Lost Milwaukee

by Carl A. Swanson

From City Hall to the Pabst Theater, reminders of the past are part of the fabric of Milwaukee. Yet many historic treasures have been lost to time.


Blocks of homes and apartments replaced the Wonderland Amusement Park. A quiet bike path now stretches where some of fastest trains in the world previously thundered. Today's Estabrook Park was a vast mining operation, and Marquette University covers the old fairgrounds where Abraham Lincoln spoke. Author Carl Swanson recounts these stories and other tales of bygone days.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2018

About the author

Carl Swanson is the editor of Kalmbach Media Company's Model Railroader magazine. He has worked at Trains magazine and Classic Toy Trains magazine. He is the author of the Kalmbach book "Faces of Railroading" and "Lost Milwaukee" and "Historic Milwaukee Crimes" from The History Press. He also contributed essays to Belt Publishing's 2019 "The Milwaukee Anthology" and "The Milwaukee River Greenway" (River Revitalization Foundation, 2021).

Carl was the founding editor of Pentrex Publishing's RailNews magazine and served as editor of Passenger Train Journal magazine prior to joining Kalmbach in 1997.

Carl studied journalism at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and photography at the Woodland School of Photography. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife Judith. The couple has three children. Carl blogs about the city and its history at http://milwaukeenotebook.com

Reviews

[MaryannC Victorian Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at the library because I wanted to know more about the city I have grown up in and it's like taking a trip into another world of Milwaukee's yesteryear. Really enjoyed seeing the many pictures of what the city looked like during the 1800's and early 1900's, things of course were more picturesque back then with strolls along Lake Michigan for many families, the famous beer gardens and the many spectacular architectural buildings that once graced our city. Oh how I wish I could go back in time with a parasol on the arm of a beau to experience and see the sights of that time and enjoy the vast beauty and lushness of it all back then.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these historical tales of Milwaukee, many of them new to me.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably a more enjoyable read for people who live or lived in Milwaukee, but this is a very well researched and fun read.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you grew up in Milwaukee or moved here later in life, you will enjoy this short but very interesting book. You often shake your head at what we had and was lost due to "progress". 4+ Stars!

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in Milwaukee this book was a delight. My self-appointed role is family genealogist, and this little book helped to enrich my family's stories by sharing some of the highlights of the Milwaukee where my grandparents and parents grew up, as well as myself.

There is fairly extensive information on the development of various railroads that blessed Milwaukee's tracks, on some of its parks, as well as many stories that are set in what is now called the Riverwest area of Milwaukee. The book is not written as a sequential narrative but, rather, each chapter is an individual look into the past on some aspect of Milwaukee history. One can read a chapter or two, put it down, and return to it without feeling anything was "lost." Particularly if you lived in Milwaukee -- or are the family genealogist! -- I would highly recommend "Lost Milwaukee."

[Philip Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of interesting but largely unconnected incidents in Milwaukee's history.

I didn't reach the end it but might pick it up at random moments until I get there. It is rare for me not to finish a book. In fact, I'm more likely to linger after completion than to move on without finishing, but this one doesn't generate any necessity. It is well-written, episodic, and no doubt accurate, but doesn't draw the reader from one account to the next.

I have the kindle version. Based on other reviews, much is lost without seeing the pictures on the page.

I suppose I was looking for a narrative history of the city. This is something else. That's not a criticism.

[Blaine Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in soft cover after having it recommended by the chartering team of an upcoming bike ride across Wisconsin. This is a compilation of short articles written by the author over several years. Each story examines a lost piece of Milwaukee's history with a focus on real estate - here's what happened to this old brewery, this is where the boat used to dock, etc. The author uses a light-hearted touch but delivers the factual goods. Recommend if you will be visiting Milwaukee.

[Kjrsails · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a student of local history for many years . What a delight to find more stories about Milwaukee that I didn't know! Loved every moment of this walk through another time. I will now look for landmarks of lost buildings and places as one looks for lost treasure. Thank you, Carl Swanson, for all the research and your entertaining writing style.

[Jeramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the same as every other Milwaukee history book, so that's a welcome change of pace. Different topics, different interests of the author.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on huge endeavors of the past that no longer exist or exist with only trace elements.

[Laura Eckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milwaukee is my hometown and I learned so many great things from years long gone! Most of what Carl wrote about I never knew and I marveled at each new discovery. Well written and highly recommended!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different short stories of businesses or ventures long gone. A welcome change from the many historical approaches in books about Milwaukee.

[Karen Jaeckels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lived in Milwaukee all my life but I learned a lot about its history that I did not know. Fascinating stories of the Milwaukee's start and development as a city.

[Sue Huhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for history buffs. Great stories about old Milwaukee.

[Gary Aubry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and informative read! Some very interesting facts about Milwaukee I never knew about. You did your research, Carl, thank you!!!

[Kimberly Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about my hometown's past. Sad that some beautiful buildings were lost to 'progress'.