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

Oneida Street Station

T.M.E.R. & L. Co.

— (Now Wisconsin Electric Power Co.) —

Oneida Street Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, October 22, 2008

1. Oneida Street Station Marker

Inscription. In this station pulverized coal was first successfully burned continuously and at high efficiencies in furnaces of stationary steam boilers November 11-15, 1919. This radical departure from conventional firing methods of the period was vigorously opposed by some engineers during its early stages. It soon let with local, national and international acceptance, and has resulted in great benefits to mankind through reduced cost of electric power and conservation of fuel resources.

Erected 1956 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 57.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1919.

Location. 43° 2.444′ N, 87° 54.679′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in East Town. It is on East Wells Street 0.1 miles west of North Water Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker located just east of the Wells Street Bridge over the Milwaukee River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milwaukee WI 53202, 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

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oneida Street Power Plant (a few steps from this marker); Pabst Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Letter Carriers' Monument (about 400 feet away); Nearly a Century of Planning (about 500 feet away); Architectural Gems on the Riverfront (about 500 feet away); A German Heritage (about 500 feet away); An Outdoor Gallery (about 500 feet away); Wisconsin Soldiers’ Home (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Regarding Oneida Street Station. T.M.E.R. & L. Co. stands for The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company.

The subject building is now owned by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and houses the Milwaukee Rep's Powerhouse Theater, Stiemke Theater, and Stackner Cabaret.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. All relate to TMER&L (The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co.)

Also see . . .
1. Wisconsin SP Oneida Street Station. According to the National Register for Historic Places Nomination Form, the Oneida Street Station was one of a complex of four buildings. The marker is attached to what was Boiler Room #1, where the experimentation with pulverized coal took place. The nomination form also outlines the architectural

Oneida Street Station and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, May 3, 2010

2. Oneida Street Station and Marker

Marker is mounted at the corner of the building.

significance of the buildings and gives a history of this TMER&L site. (Submitted on October 20, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. East Wells Power Plant: A National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Brochure by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers about the power plant. (Submitted on October 20, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,466 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.