Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Greenbush
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
1. Greenbush Marker
Once a marshy area off the shores of Lake Monona, this triangular shaped neighborhood became a dream for Italian immigrants during the early 1900's.Greenbush developed into one of America's countless Little Italys, complemented with Jewish, Black and Irish families and other ethnic groups. Cattails were replaced with homes, gardens, fruit trees and grapevines. Businesses, schools and places of worship created a bond within borders of Park and Regent Streets and West Washington Avenue and camaraderie flourished despite race, color or creed.
Affectionately known as the "Bush", this tightly knit community maintained its ethnicity until 1962 when the first house was razed as part of an urban renewal plan that would erase the dream that began many years before.
The dreams of yesterday are becoming a reality for today's new arrivals, but the memories of the early settlers and the Greenbush neighborhood that became their new home in America, will live on forever.
"Maybe we didn't realize how special it was, until it began to disappear."
Erected 1992 by Dane County Historical
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
Location. 43° 3.822′ N, 89° 24.028′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of North Park Street and West Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison WI 53715, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Longfellow School (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bowen House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Greenbush (approx. ¼ mile away); Italian Workmen's Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spirit of Greenbush (approx. 0.3 miles away); Schmidt's Auto, Inc. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Edward Klief Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Milwaukee Road Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers regarding the Greenbush neighborhood.
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
2. Greenbush Marker
Looking toward Brittingham Park and Lake Monona.
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
3. Greenbush Marker
With one of the housing projects that constituted urban renewal in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,027 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
