Hillside Neighborhood in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

5th Street Freedom House

Photographed by Greta Schassler, September 29, 2024

1. 5th Street Freedom House Marker

Inscription.
In August 1966, the NAACP Youth Council established a headquarters at 2026 N. 5th Street. The Freedom House deepened the Youth Council's ties to the surrounding community and was a place for members to relax, eat, sleep, and socialize - a second home, for some. It was also where a group planned protests of the Eagles Club's whites-only policy and later organized open housing marches.

Hostile responses to both the Youth Council's activities and the work of other civil rights groups in the city, which included a firebombing at a Freedom House, prompted ten Youth Council members to form the Commandos to protect the protesters. As the Commandos grew, they became integral to strategy and organization during the open housing marches of 1967-68. Later, the group moved to 1316 N. 15th Street and established a second Freedom House.

Erected 2024 by March On, Milwaukee and Funded by William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1966.

Location. 43° 3.398′ N, 87° 55.129′ W. Marker

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is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in the Hillside Neighborhood. It is at the intersection of Brown Street and North Halyard Street, on the right when traveling west on Brown Street. Located at the southeast corner of James W. Beckum Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 W Brown St, Milwaukee WI 53205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. 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 walking distance of this marker: Milwaukee Chinese Laundry Era (approx. ¼ mile away); Rally at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Golda Meir 1898 - 1978 (approx. 0.4 miles away); General Office/Executive Building (approx. half a mile away); Brown Bottle Pub/Sternewirt Priveledge (approx. half a mile away); Schlitz Brewhouse A (approx. half a mile away); Schlitz Bottling Works / Bottlehouse A (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Schlitz Brewhouse A (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Photographed by Greta Schassler, August 29, 2024

2. 5th Street Freedom House Marker

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, October 24, 2024

3. 5th Street Freedom House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,430 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 30, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on October 4, 2024, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on October 29, 2024, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.