approximate boundaries: n s e w we st side cannon park park.pdf · by the 1930s, there were only a...

WEST SIDECannon ParkNEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION Cannon Park is a residential neighborhood with moderate to high density population. Housing stock is mainly mid-20th century ranch and Cape Cod styles. Freeways bound the neighborhood at the south (I-94) and at the west (I-41). The northern border of the neighborhood is West Wisconsin Avenue. Across the street is the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center. The principal commercial district is along West Bluemound Road.

Cannon Park’s topography is hilly—from gently rolling to steep inclines. There are a few streets that follow a rectangular grid but most of the streets are winding. The main public green space is Cannon Park, an 8.5-acre commons with a pavilion, basketball court, soccer field and a tot lot. See photos below. HISTORY Cannon Park is named after the park of the same name, which was probably named after the legal Cannon family of Milwaukee. Raymond J. Cannon was admitted to Wisconsin Bar in 1914 and arguably became the most celebrated trial lawyer of his generation. Some of his famous clients were World Heavy-weight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey, Shoeless Joe Jackson (Chicago Black Sox Scandal), and Wallis Simpson. His son, Robert C. Cannon, was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1941 and became both a Milwaukee County Civil and Circuit Court judge. He was also a legal advisor to the Major League Baseball Players Association. Robert’s son is Bill Cannon of the Cannon and Dunfry Law Firm. Early populations A hamlet called Honey Creek grew up along the creek of that name in today’s West Allis in the early 1800s, just blocks southeast of today’s Cannon Park neighborhood. The small settlement, founded by pioneers from New York, housed a blacksmith shop, post office, schoolhouse, and homesteads, and was served by three stages each week. In 1855, a steam sawmill was built along the creek by Bigalow Case and Edwin Youmans. The sawmill closed a few decades later when the company had depleted the area of timber. Other early settlers in the Honey Creek hamlet included the Cornwall, Douvalle, Smith, Sheldon, Strong, Marsh, and Marlott families. The settlers were mainly people of British ancestry who were practicing Episcopalians and Baptists.

As settlers, mainly Germans, began to migrate south and west from the Washington Park neighborhood, the terrain to the north of the West Allis hamlet began a long process of filling up. The City of Milwaukee annexed the area that would become the Cannon Park neighborhood. By the 1930s, there were only a handful of residents living in today’s Cannon Park. Bluemound Road was just being built. The street followed an Indian trail from Milwaukee to Dane County. In 1940 the section of Bluemound that was in today’s Cannon Park neighborhood had one resident and one business—a tavern owned by Claud I. Simone.

Todays neighborhood- N. 91st St. & W. Michigan St.

Approximate boundaries: N-W. Wisconsin Ave; S-I-94; E-Glenview Ave; W-Hwy 45

Cannon Park family (1940s) Names selected from the Milwaukee City Directory in the Cannon Park area

(other information found in U.S. Census records)

The Arnsteins

Sometime before 1940, the Arnstein family moved to 9102 W. Mount Vernon in the Cannon Park neighborhood. Included in the family was Eugene M. Arnstein, his wife, Ina Belle Arnstein (nee Johnson), the couple’s child, Carlynn Arnstein, and Ina’s widowed mother, Mary Johnson.

The family head, Eugene (Gene) Arnstein, born in 1907, had been raised in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. As a very young child, Gene, his parents, and younger brother lived with the family patriarch, Henry Arnstein. A Bohemian immigrant from Austria, Henry began his life in Milwaukee as a street peddler in the old 2nd Ward. He later purchased a grocery store that employed Gene’s father Arthur and possibly his mother, the former Ida Blauweiss, also of Bohemian descent. Gene’s younger brother Emanuel would join the store staff when he was in his teens.

Gene and his brother attended and graduated from Bay View High School. (See Gene’s photo in the Bay View High yearbook in 1925.) Gene did well in high school, participated in many leadership groups, and later attended college. He left college after two years, possibly because of the advent of the Great Depression. By 1930, he was working as a manager for a group of theaters in Milwaukee.

Sometime in the early 1930s, Gene married Ina Belle Johnson. The couple moved to 60th and Wells Streets in Wauwatosa in the mid-1930s. By 1940, the Arnsteins had moved to the Cannon Park neighborhood where they rented a home and welcomed a daughter to the family. For years, they occupied the only address on Mt. Vernon in that neighborhood.

Decades later the Arnsteins moved to California. Gene died in Los Angeles in 1986. No information was found on Ina or the other family members.

Among the very lonely residents in Cannon Park during these years was the Arnstein family. See the profile below.

Post-World War Two Development of the neighborhood nearly ceased during the Depression years and through World War Two. The great postwar housing boom had a small effect on Cannon Park. Many of the streets that make up today’s neighborhood had not been built or had not been extended into the Cannon Park area. However, by the middle of the 1950s, there were over 300 residences in the neighborhood. A good share of these were rental units, particularly along Wisconsin Avenue, Bluemound Road, and Hawthorne Street. Most of the settlers were of German descent, but the

area also attracted people of French, Polish, Irish, English, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Czech, Slovenian, Bohemian, and Hungarian ancestry.

By 1956, Bluemound Road was beginning to attract commercial establishments, especially apartment buildings. See list below, followed by a summary.

Addresses on W. Bluemound in 1956

Names of businesses, apartments, offices, organizations from the Milwaukee City Directory

8904 Apartments8908 Apartments8920 Apartments8924 Apartments

9152 Ravenwood Filling Station9155 Jerry’s Tap

9200 Hoppe’s Service Station9209 Skil Corp Electric Tools9216 Apartments9230 Zimmermann Homes Inc. Contractors9235 Martin Luther Evangelical Church

Summary and notes from census and other records: The number of apartment buildings reflects the general postwar need for housing in Milwaukee. •The lack of grocery stores, barbers, cleaners, and drug stores in Cannon Park •demonstrates the extent to which residents were depending on the automobile by the mid-1950s. Jerry’s Tap was owed by Gerald J. Spahn who had lived on S. 27th near Lincoln and worked •as a bartender before opening his own tavern. He was the grandson of German immigrants. Skil (SKIL) Corp was and remains a multinational firm specializing in power tools. •Martin Luther Evangelical Church remains active at that address today.•

Current populations (as of 2017) Today, Cannon Park has just under 2,300 residents. Of these approximately three-quarters are European Americans—the largest number of these still claim German ancestry, but the Central and Eastern European element remains in the neighborhood. Approximately 1 in 8 are Latinos (about two-thirds of Mexican and one-third of Puerto Rican ancestry) and 1 in 14 are African Americans. There is also a scattering of Asians (mainly of Indian and Chinese descent), indigenous Africans, and people of mixed racial ancestry in the neighborhood. The average age of residents is 43.

With a median household income of slightly under $50,000 a year, Cannon Park lies on the cusp of a lower middle to middle income neighborhood. Just under half of all residents hold bachelor’s or graduate degrees, making this a well-educated neighborhood relative to other Milwaukee areas. The main occupations claimed by adult residents are in the fields of administration, production, and management. Cannon Park has over five times the number of people who are health technicians than Milwaukeeans elsewhere.

Despite the large number of rental units in Cannon Park, home ownership is relatively high for Milwaukee. Approximately half of all property units are owned.

RECURRING NEARBY OUTINGS In the following section the website addresses have been eliminated due to technical problems with the various ways different web browsers display PDF files. Website information on these events is available through the book Milwaukee Area Outings on the Cheap. See below.

ICE FISHING & WINTER SPORTS SHOWWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Dec., Fri. 12-7pm; Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 9am-2pm

Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th, West Allis

Rows of exhibits with products and services dedicated to the ice fishing and winter sports enthusiast.

Free

HMONG NEW YEARWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Dec., Sat., Sun. 8am-5pm

State Fair Park Expo Center; 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

Celebration marks the end of the Hmong harvest season, which ends on November 31, and a time of several days of music, singing, dancing, games, and food.

Adults $3; free seniors, kids <12 free

WONDERFUL WORLD OF WEDDINGSWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Jan., Sat., Sun.10am-4:30pm


The latest trends in wedding gowns, tuxedos, photographers, florists, music, sample wedding cakes and food tastings, over 100 exhibitors.

$10, $8.50 seniors, $8 military, free kids <13

MILWAUKEE BOAT SHOWWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionMid Jan., one week, two weekends (except Mon & Tue


Wisconsin’s largest boat show with over 400 boats from over 80 manufacturers, yachts, aluminum fishing boats, ski boats, pontoons, runabouts & jet skis, plus dock systems & marine accessories.

$10, free kids <13 with adult

GREAT LAKES PET EXPOWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionLate Jan. 1-5pm State Fair Park Expo

Center; 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

Wisconsin’s largest charitable event that raises money for compan-ion animals in Wisconsin. Featuring exhibitors including local Wis-consin rescues, pet products and services, great entertainment, and the best shopping for pet lovers.

$6. Free kids <13 & military w/ID

WOMAN UP!When? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Feb. Sat. 10am-4pm


A day to celebrate all walks of a woman’s life with 250+ vendors and experts in health care, fitness, finance, beauty, education and food as you shop, sample, and listen to presentations.

$7

MILWAUKEE/NARI SPRING IMPROVEMENT SHOWWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionMid Feb. Thu-Sun., 12-8pm


Home improvement trade show with special attractions and interactive entertainment.

$10. $8 seniors, free kids <16 & military w/ID

MILWAUKEE RV SHOWWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionLate Feb. Thu. thru Sun.


Displays and sales of a wide range of recreational vehicles including pop-up campers, travel trailers, 5th wheels and motorhomes.

$8, $7 seniors, free kids <13

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL SPORTS SHOWWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Mar. Sun. thru Wed., see hours on website


Exhibits on fishing, hunting, camping, boating and outdoor adventure.

$7, free kids <13

WINTER POWWOWWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionMid Mar., Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 11am-6pm


American Indian traditional powwow with interactive tribal dances planned to include the general public, with extensive marketplace, traditional foods, and family friendly environment.

$8, $6 seniors, free kids <13

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVEWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionJun., Jul., Aug. Wed.’s, 6-11pm

State Fair Park, Budweiser Pavilion, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis

Milwaukee’s most popular local bands entertain thousands of fans each week at this indoor/outdoor family friendly concert venue.

Free

GREEK FESTWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionLate Jun. Fri./Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 11am-9pm

State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis

Festival of Greek food, dance, concerts, marketplace.

Free

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR--$2 THURSDAYWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Aug., Thu. (promotion ends at 4pm)


Barnyard animals, crafts, live music, big name entertainers, food, exhibits, and, of course, a midway.

$2 with 2 non- perishable food items or donation

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR—FAMILY FUN MONDAYWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Aug., Mon. 8am-6pm


Barnyard animals, crafts, live music, big name entertainers, food, exhibits, and, of course, a midway.

$5 adults, free kids <12

HOLIDAY FOLK FAIR INTERNATIONALWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionMid November, Fri.- Sun.


Multicultural festival of music, food, dance, and the arts.

$10 adults in ad-vance, seniors, kids 6-12, free kids <6

HORSE EXPOWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionMid Sep., Thu. 7am- 9pm, Fri. 7am-5pm, Sat. 7am-9pm, Sun. 7am-1pm


Wisconsin State 4-H horse expo including English and Western pleasure, showmanship, trail, and more.

Free

MAKER FAIRE MILWAUKEEWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionLate Sep., Sat. 9am-6pm, Sun. 10am-5pm


Showcase of invention, creativity, tech enthusiasts, crafters, artists, educators, tinkerers, students and others.

Free

HARVEST FAIRWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionLate Sep., Fri. 5- 11pm, Sat. 9am- 11pm, Sun. 9am- 5pm


Autumn fair that features rides, food, games such as pumpkin bowling,and contests such as the pumpkin chuckin’.

Free

These outings are provided courtesy of MECAH Publishing. To access the book that provides nearly 600 outings—all priced under $10—for the entire Greater Milwaukee area, go to http://mecahmilwaukee.com/NonFiction.html

FAMILY FREE DAY AT THE ZOOWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., Mar., select Sat.’s 9:30am-4:30pm

Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd., Wauwatosa

If you want to stay warm, we have many indoor animal exhibits for your enjoyment. If you’re more of the outdoorsy type, you’ll also find many outdoor animal exhibits.

Free

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN ART & CRAFT FAIRWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionEarly Jul., Sat. 9am-4pm

Wisconsin Lutheran College campus, 8800 W. Bluemound Rd.

Arts & crafts booths, silent auction, music, food.

Free

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT—ZOOWhen? Where? Description and contact info AdmissionFirst week Aug., weekday 4- 8pm

Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W Bluemound Rd., Wauwatosa

Fun evening of free food, games, rides, animals, chance to dialogue with local police and community organizations,

Free, pre- registration required

QUOTES FROM RESIDENTS

PHOTOS

Todays neighborhood- W. Mt. Vernon Ave.

If you are a resident of this neighborhood and wish to make an interesting observation about it, please send your quote to [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Todays neighborhood- W. Mt. Vernon Ave & N. 95th St.

Todays neighborhood- Cannon Park

Todays neighborhood- N. 91st St. & W. Michigan St.

For more information on Milwaukee neighborhoods, refer to John Gurda’s Milwaukee, City of Neighborhoods.

www.urban-anthropology.org

Todays neighborhood- W. Park Hill Ave..

Todays neighborhood- Martin Luther Lutheran Church at N. 93rd St.

& W. St. Paul Ave.

Do you have great photos of this neighborhood? Are you a resident with an interesting quote about this neighborhood? Do you have recurring outings, additions, corrections, or general comments about this neighborhood? Please email your input to Dr. Jill Florence Lackey at: [email protected]

approximate boundaries: n s e w we st side cannon park park.pdf · by the 1930s, there were only a...

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