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

Alonzo Robinson, Jr. (1923–2000)

1. Alonzo Robinson, Jr. (1923–2000) Marker

Inscription. Alonzo Robinson, Jr. was the first Black architect licensed to practice in Wisconsin. Robinson grew up in Delaware. After graduating from Howard University in Washington, D.C., he was hired by the City of Milwaukee in 1954. He also established his own architecture firm and later worked for Milwaukee County. Robinson believed in the power of community engagement and mentorship to address the challenges cities face.

Alonzo Robinson designed more than 120 projects in Milwaukee and its suburbs. His designs ranged from major public buildings, like the Milwaukee Fire Department Headquarters and the Kosciuszko Park Pavilion, to modest neighborhood churches, offices, and apartments. Robinson’s greatest legacy is this network of neighborhood projects that provided an infrastructure that helped build and strengthen Milwaukee’s Black community.

Erected 2026 by UW-Milwaukee Cultural Resource Management; Milwaukee Fire Department; Funded by the Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 646.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists.

Location. 43° 2.406′ N, 87° 55.242′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Westown. It is at the intersection of West Wells Street and N James Lovell Street, on the right when traveling east on West Wells Street. The marker is located outside of the MFD administration building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 W Wells Street, Milwaukee WI 53233, 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.

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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: Milwaukee's Last Operating Tower Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Milwaukee (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Library (about 600 feet away); Saint James Court (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic Milwaukee (approx. 0.2 miles away); B'Ne Jeshurun Synagogue (approx. 0.2 miles away); MacArthur Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Historic Milwaukee (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2026, by Mallory Hanson of Madison, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on October 21, 2026, by Mallory Hanson of Madison, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.