Bay View in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Johanna Brotch: Female Ship Owner
Photographed by Greta Schassler
1. Johanna Brotch: Female Ship Owner Marker
Johanna "Jennie" Brotch, considered Bay View's first female ship owner, lived in this house from 1890 to 1949. Emigrating from Prussia in 1869, she owned two schooners - the Sassacus and the Arctic - sailed by her husband, Captain John Brotch. Her brother, William A. Draves, built this house in 1890. By the late 1800s, women were listed as vessel owners, though usually partial rather than sole owners. Her story is an example of the progression of women's rights during the 19th century.
Erected 2024 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 614.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 43° 0.17′ N, 87° 54.136′ W. Marker is in Bay View, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is on Lincoln Avenue 0.1 miles east of Mound Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 515 E Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53207, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bay Views Immigrants (approx. Ό mile away); Navigation Buoy (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bay View's Rolling Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Josaphat Basilica (approx. 0.8 miles away); March to Kosciuszko Park
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is in the front yard of the residence. There is a sidewalk that the marker is viewable from, as well as free street parking in the neighborhood.
Regarding Johanna Brotch: Female Ship Owner. The current resident of the home has restored the Brotch house to what it would have looked like in 1890.
Photographed by Greta Schassler, July 13, 2024
2. Johanna Brotch: Female Ship Owner Marker
Photographed by Greta Schassler, July 13, 2024
3. Johanna Brotch: Female Ship Owner Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2024, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
