History about the Martin Drive Neighborhood, Milwaukee - A healthly, safe, & fun place to live!

"Before Highway 41"

Let's picture the south side of Vliet Street between 46th and 47th Streets. For most of us, picturing 47th Street means looking at Highway 41. However, it was not that way before 1960. Lynne Granges provided us with a map of the businesses in that block now occupied by a county owned empty lot and a bridge. Jean Korky Kolpatek filled in personal details.

There were two gas stations, on at either end of the block between 46th and 47th Streets, serving as bookends to the other businesses. A Mr. Lorenz owned West Park Cleaners, which was just east of Frye's Tavern with residential units. Veronica was the name of one of Frye's several daughters. There was a fellow names Red Keith who worked in Red's Standard Oil Station on the east end of the block. At the other end was a Mobile Oil station. Try picturing an alley south of those businesses between 46th and 47th Streets. Lynn said the alley was very popular with the kids.

Halloween was a big deal in the 1930's, which is probably why we are still trying to make it a kid-safe holiday now. Let's get our mental camera focused on the building between 43rd and 44th Streets on the south side of Vliet Street. No mention was ever made about the apartment building facing 44th Street, which leads me to believe it was not there at the time. It was built in 1925.

The building that is Heritage West was Militzer's Grocery, which may have become Lee's IGA in later years. Bayer's Bakery aromas must still be smelled in the building where Eat Cake! is now located. Saffert Meat Market and Kreuser's Drug Store (Kreuser's became Martin's in the 1950's) completed thr little neighborhood shopping area. Let's go back to Halloween. According to Jean, treats meant an apple from Militzer, a hot dog from Saffert's, a bun from Bayer's and a candy bar from Kreuser's. Today, Halloween continues to be important to Martin Drive Neighbors.