North Milwaukee, Wisconsin facts for kids

North Milwaukee was once a small community, or village, located in northern Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, in the United States. It was first called Schwartzburg, then briefly Northern Junction, before becoming North Milwaukee.

A Look Back at North Milwaukee's History

How Schwartzburg Began

The story of North Milwaukee started with a small settlement called Schwartzburg. It was named after Christian Schwartzburg, who owned a large farm there. He bought the land from Byron Kilbourn. In the 1850s, Christian Schwartzburg began selling parts of his land to other people. This helped the area grow. Soon, a railroad depot (a train station) was built there, making it easier for people and goods to travel.

Growing into a Village

The community grew even more thanks to Henry Clay Payne. He was a real estate developer, meaning he bought and sold land to build new homes and businesses. He was also a "streetcar magnate," which means he was very important in building and running streetcar lines. Streetcars were like electric buses that ran on tracks.

In 1897, the area officially became an incorporated village and was named North Milwaukee. This meant it had its own local government. Later, on January 1, 1929, North Milwaukee joined with the larger City of Milwaukee.

Life in North Milwaukee

The village of North Milwaukee covered an area from Congress Street to Silver Spring Drive, between 27th Street and Sherman Boulevard. Its main street was Villard Avenue. The village had good connections for business and travel. It had a Milwaukee Road railroad crossing near 35th and Hampton. Henry Clay Payne also extended a streetcar line to the new community. This line ran for two miles across open fields, connecting North Milwaukee to other areas.

Many people living in North Milwaukee were German Americans. A large group of them were Volga Deutsche, who lived in a neighborhood sometimes called "Red Town."

Today, the name "Old North Milwaukee" is still used for a neighborhood that covers much of the original village area. The official records of the village are kept safe in the Archives of the City of Milwaukee.

People from North Milwaukee

Many interesting people lived in or came from North Milwaukee. Here are a few:

• Fred C. Maertz: He was a businessman and politician. Later in his life, he owned and ran a movie theater in North Milwaukee.
• Arthur J. Miller: He was also a businessman and politician. He served as an "alderman" in North Milwaukee, which means he was a member of the local government council.
• Fred A. Mueller: He was a farmer and a local politician. He was born in North Milwaukee and served one term in the state legislature, helping to make laws for Wisconsin.