What to know about Milwaukee's Franklin Heights neighborhood

TJ Dysart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
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Hundred Acre, a premium greens indoor vertical hydroponic farm, shows greens beginning to sprout at 3945 N. 31st street in Milwaukee, on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. The vegetables that are growing at the farm include Holy Basil, Arugula, Endive, Spring Mix, Baby Spinach and Rainbow Chard. Today’s soft opening included local area businesses, educators and community leaders.

Milwaukee is home to dozens of different neighborhoods — some big, some small, and all unique.

Here's what to know about Milwaukee's Franklin Heights neighborhood.

More: How many neighborhoods are there in Milwaukee? Here's why there's no 'right' answer.

Where is Franklin Heights?

With a population of nearly 7,500 people, Franklin Heights is bordered from the north side by Capitol Drive and the south by West Burleigh Street.

What is the history of Franklin Heights?

In the 1800s, Franklin Heights was a farming community. Farmers used Teutonia Avenue to transport goods to the City of Milwaukee.

Franklin Heights became connected to the City of Milwaukee by Cedarburg Road, now known as Teutonia Avenue.

Hopkins Street was constructed a short distance away. Franklin Street, which is now known as Vienna Avenue, was connected east-west through the Franklin subdivision, which later became known as Franklin Heights.

When manufacturer A.O. Smith moved its factory from Walkers Point to Franklin Heights in the early 1900s, the area became more residential.

A.O. Smith was purchased by the late 1990s by a company that itself closed in 2006. Hundreds of acres of vacant land were left behind.

In 2009, the city embarked on a $35 million project to develop part of the land into Century City Business Park.

What stands out in Franklin Heights?

An improved park at West Melvina and North 29th streets is among the projects outlined in a new city plan for part of Milwaukee's north side.
An improved park at West Melvina and North 29th streets is among the projects outlined in a new city plan for part of Milwaukee's north side.

There are a few parks in the neighborhood, and one in particular has received attention and funds lately.

Melvina Park, in the northwest corner of the neighborhood, announced an expansion project this past spring.

The $2.3 million project allowed the park to grow from one acre to nearly four, with new play areas and community gardens.

Moody Park, on the southeastern side of the neighborhood, offers fields and basketball courts.

Residents have been working with the Milwaukee County Park Service to add more walking paths, baseball fields and a splash pad.

The improvement came from the Connecting the Corridor Strategic Action plan, which aims to enhance public spaces near the city's North 30th Street corridor.

Milwaukee's Century City Business Park
Milwaukee's Century City Business Park

Century City Business Park is south of Capitol Drive, between the railroad tracks and West Hopkins Street. In 2023, it received a $2 million federal grant to do an environmental cleanup to help pave the way for future development.

Places to eat and drink in Franklin Heights

Munchies on 27th, a dine-in and carry-out restaurant serving smash burgers and catfish, sits just slightly west of 27th Street.

The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Bar 1000, situated on the northeast corner of the neighborhood, is a popular cocktail bar and private party venue.

It offers food, drinks live music and private parties.

New to the neighborhood? Here is how to access Milwaukee services

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Sources: Urban Anthropology Inc., Encyclopedia of Milwaukee.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A guide to Milwaukee's Franklin Heights neighborhood