Westown in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Kilbourntown
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, October 29, 2014
1. Kilbourntown Marker
The marker was recast and re-installed at the original location. The text remained the same with only minor formatting changes.
In this vicinity, Kilbourntown, one of three original Milwaukee settlements, was founded by surveyor and land speculator Byron Kilbourn in 1835. Kilbourntown’s first residents were entrepreneurs from the East. In 1839, a small group of German immigrants from Pomerania arrived in Kilbourntown, heralding a major 19th-century immigration of German settlers. Concentrated in Kilbourntown, this German population helped Milwaukee become known as the “most German city” in the United States. By the 20th century, Kilbourntown’s German population had substantially dispersed, and the area became a community of rich ethnic diversity in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.
Erected 2014 by Wisconsin Historical Society with funding provided by The Amazing Milwaukee Race. (Marker Number 333.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 43° 2.692′ N, 87° 54.857′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Westown. Marker is on North Old World Third
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Killbourntown (here, next to this marker); Steinmeyer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beer Line Neighborhood's Amber Past / Through the Eyes of Milwaukee Kids (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Turner Hall (about 600 feet away); Pere Marquette Historic Site (about 800 feet away); Haymarket Square History (about 800 feet away); Invention of the Typewriter (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert "Red" Wilson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.
More about this marker. The original marker was erected in 1998, and Melinda Roberts of De Pere reported it as missing on August 21, 2012. The marker was confirmed replaced in slightly revised form on October 29, 2014.
Photographed By Greta Schassler, August 4, 2023
2. Kilbourntown Marker
Photographed By Paul F
3. Original Kilbourntown Marker
Photographed By Paul F, May 3, 2010
4. Kilbourntown Marker
Photographed By Paul F, May 3, 2010
5. Kilbourntown Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 922 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 29, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 26, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
