Havenwoods State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Havenwoods State Forest |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Pedestrian bridge in Havenwoods
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 Havenwoods State Forest
Location in Wisconsin
Havenwoods State Forest
Location in the United States
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| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
| Area | 237 acres (96 ha) |
| Established | 1979 |
| Governing body | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Havenwoods State Forest is a 237-acre (960,000 m2) natural area. It is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This special forest is located right inside the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Havenwoods was created to be a green space in the city. It also serves as a center for learning about nature. The land has open grasslands, thick woods, and wet areas called wetlands. You can also find Lincoln Creek, an urban arboretum, and special education gardens here.
The Environmental Awareness Center at Havenwoods has many cool features. It includes an auditorium, classrooms, and displays. There is also a resource center where you can find information. The forest has trails perfect for studying nature, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Schoenecker Park is right next to Havenwoods on its northeast side.
Havenwoods is open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. You do not need a state park vehicle admission sticker to visit.
Contents
History of Havenwoods
Havenwoods is a unique piece of land that has changed a lot over time. In the early 1800s, this area was a swampy forest. Wild animals roamed through the tall trees. Native Americans also visited the area to find food.
Early Settlements
In 1836, land surveyors mapped out the area. This opened the land for new settlers. Families like the Zautkes, Pipkorns, Douglases, Bourkes, and Schalocks moved here. They were farmers, so they cut down trees and drained the wet land. Then, they planted crops.
The House of Correction Era
In the early 1900s, Milwaukee County started buying farmland. They needed a new place for their "House of Correction." This facility opened in 1917. People who were sent there worked on the land. They grew crops, milked cows, and made furniture. For example, in 1939, the kitchen there canned thousands of gallons of tomatoes and corn.
Military Use of the Land
In 1945, the U.S. Army took over the House of Correction. They used it as an Army Disciplinary Barracks. This was a place where soldiers who broke military rules were held. It also housed prisoners of war and people of German descent during the war. The prison buildings were no longer used in the 1950s. They were torn down in the 1970s.
In 1956, the Army built a special missile base at Havenwoods. This was part of Project Nike. Eight such sites were built around Milwaukee. They were meant to protect the city from long-range bombers. However, by 1958, these missiles were outdated. The Havenwoods site was abandoned in 1963.
Later Uses and Abandonment
From about 1950 to 1967, the United States Army Reserve used Havenwoods for training. The 84th Division is still located nearby. The city also used parts of the land as a place to bury trash from 1958 to 1970. For a short time, from 1969 to 1971, families who did not have homes lived in the abandoned buildings.
In 1974, the Army decided it no longer needed the land. They declared it "surplus." For the first time in 130 years, this 237-acre (0.96 km2) piece of land was empty. The old prison buildings, tunnels, and missile site were gone. The wild grasslands became open for everyone to enjoy.
