What to know about Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley neighborhood

Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·5 min read
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Milwaukee has more than 75 distinct neighborhoods. Here’s what to know about the Menomonee Valley Neighborhood, which is an industrial hub and home to some of Milwaukee's biggest attractions.

Who are the Menomonee?

The valley gets its name from the Menomonee River, which directly splits the valley. The river is named after the earliest populations that inhabited the valley — the Menomonee or Menominee tribe of Indigenous people.

Similar to other Indigenous tribes, the Menomonie are woven into the history of present-day Wisconsin. The tribe claimed an estimated 10 million acres of territory in central, northeastern, and southeastern present-day Wisconsin. The Menominee Indian Reservation makes up Menominee County in northeastern Wisconsin.

The word Menomonee translates to "wild rice" in at least one Indigenous language. The tribe used to harvest rice, hunt and fish along the river that starts near present-day Germantown and ends in the Milwaukee Harbor, meeting the Milwaukee and Kinnickinnic Rivers near the Hoan Bridge.

The Menomonie people thrived throughout the state including in the valley while living alongside the Potawatomi, Odawa, Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.

By the mid 19th century, most Indigenous people were forced out of the area by white European settlers, who likely decided the present-day name of the river.

Where is the Menomonee Valley?

The northern border of the valley is mainly Interstates 94 and 794. To the south, the border is marked by part of the Menomonee River and part of the Hank Aaron State Trail. The Milwaukee River defines the eastern border, while Miller Park Way defines the western border. The eastern portion of the valley is considered part of downtown Milwaukee.

What makes the Menomonee Valley unique

Settlers brought industrial development, including a railroad, to the valley. With the ability to move people and products by rail and water, the valley quickly became attractive to more industrialists, who built factories provided tens of thousands of jobs to Milwaukeeans.

Shortly after World War II, the valley began to fall out of favor. Residents complained about pollution problems, as well as odors. The decay of the valley remained status quo until the late 20th century when the Menomonee Valley Partners was formed in 1999.

The nonprofit's website describes the valley as "once Wisconsin's most visible eyesore." The group, with the help of public officials and Indigenous tribes, worked to develop the valley into what the public sees today.

The revival of the valley drew national attention, and new industrial redevelopment is planned for the future.

The neighborhood remains a center for transportation and commerce rather than a residential area — it's estimated that only a 100 people reside in the valley.

What are the Menomonee Valley's most know attractions, parks and restaurants?

The Harley-Davidson Museum opened to the public in 2008 on the eastern edge of the valley and is filled with more than 450 motorcycles and artifacts, including the oldest known Harley.

In the center of the valley is Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. It opened in 1991 as Potawatomi Bingo and has been bringing more than 6 million guests annually to the gaming site. The facility has been expanded over the years, with the addition of a hotel, virtual gaming like Topgolf and a steakhouse.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station — a hub for Amtrak, Greyhound bus lines and state and regional bus services — is located on the northern edge of the valley.

Aside from transportation and big business, the valley has a number of public spaces and parks.

Part of the Hank Aaron State Trail runs directly through Three Bridges Park, located on the southwestern edge of the valley. The park features river access for fishing, the ability to launch a canoe or kayak, and 42 community gardens.

Across the street from Potawatomi is Marquette University's Valley Fields, featuring a soccer stadium, lacrosse field, and track.

A Marquette and Milwaukee culinary staple is located in the valley as well — The Original Sobelman's Pub & Grill. The former Schlitz tavern, located at 1900 W. St. Paul Ave., has been dishing out award-winning burgers since 1999. The pub is also known for its extravagant Bloody Mary's.

Located on the eastern edge of the valley, where the valley meets the Third Ward, is Screaming Tuna, a sushi restaurant that has been voted the best place for sushi in the city by a number of publications over the years.

The area has also been a draw for breweries in recent years: City Lights, Third Space and Explorium have all opened brewing operations that make full use of the valley's large, formerly industrial buildings.

City Lights Brewing Co.'s home is a distinctive octagonal red brick water tower, originally a Milwaukee Gas Light Co. plant. Third Space cited the availability of warehouse space and room for future expansion as one reason it opened in the Menomonee Valley. And Explorium uses the Pritzlaff Building's former train tunnel as an indoor/outdoor patio.

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Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel research, Milwaukee: City of Neighborhoods

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Facts about Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley neighborhood