Walker's Point in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Floating Freight on Liquid Highways

Photographed by Gordon Govier, July 3, 2015

1. Floating Freight on Liquid Highways Marker

Inscription. The Menomonee River Valley helped make Milwaukee a center for shipping and trade. From 1870 to 1890, the river was straightened and canals were dredged to aid commerce. Factories built right up to the banks make it easy to load and unload cargo directly from the water. Schooners carried Wisconsin lumber, iron ore, and other products to the world. In the 1860s Milwaukee was the world's largest shipper of wheat.

Schooners were the "semi trucks" of their day - the large-hulled sailing ships filled Milwaukee's waterways by the hundreds. Schooners were popular because they were inexpensive and easy to operate. However, they were often loaded ten feet high with cargo, which made them top-heavy and dangerous.

Many European immigrants got their first glimpse of Wisconsin on schooners and steamships. By the turn of the 20th century, steamships replaced schooners on the liquid highways.

"Three years ago, the valley of the Menomonee was one vast swamp, the home of the duck, rice-bird, and rail. Today it teems with busy people and is embellished with the spars of numerous vessels moving into and about the canals that have been formed for the accommodation of our commerce."
- Milwaukee Sentinel, May 24, 1872

Erected by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Menomonee

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Valley Partners, Inc., the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 24, 1789.

Location. 43° 1.726′ N, 87° 55.094′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Walker's Point. It is on South 6th Street 0.1 miles south of West Canal Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Holy Trinity - Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Henry David Thoreau (approx. 0.4 miles away); Milwaukee Fire Department Engine House #15 (approx. half a mile away); Sinking of the Lady Elgin (approx. half a mile away); Bradley & Metcalf Shoe Co. (approx. half a mile away); Pabst Brewing Company Saloon & Boarding House (approx. half a mile away); Keenan Building (approx. half a mile away); Young Saddlery Company Addition (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Another marker is no longer nearby.

Menomonee River Branch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, July 3, 2015

2. Menomonee River Branch

The Cream City (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2015, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2015, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear full photo of marker. • Can you help?