Schlitz – Toward The Light

Posted by :Yance On : February 17, 2013
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Category: Good Old Days

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Late in 1959, a film was being completed for the Schlitz Brewing Company about the history of the brewery from its founding until the present of the late 50’s. It was kind of a cheesy film for promotional use most likely during brewery tours. It included quite a few local actors playing the Uihlein family through the ages.

The film is on Youtube thanks to Kurt Conway. Be sure to watch all three parts of the 30-minute film.

This article about the film was from the Milwaukee Sentinel of October 4, 1959.

MKE Memoirs – Historical Society’s New Blog

Posted by :Yance On : February 12, 2013
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Category: Milwaukee Talk

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The Milwaukee County Historical Society has started to find new ways to engage the public in the last few years. With Scott Stroh as the new executive director since mid-2011, there have been many changes for the better including exhibitions and lectures which have been well attended. Because they are using more of the building space for these events, they are finding new ways to curate their collection and present history. One newer way they are doing this is with the introduction of a blog called MKE Memoirs with articles written by their archivists and curators. These blog articles allow the Society to reach a new generation with their collection of artifacts and archives. As an online blog it is easy to engage many people and to get feedback and discussion. The latest article from February 11th talks about the old Bijou Opera House and “How a Milwaukee Opera House Kick Started the Fight for Civil Rights.”

MKE Memoirs

Jefferson & Wells Street 1920s

Posted by :Yance On : February 11, 2013
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Category: Good Old Days

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This is a view looking at the corner now occupied by Taylor’s on the southwest corner of Jefferson & Wells. The picture was taken sometime in the 1920s. Back then the corner was occupied by several businesses; a drug store, roller bearing sales, and a heating company. The single story building has gone through many changes over the years but has stayed around, unlike some of the larger, neighboring buildings such as the Court-house, the Masonic Building, and even the old Layton gallery down the street at Mason.

Milwaukee County Interactive Mapping

Posted by :Yance On : February 9, 2013
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Category: Milwaukee Talk

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Milwaukee County has a powerful online mapping tool which integrates a fully featured Geographic Information System, GIS. There are many layers that give useful information including historic aerial photos of the city and county going back to 1936. The 1951 aerial photo layer was completed in January which shows a highly detailed view of the entire county. Hopefully later this year an additional aerial photo set from 1928 will be included.

Also for those interested, there is up to date housing foreclosure information updated at the end of the year. As with any government GIS map, finding information on property owners is a simple click away. There is a little learning curve for people unfamiliar with using GIS maps but you cannot break it so play with it to learn.

Grand Warner Theatre Trust

Posted by :Yance On : February 1, 2013
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Category: Milwaukee Talk

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I realize that not everyone uses Facebook but sometimes there are things you can only find there. This page is for a group called the Grand Warner Theatre Trust that is trying to resurrect the old theater on 2nd & Wisconsin. From the Facebook page:

Recently, a Trust headed by Myron Heaton was formed to explore purchasing and restoring the theatre. They met with architecture firm, contractors, representatives of the city, and potential funders of the project in December. Stay tuned for more info.

Hopefully they can get enough support to bring this ghost of the past back to life and I can encourage everyone interested in this theater to show their support. I will post more information as it appears.