Root Creek, Wisconsin facts for kids

Root Creek was once a small community, like a tiny village, located in what is now the Town of Greenfield in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It was named after a nearby stream, which today is called the Root River. This settlement was found along an old road made of wooden planks, which is now known as Forest Home Avenue.

History of Root Creek

Root Creek had an interesting past, growing from a small settlement into a busy community before fading away.

Early Days and Growth

The first post office in Root Creek opened on August 19, 1847. It was located near the Root Creek stream. In 1854, Peter Lavies became the postmaster, the person in charge of the post office. He moved the post office closer to his tavern, which was a type of inn or pub. This new spot is now where South 76th Street, Forest Home Avenue, and Cold Spring Road meet.

In 1846, a Lutheran church was built in Root Creek. It was called St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. By 1848, there were four churches in the area. Root Creek became a central spot for a few businesses. These businesses served the local farming community, which was mostly made up of German Americans and Irish Americans. These were people who had moved to the United States from Germany and Ireland.

Later Years and Changes

From 1864 to 1867, Hubert Lavies, Peter Lavies' son, was the postmaster. He later became a state legislator, meaning he helped make laws for the state. The post office moved a few times as new postmasters took over. Its final location was near what are now Howard and Forest Home Avenues. In 1887, about 129 people lived in the area served by the Root Creek post office.

The Root Creek post office finally closed on May 31, 1908. Even after the post office closed, the community kept its name alive. The Root Creek Farmers and Gardeners Exhibit, later known as the Root Creek Fair, started in 1914. This fair continued every fall until 1939. The local public school, District #10, was known as "Root Creek School" from 1915 until 1943. It was then renamed MacArthur School after a famous general, Douglas MacArthur. The St. John Evangelical Church also continued to use the name "Root Creek" for the community, even celebrating its 100-year anniversary with a history book about the area.

By 1957, the land that was once Root Creek had been divided into five different towns or cities. The areas once served by the single Root Creek post office were then covered by seven different postal codes. Today, only a few old, unused graveyards, like Lavies Cemetery, remain as reminders of the Root Creek community.