Menomonee Valley in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Immigrants and Silver City

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

1. Immigrants and Silver City Marker

Inscription. Milwaukee is a city of immigrants. People have come here seeking jobs, following family connections, and hoping for a better life. The earliest settlers came from French Canada and New England. In 1850, most immigrants were from Germany and Ireland, followed later in the 1800s by people from Poland and Italy. They all worked together at factories in the Valley.

In its heyday, the area southwest of the Valley was known as Silver City. Workers would spend their pay - silver dollars - at businesses along National Avenue. Farther east, near 27th Street, was National Park, a 52-acre park with lake fishing, horse racing, the city's first roller coaster, and bicycle racing. When the park closed in 1900 and local industry continued to grow, hundreds of new houses were built on the former park grounds.

By 2000, Silver City had welcomed Hmong and Hispanic immigrants, as well as many African Americans. Both new and longtime residents enliven the neighborhood with restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses serving a diverse cultural mix.

In 1844, Milwaukee had twice as many German language newspapers as English. Today

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in Silver City, you can hear many languages spoken on the streets.

Learn more, do more...Volunteer for the Milwaukee Area Refugee Consortium. Attend a local festival celebrating immigrant heritage.

"Old Silver City, a stretch along West National Avenue between the Milwaukee city limits and West Milwaukee, received its name from the chance remark of a stranger who, entering a saloon, saw a large pile of silver coins stacked in a poker game and said, "Why this must be Silver City!" For years the name clung to the street." History of Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Writers' Project, 1947

Erected by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc., Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant #NA03NOS4190106.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series list.

Location. 43° 1.459′ N,

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

2. Immigrants and Silver City Marker

87° 57.61′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Menomonee Valley. It can be reached from Hank Aaron State Trail. The marker is along the Hank Aaron State Trail in Three Bridges Park. The marker is just south of the bridge in the southwest corner of the park. The marker is on the south side of the Menomonee River and is obstructed by trees and bushes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 South 35th Street, Milwaukee WI 53215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: American Indians in the Menomonee Valley (here, next to this marker); The Machine Shop of the World (about 300 feet away, measured in a

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2019

3. Immigrants and Silver City Marker

The marker is in the trees to the right of the bridge.

direct line); Menomonee Valley Native Plants (about 700 feet away); Milwaukee Road Shops (approx. ¼ mile away); A Changing Landscape (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hank Aaron (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hank Aaron State Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hank Aaron - Changing Times (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2019, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 689 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2019, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clearer unencumbered photo of marker. • Can you help?