Misericordia Hospital

Posted by :Yance On : July 30, 2012
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Category: Good Old Days

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I wanted to cross post this recent post from the old forums to here.

I recently came upon an old postcard, 1911 of the first Misericordia hospital. I’ll try and upload the image.

I found some info on the nuns that started it. This was originally the Bishops residence until he moved to the Pabst mansion. But it looks very much like it is several houses interconnected judging by the varying styles. Does anyone know if these were individual homes. The site is 22nd and Juneau. The hospital moved here in 1908.

Thanks in advance.

Ellen

The Closing of TA Chapman’s

Posted by :Yance On : July 30, 2012
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Category: Good Old Days

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There was a question during Saturday’s presentation on Missing Milwaukee about the dates involved of the closing of TA Chapman’s downtown store at the intersection of Milwaukee and Wisconsin Ave. An article in the Milwaukee Sentinel from Thursday, January 22, 1981, detailed the final sale of all merchandise in the store.

By 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, there wasn’t much left in Downtown Chapman’s and the doors closed for the last time.

Like many of the unsold fixtures, many of the clerks and managers will be distributed to Chapman’s stores in the Northridge, Brookfield Square and Bay Shore malls.

The owners of Chapman’s are negotiating with the Milwaukee county Historical Society to see if historians can’t find a safe spot for T.A.’s fireplace and portrait.

A Sentinel article from September 26, 1984 talked about the opening of the now complete 411 Building. The article was entitled, “New Building Comes to Life With Fireworks, Party” and was in the Local News section.

The Wikipedia page for the T.A. Chapman Co., links to an article about the company finally going bankrupt in 1987, a few years after the downtown store was closed.

This should help to clarify some of the dates that I talked about.

Old Milwaukee.net Visits the Chudnow Museum

Posted by :Yance On : July 22, 2012
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Category: Milwaukee Talk

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Milwaukee has plenty of good museums but for people that want to enjoy the city’s history there is always a need for more. The Streets of Old Milwaukee at the Public Museum have been around for almost 50 years, believe it or not! The Milwaukee County Historical Society has cleaned house after their renovation so remains nearly empty of displays. The Jewish History Museum and Black History Museum both offer various glimpses into Milwaukee’s past but otherwise there is a need of more displayed history.

The Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear helps to fill in that gap by showing some glimpses of life in 1920s and 1930s Milwaukee. It is set up in the old Avrum Chudnow home at 839 N. 11th St. It doesn’t look like a museum from the front but step to the back door on the right side to gain entrance. Limited parking is available off a driveway on Highland, west of 11th Street otherwise metered parking is on the street. Beware the street parking restrictions or face a ticket!

The museum takes objects from the large collection of the Chudnow family and gives them context by displaying them in rooms that are built as if they are shops or offices. One room is the Grafman Grocery store, another the Augusta Hart shoe store, and it goes on and on through the two floors of the very large home. There is plenty on display here and it is worth an hour or so to slip into Milwaukee’s past. There are some surprises on the tour and a secret room on the second floor I won’t tell too much more about.

The first days it was open to the public were the past few days of July 20th and 21st but the official grand opening won’t happen until August 18th. Stop by and help to support the Chudnow Museum! Admission is a reasonable $5 for adults. Check the website for more information.


http://www.chudnowmuseum.org

Father is Missing – July 21, 1912

Posted by :Yance On : July 21, 2012
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Category: Dark Milwaukee

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100 years ago today, life could be harsh for poorer Milwaukeeans. The husband was the only one supporting the family and when he failed in his responsibilities, the rest of the family were in dire circumstances. This case

Milwaukee Sentinel July 21, 1912

CHILDREN STARVING; FATHER IS MISSING

Loaf of Stale Bread Is Food of Family of Six for Two Days With Mother Ill.

FOUND BY THE LANDLORD

Police Now Searching for August Grabowski for Second Time on Abandonment Charge.

“The Milwaukee police department got me once, but they will never again. I was foolish enough to let them nab me, but I am too wise for them now,” said August Grabowski, 675 Sixth avenue, as he left his wife and five children destitute for the second time and started for his present hiding place.

The Grabowski case came again to the attention of Supt. Spindler of the county poor department on Friday and is one of the most pitiable that the department has ever found in Milwaukee. Poverty stricken and nearly starved, Mrs. Julia Grabowski, who is in poor health, was found trying to comfort her children in the little, damp basement rooms that they occupied.

Live on Stale Loaf.

For several days the mother and her five children, Mary, 9 years old; Frances, 7 years old; Anna, 5 years old; Amelia, 3 years old, and Stacy, 2 years old, had lived on one loaf of stale bread.

When the landlord went to the place to collect $5 due for rent he found the entire family in bed and only a single crust of bread in the house. Not knowing where to go for assistance, the woman had lived in her destitute condition and when the landlord came he had to force open the door. Mr. Spindler was called at once and he is now taking care of the family.

This is the second time that Grabowski has left his family. On April 15, last year, he took with him the savings of the family and left without a word to his wife. He went to Columbus, O., where he enlisted in the United States army. His company was sent to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Tex., where he was arrested by Detective Hammes for abandonment.

Draws Two Weeks’ Pay.

He was brought back to Milwaukee on Nov. 8, in full army regalia, and was sent to the house of correction for five months. When released he went to work and supported his family for three months.

Drawing two weeks’ pay, all that he had coming, on July 10 Grabowski went to his home and put on his best clothing. He then told his wife that he was going away and that the Milwaukee police would not be wise enough to find him. A warrant charging the man with abandonment was sworn out on Saturday.