Mitchell Park in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
16th Street Viaduct
Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl
1. 16th Street Viaduct Marker
In the summer of 1967, the NAACP Youth Council planned a march to protest discriminatory housing policies in the city. On August 28th, 250 members gathered to march across the 16th Street Viaduct from the predominantly Black north side to the white south side.
At the southern end of the bridge, the marchers faced thousands of rioters who harassed and attacked them as they walked to Kosciuszko Park. The next night, the Youth Council held another march and faced up to 13,000 counter-protesters; the night ended with dozens of arrests and injuries.
These marches sparked a movement that lasted for 200 consecutive nights, forcing the city to confront segregation. Coupled with economic boycotts, the marches led to the Common Council passing an open housing ordinance in April 1968 and were part of the larger national movement for civil rights.
Erected 2023 by Wisconsin Historical Society; March On, Milwaukee; William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 620.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Civil Rights. In addition,
this page online
Location. 43° 1.466′ N, 87° 55.998′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Mitchell Park. It is at the intersection of North 16th Street and West Pierce Street, on the right when traveling south on North 16th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1616 W Pierce St, Milwaukee WI 53204, 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: Jacques Vieau, in 1795 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mitchell Park (approx. half a mile away); R. D. Whitehead Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Condenser House (approx. Ύ mile away); Power House (approx. Ύ mile away); Floating Freight on Liquid Highways (approx. 0.8 miles away); Holy Trinity - Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Saint Stephen Lutheran Church (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Cream City (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . They marched 200 days in Milwaukee for fair housing (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 4, 2024). Full title: They marched 200 days in Milwaukee for fair housing and civil rights. Now, they're getting new recognition. Excerpt:
For there to be 200 consecutive nights of anything is a remarkable feat, Smith said, "and to think that young people were able to engineer that kind of sustained effort and, in the process, face quite a bit of hostility from counter-protesters some cases the police, and some cases the KKK.(Submitted on January 1, 2025.)
Additional commentary.
1. Accessing the Location
The 16th St. Viaduct is closed for bridge repairs. Marker can be reached by foot at its location.
— Submitted December 6, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2024, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 938 times since then and 74 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 30, 2024, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
