King Park in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

15th Street Freedom House

Photographed by Mallory Hanson, August 19, 2026

1. 15th Street Freedom House Marker

Inscription. In the spring of 1967, the NAACP Youth Council rented a property at 1316 N. 15th Street as a second Freedom House. During the initial planning of the demonstrations that became the 200 consecutive nights of open housing marches in 1967–68, the 15th Street house was an important base and expanded the Youth Council’s presence in the city, drawing new members to the cause. After a march on August 29, 1967, police fired tear gas canisters into the 15th Street Freedom House, sparking a fire. Youth Council members inside the house managed to escape, but the house was destroyed. The next day, the Youth Council held a rally outside the burned-out house, defiantly affirming their commitment to fair housing. After the destruction of the 15th Street house, the Youth Council moved to a third location, on 3rd Street and North Avenue.

Erected 2026 by March On, Milwaukee and Funded by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 643.)

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

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Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 29, 1967.

Location. 43° 2.901′ N, 87° 55.929′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in King Park. It is on W Vliet Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1531 W Vliet Street, Milwaukee WI 53205, 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: Pabst Brewery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lynden Hill: A Site of African American Resilience (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stop on the Underground Railroad (approx. half a mile away); St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Complex

Photographed by Greta Mulder, September 15, 2026

2. 15th Street Freedom House Marker

(approx. 0.6 miles away); At the State Fair on these Grounds (approx. 0.6 miles away); MacArthur Square (approx. 0.6 miles away); B'Ne Jeshurun Synagogue (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2026, by Mallory Hanson of Madison, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on September 10, 2026, by Mallory Hanson of Madison, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on September 15, 2026, by Greta Mulder of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.