Milwaukee.
I'm 59 years old, & remember my dad's youngest sister, Eileen, leaving the farm north of Kewaskum, shortly out of high school, to go to beautician's school in the big city of Milwaukee. Her sister, my aunt Clara, would take us down there in her '53 Buick to visit with her on Sunday morning, & we wouldn't get back home 'til late Sunday night. Aunt Eileen was sharing an apartment with 3 other girls,...the prettiest being Mierrial, a tall, very leggy blonde. Being a very impressionable 7 year old farm boy, she stirred feelings in me that I'll carry to my grave.

I also remember Ward Allen & Albert, the alley cat. I remember channel 6's Six Million Dollar Movies, with their theme song being "Stairway To The Stars".

I remember us passing an auto dealership with a model T turning around on a post, which told me that we were only about 15 minutes to a half hour away from my aunt's apartment.

I remember, most of all, the Milwaukee Braves. My grandmother was both a devote Catholic, and a diehard Milwaukee Braves, (especially Warren Spahn), fan. She would come in from a hard day's work on the farm, to turn on radio station WHBL in Sheboygan, and pray the rosary at 6:15 p.m. By 7:00 p.m, she was cussing out Warren Spahn for walking 2 men in a row! Thanks to her,...today I can tell you the names of each player that played every position. My all-time favorite player was Henry Aaron. Whenever my older brother & I played catch, I was Henry Arron, & he was Eddie Mathews, his favorite.

As I remember, the players were:

Catchers: Del Crandell, Bob Euker, & one of the Torries, either Frank or Joe.

Pitchers: Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, & Bob Buehl.

1st base: Big Joe Addcock

2nd base: Red Schaendienst and either Frank or Joe Torrie.

Shortstop: The hothead, Billie Bruiton.

3rd base: Eddie Mathews.

Right field: Henry Aaron.

(Now,...center & left field players I am a little confused on,... but, I know there were Bobby Thompson & Andy Pafko.)

Fred Haynie was the manager.

And the radio announcers were Earl Gillesbie & Blayne Walch.

Their #1 advertiser was Clark Super 100 Gasoline.

These are pleasant childhood memories from 45 miles away, on a farm north of Kewaskum, over 50 years ago. Thank you for "cleaning some of the cobwebs out of my attic", & letting me review memories from my past.

Sincerely,

Jerome P. Metz

I lived in West Allis in the 50’s and Waukesha in the 60’s
I haven’t heard of a lot of the things listed here for many, many years, but they sure do bring back memories! I remember going to Jones Island to watch the Clipper car ferry come in from Muskegon, and going to Mitchell Field to stand on the roof on the observation platform to watch the planes land and take off. Hot ham and rolls on Sunday for lunch after church, a good Milwaukee Polish dill pickle and a handful of Jay’s Potato Chips. Driving up to Port Washington with Grandma and Grandpa for some smoked chubs from Smith Brothers. Driving to Holy Hill in the fall and stopping at an orchard for apples, and a paper cup of fresh, cold cider. CYO dances. The old rides at the state fair that were permanent buildings. There was one that was like a boat ride through a house of horrors. I can’t remember the name of it, but it scared the pants off me every time. I do remember the old wooden roller coaster and the Wild Mouse ride. How about the jingle, “at the corner of Jefferson and Wells, you can hear cathedral bells, Milwaukee Federal Savings and Loan”? I remember going to the “beer depot” with Dad to drop off the empty case of Blatz and getting a new one. You’d drop the empty off at the door on a roller deal that took the empty cases to the back room. Well, these memories will keep popping into my head now for the next several hours. Right now I’m wondering if any other city generates so much nostalgia that there are web sites dedicated to them? Bob

Great site!
Like many of you , I had my first "bubbler" whoopla when I moved to Michigan in '63. Glad I could offer so much amusement to my fellow workers.

Some of you remember PJ Kaufman, import car dealer on 3rd and Burleigh. That was my father. Paulus drug stores, friends of my parents. I remember Gladys Paulus's hair. It was amazing. Pure white when she was in her early 30s. (I think. Hope she forgives me if I'm wrong about her age. I was pretty young)

Bendfeldts Ice cream, Adleman's cleaners. I went to school with these guys. Any of you get to Fazio's on fifth? They had live entertainment. I worked there one summer in a Broadway review with my High School girls trio. The Knightones of Nicolet High School.

And while you were talking Pizza. Why didnt anyone mention Capitol Drive In or Sedita's? Talk about your great Pizza. Or Toys for Chinese food, Plotkins for corned beef! We have no restaurants to even come close to these here in the Detroit Area.

No one mentioned Mader's, the world Famous German Restaurant a stones throw from the Milwaukee River. (3rd Street?) It is still there today and run by the Son, Vic. Gus and Marge, founders were also friends of my parents. Someone (Ted Friedlander) mentioned Pappy's owned by Buckets Goldenberg and remembered he wrestled but Buckets also loved football. He played football with my father in High School (Custer I think, probably renamed today) and according to legend, it was Bucket's tackle that knocked out my Dad's front teeth. They were great Packer Fans. Remember the Packers played half of their games at Milwaukee County Stadium.

So many of your memories were our personal experiences. It helped that my father ran an imported car dealership that drew these people in the door. "Friendliest Dealer in Town" was his motto after all. Oscar Robertson of the Bucks, was another friend of the family via the Jaguar he wandered into Dad's dealership for.

We kept moving more North in the suburbs. When ever we got a neighbor, my mom moved:) So Shorewood, followed by Whitefish Bay, then Fox Point, River Hills, Bayside and back to River Hills were all home in that order.

I remember when they constructed US 41. While it was still dirt and under construction, we rode horses on that road.

My husband and I have ventured back a few times on a quest for my roots. My sister and our daughters too. If you go to find addresses in the street directories at the library and attempt to locate the places in the books, double check with county records. My sister and I drove around and around looking for our grandparents home at 608 Hackett and until my sister found what she was sure was the house, we didn't unravel the mystery. They renumbered the streets sometime ago and 608 was now 2664.

Thanks for this great trip down memory lane. A foggy memory at best. I had to look up on maps and through lists to be sure of addresses, names and even High Way numbers while I was writing this.

Gail Kaufman Hanson

WOW oh WOW

Has it been great reading this. Born in 1946 and lived in many different places mostly on the Northside. I can remember just about everything here.

Remember Bubblers--haven't heard of them any where else. The Rag man. I remember them building Southgate--Milwaukee's first shopping center and boy were we excited to get it. Decorating our bikes and wagons for the 4th of July parades at every park in the city.

I married and left in 65 but still have 2 sisters there.

A very special place to be from. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thanks,

Great site!!!

Both my wife and I are from Mawaukee (only people from out of town pronounced the Mill-wakee). My Dad sent me the site and WOW all these memories!

Straining our necks to see the top of the Channel 6 tower in Estabrook park, out of the Nash Rambler's back window.

The new AMC models on display (tilted on a turntable) on Capitol Drive. "Hey Javelin wanna drag"?

Had to be home by 4:00 for Tarzan movies introduced by Judy Marks.

The Curling club on Oakland Ave.

One of the first "24 hour" grocery stores on Oak(land) and Loc(ust) to overcome a case of the munchies (I forget the name or what I went in there for). The early 70's are still kinda hazy for me. ;-) Does Brady Street still smell of inscense and Patcholi oil?

The "Red Onion" on Silver Spring for 4 on a dollar "sliders".

Swimming in the Milwaukee River at Lincoln Park Pavilion.

Movies at the Strand or the Riverside.

Drinking Borden's Orange-ade from a paper carton at Braves Games

Getting tear-gassed after "Humble-Pie" and watching George Carlin being led off -stage for the "seven words" at Summerfest (this must have impressed me somehow, I return every year, for 11 days, to help run the "Rock Stage" at the "Fest") Remember when the "Fest was almost exclusively a Mid-Way?

There was a Greenhouse on the corner of Lydell and "old" Port Road where I believe a Cadillac Dealership is now.

Listening to "underground FM radio" WTOS and later WZMF and buying records at Peaches

Bayshore was an "outdoor" mall.

Grocery bags of broken cookies from Johnston's Cookie's.

Marty Zifco's Ballroom in Hartford.

Sunday,Sunday,Sunday at Great Lakes Drag-a-way in Union Grove Wisconsin!

"Peanut butter forever" on WOKY

Walking to 65th Street School on Capitol Dr.(later moved to WFB)

Patrick-Cudahay, home of "sweet apple-wood" bacon

Going to Moon's Fun Shop after a movie downtown.

Going out to John Ernest's Cafe for fancy dinners.

Hearing phrases like "throw da baby down the stairs a cookie" or "down by KK where the streetcar bends da corner around" or "New glasses Edna... bifocals? No! by Shusters!

The "Hog and Holler" sometimes known as the Pig and Whistle for a "Big Chief" burger.

Grandma bringing home Pasties for dinner. (they were as big as my head I swear!)

Again, great site! Now that I'm remembering...maybe I'll return for part two.

Does anyone remember Summerfest 1970?
We spent 3 days on the lakefront listening to music. The Summerfests after that seemed anticlimactic. I remember "Sly and the Family Stone" but not much else (probably due to all the dope smoke in the air!) The War Memorial (art exhibits at that time) had something called "20 electronic walnettos". I remember the Bob's Big Boy on Juneau and VanBuren. We lived in Chicago but when I was in college in the late 60s we would drive to Milwaukee just for something to do. We also liked a place called Marino's Pizza on route 50 in Burlington WI. In the 1950s my parents would take us to Holy Hill in Hubertus several times a year.

Ruby Chevrolet
Dear Retro Milwaukee,
I am a big fan of your site, even though I'm only 16. It's great to see
and read about all the things my dad always talks about of his youth in
Milwaukee. I was just wondering if anyone could get me images or info
on Ruby Chevrolet. I bought an old Chevy from the 60's and since my dad
was offered a job there in the 70's, I thought it would be neat if I could
find Dealership Scripts or something to put on my car. Thanks and again,
Love the site!

In response to the person looking for stuff from the old Ruby Chevrolet.....
auto dealership on Capitol Drive. What are you looking for? I worked at Ruby in the 80's for quite some time. The previous owner, Bob Ruby is a nice guy. He works out at Bob Fish in West Bend. Maybe he has some stuff and I don't think he would mind talking to you. The only thing I have left are my old dealer plates from my demos and a license applied for tag that reads Ruby Chevrolet. Good luck. CK

Born in Milwaukee in '48
Grew up in Brookfield, lived in West Allis, Waukesha and Delafield....now live in central Wisconsin. Awesome site!

Pumpkin lights! That's what we called them. My gram and gramps lived on 4th and Chase and we'd sit on the front porch at dusk and wait for the little lights in the median strips to go on at night. They were painted yellow with orange glass in them and sure looked like pumpkins to us!

Remember going with my family down to the Christmas parade every year and with Mom to both the Gas and Electric Company's annual Christmas Cookie display. We always got a free cookbook from each one. Still have them.

St. Josephat's Cathedral for Lenten service with Grams - it's still gorgeous, recently went to a wedding there.

Brady Street and LSAD - Layton School of Art & Design on the lakefront. Neat building...attended there before they tore it down for the freeway to nowhere. Graduated BFA from the renovated school in Glendale where it moved. It moved back downtown again later, now Milwaukee School of the Arts I think??

Thanks for the memories :-)

Diana

South Milwaukee Memories
I grew up in South Milwaukee in the 30's and 40's on the "West Side" and remember swimming at the" curve".

Going to the Grand and Garden theatres on Milwaukee Ave..Lichte's Drugstore, Clausens Bakery, Sunnyview Bakery on 15th Ave. Pliszka's Bowling Alley and Hardware Store down the block from the bakery.

How about Nowinski's Bakery, Pomplums and G&G Sweet Shops. The old Dinner Bell run by Roy Boyle, Katie Pollands, Zuckers, Segalls O'Connells, Brotts Shoe Store where they X-Rayed you for a good fit.

Skating at the "lagoon" and going behind the Island with your girl friend. Sledding and tobogganing down by the lake and Seven Hills.

How about playing at Rawson Park and the Easter Egg Hunts sponsored by the American Legion. The Sunday afternoons in the fall watching football games at Rawson Park and Baseball in the summer.

How about getting toys from the Toyloan Center at Rawson Park, just like getting books from the library.

Bob M.

Loved this site!

I remember living near a Dutchland Dairy when I was young....eating treats at Boy Blue shops in the summer and drinking A&W rootbeer out of ice cold glass mugs that you could take home!

I could've sworn there was a store inside Mayfair Mall back in the 70s that had a small curved metal type staircase that went up a level inside the shop. Possibly located near the ice rink area - more like under where the present food court is maybe?.....though I recall the retail space at the time resembling the wing where Talbots and Buddy Squirrel reside....perhaps the "food court" wing looked similar before being remodeled. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Someone brought up Nino's on your site - there used to be one in Waukesha on Hwy 18 across from where Kohls department store is. Nino's closed and the building became a Ponderosa...now it's currently Famous Dave's. I remember the Leilani Motel on Bluemound and the shiny silver diner that was on Bluemound too. (can't remember the name of the diner but it was there for years!) I remember Red Barns, Red Owls, A&P's, Shakey's Pizza's, the Original Suburbia Sub shops, Arthur Treachers Fish and Chips, Treasure Island, and Burger Chefs! (funny how most are food related, eh?) I remember Peaches Records and Tapes and also being inside The Stone Toad. (hey, my mom was a hip 20 something)

I had a longstanding memory of being taken to the Plankinton Building when I was very little and my mother carrying me while I looked up at the ceiling of the big rotunda - right were TJ Maxx and Linens and Things is currently....only in my memory I also recalled a long hall of doors in a pastel aqua/mint color. I was being taken there to see a photographer to get my picture taken. I think I'm probably only about 2 years old in it. Anyway, my son loves to go to Grand Avenue and ride the elevators. He decided to snoop around and ride to some floors that connect to UWM learning and the YMCA. We ended up on a floor that I don't think normally gets public access. The minute the doors opened, the memory rushed back into my brain. It was like I stepped out of a time machine...there was the long stark hallway of doors in the aqua/mint color (looking very 1940's in fact) but this solved the mystery for me of why I always thought my photo was taken at Grand Avenue but couldn't ever see offices near the rotunda! I had been inside the original Plankinton offices way back then!

A Reggie Lisowski Story
 I was quite interested in your Retro Milwaukee Web site. Mostly because
of the TMER&L part but also because I went to High School with Reggie
Lisowski and I have a story about him before his professional wrestling
career that I tell once in awhile.
 I was most interested in the TMER&L  part because the construction of
much of the Rapid Transit lines was the reason why I grew up in Milwaukee
County. My Father worked on the construction of most of the lines that
were built north, west and south of Milwaukee. Thus I lived in Port
Washington, Waukesha, and Milwaukee but mostly South Milwaukee. I road
those lines very often and of course also the electric street car from
South Milwaukee to downtown Milwaukee. That was a street car alright but
it also traveled on off street lines very much. I went to Notre Dame
University and I commuted when necessary by electric rail line all the
way from Milwaukee to South Bend.
As I said, my Father worked on the construction of much of the interurban
transit lines and when I grew up I worked for the same company as my
father. He eventually became the owner of the company and I and my
brother were his partners. I was very active in removing much of the
lines that my father helped build. To this day I believe those lines
should have been kept in use but they weren't because of the "Car-Craze"
population that would not use them.
I now live in Florida mostly because of the fact that I worked in the
outside heavy construction Industry year-round most of my working life
and I wore out my body. I still return to my old home state for about a
month in the summer, but I can't stand the cold of winters up there.
William A. (Bill) Keyes

PS The story about Reggie is this: During Gym class we were directed to
do as many sit-ups as we could. Reggie (The Future Crusher) did the
sit-ups for the whole 1 hour class and the gym teacher had him continue
after the bell rang ending the class. I don't know how much longer he
kept it up but he did a lot of sit-ups.

30's & 40's
Fondly, fondly I remember Milwaukee, though from an earlier time span. I see nothing about the East side of town where I grew up. I remember Juneau Park, the Lincoln Memorial Bridge which spanned the C&NW tracks where the C&NW train station loaded and unloaded passengers.( I worked there as a mail room and baggage handler, gateman/caller ticket agent, etc.).I remember watching fireworks from the hill above the C&NW tracks. I bought a bag of "white popcorn" from a small hand-pushed cart which made popcorn in a basket over a live burner and had lots of butter poured over it from a white porcelain pitcher. I remember the Astor and Knickerbocker Hotels on Juneau Ave. Lincoln High School, and ice skating on their playground; I need more room sometime later. Thanks so much for this site. Bob Sweet

This site is the best! It brought back so many memories. I was born in 55. My folks owned a little restaurant in Bay View called the Skyway Grill. I remember coming home at lunchtime from St. Veronicas and asking if I could go across the street to George Webbs. This went over well. Dutchland Dairy was a popular spot for both the haystack onions at the restaurant half and S&H Green stamps in the grocery store half. Memories of having to go to my uncles gas station, the original Speedway gas and cleaning the floors up. Every Sunday, if I was good, a matinee movie at the Airway Theater on Howell & Norwich. A special treat would be going to see Ol Smokey. Before the freeway, the ride out to Oconomowoc in the summer seemed endless! How exciting it was to see the WTMJ tower on Bluemound and soon the mountains of tires at Gerhkees Corners. I then knew it would only be another 4 or 5 hours, at least in my mind, before we reached Oconomowoc. Before the freeway was open to traffic, I learned to ride a two wheeler on I-94. Going down to the Illinois boarder to pick up oleo. Every morning watching Cartoon Alley with Barbara Becker. Albert the Alleycat finally making the big time, hooking up with Ward Allen to do the weather(only in Milwaukee). Staying up late on Saturday night to watch Nightmare Theater, with Dr. Cadaborino. Who I later found out was Jack Deublon, the same guy that did Albert the Alleycat. Going to County Stadium in the late 60's to see the home team, Chicago White Sox play. Listening to great radio stations. There was WOKY with Carl Como and the Sweet Bippy. WZUU with Larry the Legend. Then there was WZMF. A station that changed many lives as far as music culture goes. Getting my first new car. An AMC Gremlin from McCarthy American. The bar scene then came, on any given night we would hit The Crazy Horse, The He & She Lounge or The Stone Toad. Gary Martin

What a great site you have.

I was born in Milwaukee in 1964. My father owned a tavern called Robin's Lounge on 91st and Silver Spring.

I'm sure many of you remember Barnaby's restaurant near 76th and Good Hope.

They had great pizza, but I also enjoyed the red plastic basket of burger and fries.

Here is a pizza menu.

Unfortunately it isn't from the old old days, but I was amazed when my Dad found it in the attic not long ago.

It is from 1981.

The prices seem quite high for what a pizza should have cost twenty five years ago.
Brad

I was searching for Snirkles and found your site.
I grew up on the East side and remember skating in Lake Park in the winter and golfing on the pitch and putt course in the summer. The popcorn wagon on Downer Ave. was within walking distance – great penny candies. The Miller Theater – real stars! Taking the streetcar to my grandparent’s house in Wauwatosa. Going to the beach at Bradford. The Braves winning the pennant – my mom drove one of the players in the parade (she had a HOT red ’57 Ford convertible!) The circus parades for the 4^th. Decorating bikes for the 4^th of July and parading down Newberry Blvd to Lake Park, where everyone got an ice cream. Flags were handed out, not sold, along the parade route. The knife sharpener who had a push-cart (or maybe a horse, I can’t remember!) Bubblers. Skipping school to go to opening day for the Braves. State Fair and the stock car races. The zoo.
I saw the picture of ‘Old Smoky’ on your site and thought you’d like to know that I was a member of the class of the elementary school students who started a letter writing campaign to get ‘Old Smoky”. We went to Campus Elementary School, on the corner of Maryland and Kenwood Blvd. (We would stop at Riegelmann’s for cherry cokes after school.) Anyway, we read about a steam locomotive in our Weekly Readers and decided to try to save one of the steam locomotives for Milwaukee before they were all scrapped. I remember the dedication ceremony with the mayor and think I still have a big yellow button & a certificate with Old Smoky on it. A little piece of Milwaukee history.
By the way – Goetze’s, on the east coast, makes a candy very much like the Snirkle – chewy caramel on the outside and a white center. That’s what prompted my search.

I don’t get there very often, but love going back – Milwaukee’s a great city. Thanks for the memories!

Linda Secord
Clinton, NJ

Thank you for reminding me of the great times Growing up in the Milwaukee area in the 1960s. I lived in New Berlin (no traffic back then) and we rode our bikes to Hales Corners, to buy "Now and Later" candy at Drew's Discount Store. I also remember free chocolate milk on my birthday from the Golden Guernsey milkman. I remember spending hours in the driveway with the hula hoop or skip-it, and putting playing cards in my bike spokes so they made a cool noise when we rode. (Oh, and a sad memory — having to cut my bell-bottomed plaid pants from my bike chain when they got stuck). Another fun summer memory was going to the Greenfield Park swimming pool, where they'd check between our toes before we could enter! Oh, and I loved getting carry-out buckets of chicken from Dutchland Dairy. Our church used to rent out the roller rink at Pius High School for parties. The organ music was a big hit with our parents. We also skated at a roller rink in Waukesha...the place to meet boys! We enjoyed cruising on Highway 100 or hanging out at McDonalds. We even had a drive-in movie theater in New Berlin and an A & W . Fond memories from the 1970s were going to the "main stage" to hear The Beach Boys at Summerfest and everyone was up dancing on the wooden benches that swayed and felt like they were going to break. Also, back then Summerfest beers were just 50 cents. Good times!

I'm a Milwaukee girl,
Been home sick for a while now but I just have to get back soon due to the wonderful memories your site awakened! I am 68, born (Mercy Hospital), and raised in Milwaukee, lived there most until I moved to Minnesota in the 80's and there's NO PLACE LIKE HOME and NO people like Milwaukeans!

I just must add some memories dating back to the 40's and 50's to your site:

I remember 32nd Street School and the potato chip factory across the street, there were fires there often and we would watch the fire trucks from the play ground.

How about Solly's on 3rd and Green Bay, my father would do his banking at Kilbourn State Bank and then stop for a bag of Solly's Bergers to bring home. They later moved out across from the old Schlitz Terminal on Port Washington Road. The Redwood and Milkyway, drive-ins across the street from each other on "Port Road". We would congregate at one in our "parents" cars and then drive across the street to the other when they asked us to "move-on".

The Doo-Wop concerts at the Garfield Theater, Riverside Theater. Riding up and down Wisconsin Avenue in your car with loud pipes. Black skirts, sweaters, black seamed nylons, pixies shoes (or dirty brown and white saddle shoes) and khaki tankers (powder blue for summer) made you a "bee-bopper". The guys wore DA hair cuts and the gals pony tails it was the "uniform" for the "in crowd". Guys and gals from all over the city chose to wear the garb and it was the "in" attire.

More memories: The "rag peckers" with their carts going up and down the alleys calling out "rag's, rags". The ice men who delivered ice in the alleys for the ice boxes. A Sunday drive for smoke fish from Smith Brothers in Port Washington, taking the North Shore later the Milwaukee Road to Chicago to see Marshall Field's Christmas Tree. Doege's Drive-in, Kopp's frozen custard on Appleton Ave. Washington Park Zoo, with monkey island, and The Boulevard Inn just across the street. Concerts in Hubbard Park with Sandy Smith conducting. Benefeldt's Ice Cream was the best! The street cars, clanging for each stop and the conductors changing the direction of the seat backs when he got to the end of the line. Roller skating at Tennie's Silver Swan out on Silver Spring Drive.....it burned down. Old Borchard Field with the Original Milwaukee Brewers baseball. Mrs Dialy's dance classes every Thursday night at Country Day Boy's School. Downer Seminary Girls School. How about Claude's on 35th.

I yearn for a real hardroll, creampuff from the fair, Crueller, matzo ball soup from Bernies, a Friday fish fry............. I yearn for Milwaukee! Thanks for the memories!!

A true blue Milwaukee Girl

Well, I'm 68,
My memories go back to the ration books during WW2. There was almost no traffic then, and groups of neighbors would walk together right down the middle of the streets to get free (or unrationed) loaves of bread downtown. It was a very long walk for us little kids (from 23rd and Walnut), but we did it with our mom and neighbors.

Wittig's Bakery on Walnut Street had the most wonderful creme-filled, streusel-topped coffee cakes, "schneckens", and warm hard rolls for our Sunday night light suppers. What wonderful bakery, and usually still warm from the ovens, as they baked it right on site!

Then there was the little ice cream shop on Walnut, where I got Cho-Chos for a nickel. What wonderful malted milk ice cream that was.

I remember the Lyric and Climax movie theaters, and Tuesday was dish night. The Tuesday movies were really awful B- movies, but I always went for the dish.

The old trolley cars were a treat for a little kid to ride, and the sparking of the overhead wire connections were a little scary.

Then there was the amusement park at Muskego Beach, where I loved to ride the merry-go-round again and again for 10 cents a ride.

And I still remember the museum on Wisconsin Avenue, and can still smell the stuffiness of some of the old displays behind glass. I loved that place!

I should say that I was born in 1939 at Deaconess Hospital, and lived in Milwaukee until 1957, when I left after graduating from the old West Division High School.

I've been back to visit relatives several times since then, but not recently.

I remember the 41 Twin outdoor movie, Treasure Island, Southgate shopping center, and the old round black pumping station off the shore of Lake Michigan. As a little kid, I always thought that old black thing was "spooky," somehow.

And the old dilapidated pier that we actually could walk out on, even though pieces of it were crumbling and missing. That was scary, too.

I also remember Elsie the Cow, and "Buy Bordens, buy Bordens in your neighborhood. Because if it's Bordens, says Elsie, it's got to be good."

And Bob "Coffeehead" Larsen, Dick Hiorns, Frankie Yankovic, Whoopie John, and the WLS National Barn Dance, which my mom always listened to. She loved Lulu Belle and Scotty, and Red Foley on the barn dance.

I've lived up here in the Minnesota Twin Cities area for many, many years now, but I still have ties to Milwaukee. And my 50th West Division High School graduation reunion is coming up soon!

Audrey Larson

Help Please
I am trying to locate the German Reformed Church that existed in
Milwaukee in 1886. I understand it merged with the Evangelicals and
eventually the Church of Christ in the 20th Century.

I have been unable to obtain verification from anyone, including
historical societies of Milwaukee and Wisconsin, other than referrals to
other organizations or churches which refer me once again.

Does anyone know the address of the German Reformed Church that existed
in 1886 in Milwaukee and whether the building still exists?

Thank you for any help you may be able to provide

michael

-- In response to Michael who was asking the question about trying to locate
information on the "German Reformed Church" that existed in Milwaukee in
1886, I did some research online and I believe I may have found the
information-history you are looking for. Please check out this site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_and_Reformed_Church it talks about
it a great deal. As for still existing in Milwaukee - that I don't know.
Hope this helps.

Cheryl
Editors note : The original location appears to have been 1729 W. Walnut St. The Church was torn down in the mid 70's when Walnut Street was widened. The new Church is located at 20th & Walnut.

Was born in 1937 in West Milwaukee
...when it was called 'little Austria' cuz of all the Austrian and German folks there. Just retired and moved from that home on the corner of 49th and Greenfield - to Rome, WI 54457 (Nekoosa) two years ago.

Can't find most people my age . . . they're scattered. so this accidental website was very refreshing.

I remember the 'junk man' coming thru our alleys in a horse-driven vehicle . . . hollaring. 'rrags....'rrags! Folks would bring their junk to the alley -

I remember a man giving pony rides on Sunday after church..coming right to the front of our house -

I remember being in a 'rumble seat' of a car once! -

I remember a dairy store on Hawley Road that had the best malts...(someone tell me the name and get a photo of it -

I remember families doing things together -

I remember seeing my first TV program in my 'rich' aunt's house....we all sat on the floor and watched 'Milton Berle' show, sponsored by Texaco...and my aunt would turn it down when Berle used vulgar language -

I remember getting a good education at Mercy High School -

I remember wicker baby buggies -

I remember seeing 'ration stamps' for meat, shoes, gas, tires, etc.

I remember when the service station would not sell my dad tires, because he was of German ancestry :(was considered to be a possible Nazi, )

I remember breaking my only and best toy...from my Aunt...a horseman doll :(scratch ur brain folks)

and I still don't feel that old...am 70 and work for Wal Mart in Plover, die my hair red (since age 16) go to the swimming pool all by myself) Help my husband with siding, roofing, etc. -

and want to hear from some others in my age group! e mail - aftertheringnospam@scacable.com (remove no spam) Have a good day. Have to dress for work! Chow. Mary A. Schneider-Cheney

Remembers Cushman Ice Cream Trucksters
Does anybody have pictures of the happy day icecream scooters ( the old cushman truckster trike scooters )that were around from the Mid to late 50s till about the mid to late 70s , I remember selling icecream to the kids driving one of these scooters and and ringing that bell long before the icecream trucks you see now a days when I was a younger ....... thanks DaveV.

Wonderful site!
I lived in Milwaukee from 1954 til 1977. Grew up in Westlawn, went to Mother of Perpetual Help till the 7th grade then St Anne's for 8th grade. Messmer for High school. Has anyone mention Joe Shot (spelling's wrong, but someone should remember) and the Hot Shots at noon on Channel 4? How about Brown and Matton Stables on 64th St. and when Silver Spring was a dirt road? Had an aunt and uncle who lived on N. Pierce St, just south of Center, and I remember the sign in the bakery window by them which read "Open 6 am English spoken herein".

What about George Webb's? or slider's at Tower Burgers? How about the Polo Grounds and the Crusher's buddy, Dick the Bruiser?

Anyone remember a Kiddieland amusement park
It was somewhere near Milwaukee? I found this old photo which was marked Kiddieland 1954 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The only problem is I can't find any info on this place. It looks like it had boat rides, a carousel and other childrens rides.

Rick

Riverside, IL

Rick from Illinois had a picture of Kiddieland ,asking if anyone remembers it. We have pictures of it too; and I remembered it at hwy 100 & Burleigh before McDonalds was built there. I mentioned this to someone who thinks it was on Fondulac Ave. where the Capitol Court theater was built. Was probably one of those.(I was only 3). (or maybe there were 2 of them). Some one mentioned a scary boat ride at the State Fair, but didn't recall the name.That was "Ye Olde Mill". Scared the heck outta me too. Jim S. (Milwaukee)

Your site is fascinating
..And it's great to see all the other old Milwaukee fans. I was born in 48 at the Deaconess (one of the biggest babies to date at 10 lb) and grew up on 54th & Keefe (Route 30 bus) and went to St. Catherine's and Marquette High and U. My Grandparents were in West Milwaukee, so I have memories from there, including the evening banging of the Drop Forge.

Adding some memories: I was a security guard at the wrestling matches and shows at the Arena and Auditorium - I provided security to Elvis (3 times), Donnie & Marie, 3 Dog Night, etc....white house sandwiches at, I think, the Boston Store...I played on the dirt piles while Capital Court was being built...driving down to Kenosha County (Brat Stop and Shakeys) where you could drink beer...the Black Steer on Hwy 100 & Greenfield...eating multiple helpings as a college student at Sweden House buffet...baking bread (and sweating) at the old Jaeger Bread bakery downtown... going to Toy's on Wisconsin and 3rd and walking up the stairs painted with dragons...Jake's Deli on North Avenue (where I mistakenly said "so long" when the guy behind the counter said, "Shalom,")...sledding at Washington Park...Wolf's drug store and restaurant, with the wooden booths, at 70th and National (I think)...going to Big Boy after Junior Achievement meetings...Father Boyle at Marquette High swatting us with his golf club...serving the Latin Mass at St. Catherine's under Msgr. Flasch...Frank Balistreri...Billy the Bookworm club...watching the Braves play from the hill at the Veterans' Hospital grounds and listening to play by play on the transistor...Chief Breier...I was one of the first kids to ride a horse on Cowboy Mike's show...peeking through the paper on the windows at Ruby and Humphrey Chevrolet to get a glimpse of the new cars, especially the latest Vette...Golden Chicken deliveries...in the Green Sheet - Mrs. Griggs, Mr. Tweedy, Grin and Bear it, Our Boarding House with Major Hoople (Harumph! Fap!)...eating pickled pigs feet and raw beef "Cannibal" sandwiches...there was a drive-in on 35th near Vliet that served the "Gut Buster" burger...pasties...and so much more

Dick Sem

A few more memories of Milwaukee
The sound of the fog horns. How the rich people lived on Lake Dr. Going to Dr. Rosenberg's office on 49th and North.
Rootbeer floats at A&W. The old Winkies five and dime in WFB. The Tea
Room at the top of Gimbels, they served cucumber and creamcheese sandwiches.
The small escalators. Carving pumpkins was always the same triangle eyes,
nose, and pointed teeth. Caramel apples from Jorgensens. Bradford Beach was a
teenhangout, the cold lake water. Driving down to watch fireworks on the
4th, and bumper to bumper on the way home, took longer to get home than to
watch the fireworks. Bellbottoms, and peddlepushers. Penny loafers. Snow suits
and galoshes over our shoes. Roller skates with keys. Mittens on strings.
Blazers worn with dickies. And parkas. Capitol Court. Bernies on Silver
Spring. Swimming at the old JCC on Prospect. Ming gardens on Capital
dr. taking the field trip to the journal sentinel and you would get a
miniature copy of the paper, complete with a green sheet.