1906 Map of Milwaukee

About this map

The Milwaukee River snakes through the heart of this coastal landscape, guiding the development of the city as it appeared at the turn of the century. Dense street grids in Milwaukee contrast with the outlying agricultural and residential patterns of townships like Mequon, Granville, and Wauwatosa. The industrial and transit-driven growth of the era is evident in the heavy concentration of rail infrastructure, including the Chicago and Northwestern RR and the C M and St P RR, which connected the urban core to northern outposts like Thiensville. Along the shores of Lake Michigan, prominent features such as North Point and the manicured grounds of Lake Park define the city's eastern edge. To the west, the National Home stands as a significant landmark near the burgeoning communities of West Allis and Wauwatosa, while northern villages like Whitefish Bay and Silver Spring represent the early expansion of the metropolitan area.