Milwaukee is an extremely historic city. From our brewing history to the incredible architecture that was constructed so long ago, you can see glimpses of our past everywhere you go. Thanks to an extensive online library of historic photographs, we can see just what Milwaukee life looked like back in the day. Check out these vintage photographs of our city streets and see how much things have changed (or haven’t):
- Downtown
Library of Congress / Jack E. Boucher, Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WIS,40-MILWA,19- These buildings along North Milwaukee Street were constructed in the 1800s.
- Small business streets
Library of Congress / Simeon N Small, Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WIS,40-MILWA,29- Though this photo is from the ’30s, these buildings were built in the 1860s.
- Bank of Milwaukee
Library of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WI-386 Can you see any other familiar buildings in this photo?
- West Walnut
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006005-D The houses on Walnut don’t look that different than they did in the ’30s.
- North Milwaukee Street
Library of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WI-364 What do you think was here back when your grandparents were children?
- Jackson Street
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006049-D Look at those old-school trucks!
- Pabst Building
Library of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WIS,40-MILWA,33- Milwaukee is a city built on Pabst, but the Pabst Theater Building located at 144 East Wells Street sure gave our city character in the ’30s.
- West Somers Street
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006062-D Have you played among these alleys?
- East Detroit Street
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34-006043-D It’s crazy to think how many of these residential areas have changed so much.
- Newberry Boulevard
Library of Congress / Detroit Publishing Co., Call Number: LC-D4-12570 [P&P] This photo is dates all the way back to 1901!
- West Winnebago Street
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006063-D The houses are perfectly symmetrical - it’s almost dizzying!
- East Side
Library of Congress / Marion S. Trikosko, Call Number: LC-U9-12520- 7 Here’s a glimpse into Milwaukee east side life in the ’60s. Not a whole lot has changed!
Do any of these photo’s bring back memories for you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Library of Congress / Jack E. Boucher, Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WIS,40-MILWA,19-
These buildings along North Milwaukee Street were constructed in the 1800s.
Library of Congress / Simeon N Small, Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WIS,40-MILWA,29-
Though this photo is from the ’30s, these buildings were built in the 1860s.
Library of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WI-386
Can you see any other familiar buildings in this photo?
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006005-D
The houses on Walnut don’t look that different than they did in the ’30s.
Library of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WI-364
What do you think was here back when your grandparents were children?
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006049-D
Look at those old-school trucks!
Library of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey, Call Number: HABS WIS,40-MILWA,33-
Milwaukee is a city built on Pabst, but the Pabst Theater Building located at 144 East Wells Street sure gave our city character in the ’30s.
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006062-D
Have you played among these alleys?
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34-006043-D
It’s crazy to think how many of these residential areas have changed so much.
Library of Congress / Detroit Publishing Co., Call Number: LC-D4-12570 [P&P]
This photo is dates all the way back to 1901!
Library of Congress / Carl Mydans, Call Number: LC-USF34- 006063-D
The houses are perfectly symmetrical - it’s almost dizzying!
Library of Congress / Marion S. Trikosko, Call Number: LC-U9-12520- 7
Here’s a glimpse into Milwaukee east side life in the ’60s. Not a whole lot has changed!
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