Jones Island, Milwaukee

History

Extensive filling and channelization of the area began in the mid-19th century when city co-founder Byron Kilbourn advocated a "straight cut" from the Milwaukee River near the Menomonee River confluence out to Lake Michigan. This channel was made in 1857 and is still in use today. Prior to that, the natural outlet for all three rivers was at the southern end of Jones Island where the Kinnickinnic now turns north to flow out of the straight cut. This area was later filled.

It was initially settled by Kashubian and German immigrants in the 1870s, who made their living by fishing Lake Michigan. Having never officially obtained a deed for the land, they were considered squatters by the City of Milwaukee. The area was condemned in 1914, and the vast majority of them were evicted in the 1920s to make way for a shipping port as part of an inner harbor design. The last resident was evicted in 1943.

Currently Jones Island is home to the Port of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's primary wastewater treatment plant, and other municipal services. It also supports the Hoan Bridge, a long span bridge. The land is heavily industrialized and only contains a couple of mature trees.

Notable people

• George L. Tews, machinist, businessman, and three-time Socialist member of the Wisconsin State Assembly

References

References

1. {{cite gnis. 1567267. Jones Island, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2. Beutner, Jeff. (April 13, 2016). "Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Jones Island Fishing Village, 1898". [[Urban Milwaukee]].
3. Gurda, John. "Water".
4. Walzer, Joseph. "Jones Island".
5. Tanzilo, Bobby. (April 29, 2002). "Jones Island".