Milwaukee (town), Wisconsin facts for kids
The Town of Milwaukee was an old town in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It was created a long time ago, on March 17, 1835. Over time, many new cities and towns in Milwaukee County, like the City of Milwaukee, were formed from parts of this original town. The Town of Milwaukee officially stopped existing in 1955 when its last pieces became part of other places.
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Where Was the Town of Milwaukee?
The Town of Milwaukee started out covering the same area as all of Milwaukee County.
Changes to the Town's Borders
In 1838, the government of the Wisconsin Territory split Milwaukee County into two main areas:
- The Town of Milwaukee: This part covered everything north of what is now Greenfield Avenue.
- The Town of Lake: This part covered everything south of Greenfield Avenue.
After 1840, the Town of Milwaukee had clearer borders. If you look at a map today, it stretched:
- From Greenfield Avenue in the south.
- To County Line Road in the north.
- To Lake Michigan in the east.
- To 27th Street in the west.
Neighboring Areas
The Town of Milwaukee had several neighbors:
- To the west: The Town of Wauwatosa and the Town of Granville.
- To the south: The Town of Lake.
- To the north: The Town of Mequon.
The old Town Hall for the Town of Milwaukee was built in 1872. You can still find it today in Glendale.
Cities and Towns Formed from Milwaukee
Many of the cities and towns you know today in Milwaukee County used to be part of the original Town of Milwaukee. Here's a list of some of them and when they were created:
- Village of Milwaukee: Formed in 1838. This later became the City of Milwaukee in 1846.
- Town of Granville: Created on January 13, 1840.
- Town of Wauwatosa: Created on April 30, 1840. Its original name was Wau-wau-toh-sa.
- Whitefish Bay: Became a separate area in 1892.
- East Milwaukee: Formed in August 1900. Its name was changed to Shorewood in 1917.
- Fox Point: Became its own place in 1926.
- River Hills: Created on March 17, 1930.
- Glendale: Formed in 1950.
- Bayside: Became a separate area on February 13, 1953.
People Connected to the Town of Milwaukee
Some interesting people lived in or were connected to the Town of Milwaukee:
- Henry Fowler: He was a farmer and also a legislator, meaning he helped make laws. He was part of the town's board of supervisors.
- Charles A. W. Krauss: Born in the town, he was a businessman and also served on the Milwaukee Town Board.
- Peter F. Leuch: He was a lawyer and legislator who was born in the town.
- Frederick Moskowitt: A farmer and legislator who lived in the town.
- William S. Harley: He was an engineer and businessman. He is famous for being one of the people who started the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
