Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Site of Lynching George Marshall Clark
1861
Photographed by Connor Olson, June 28, 2024
1. Site of Lynching George Marshall Clark Marker
Milwaukee's only recorded lynching occurred on this block on September 8, 1861. African-American residents George Marshall Clark and James Shelton were imprisoned on September 7 after a fight the previous evening during which Shelton fatally stabbed Darby Carney, owner of a popular Third Ward saloon. After Carney died, a mob stormed the County Jail in the early morning of September 8. Shelton escaped, but the crowd seized Clark, beat him severely and dragged him to this area where he was hung on a pile driver. Police arrested six men for their roles during the mob, but none were convicted.
Erected 2022 by Milwaukee County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is September 8, 1861.
Location. 43° 2.037′ N, 87° 54.483′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in the Historic Third Ward. It is on East Buffalo Street just west of North Broadway Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 N Broadway,
this page online
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: Fred Vogel Jr. Building (within shouting distance of this marker); National Distilling Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Hoffmann & Sons Co. Grocers (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercantile Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Roundy, Peckham & Dexter Co. Grocers (within shouting distance of this marker); William Grossman & Co. Coffee and Tea Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Baumbach Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kalvelage Wholesale Commission House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Jim Schaettle, August 22, 2024
2. Site of Lynching George Marshall Clark Marker
Photographed by Jim Schaettle, August 22, 2024
3. Site of Lynching George Marshall Clark Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 4, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2024, by Jim Schaettle of Madison, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A full, close-up daylight photo of the marker. • Can you help?
