Five things to know about Milwaukee's Rufus King neighborhood
Milwaukee has dozens of distinct neighborhoods.
Here’s what to know about the Rufus King neighborhood, which is home to more than 5,000 people.
Information in this article comes from anthropologists at Urban Anthropology Inc. and past Journal Sentinel coverage.
Where is it?
Two diagonally running streets form the east and west boundaries of the neighborhood — North Green Bay and North Teutonia Avenues.
West Cornell Street between Teutonia and Green Bay Avenues defines the northern border. The southern border is defined as West Capitol Drive between Teutonia and Green Bay.
Who was Rufus King?
The Rufus King neighborhood gets its name from its high school, named after a Civil War general who was a passionate advocate for public education.
Born in New York City, King moved to Milwaukee in 1845 to assume editorship of the Milwaukee Sentinel and Gazette. King soon used the newspaper to advocate for free schools.
King was elected to the state's second constitutional convention as a Whig. He quickly became the city's strongest advocate for public education, advocating for free libraries and working to improve the city's schools throughout the 1840s and 1850s.
In 1846, King became the first school board president and the first superintendent of Milwaukee schools when the position was formalized in 1859. He served on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents from 1848 to 1854.
King joined the Republican Party in the late 1850s because he opposed slavery. He left an appointment as U.S. Minister to the Vatican in order to serve in the Civil War. He was reprimanded for retreating in the face of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson's troops. King held non-combat positions until he resigned his commission in 1863.
Following the war, King moved to Rome for several years before moving back to his home state of New York, where he lived until his death in 1876.
What are the restaurants, shops, playgrounds in Rufus King?
Aside from Rufus King International High School, the likely anchor of the Rufus King neighborhood is Mr. Perkins Family Restaurant. Located on the corner of West Atkinson Avenue and North 20th Street, passersby may seemingly drive by the nondescript building without even realizing they've passed the restaurant.
The soul food restaurant is a popular spot for notable people when in town, from presidential candidates to famous athletes.
The restaurant is owned by Cherry Perkins, who married the late Willie Jr. Perkins, whose parents owned the business. Willie Sr. and Hilda Perkins opened the restaurant in 1969.
Across Atkinson Avenue from Mr. Perkins Family Restaurant is the Milwaukee Public Library Atkinson Branch, and less than a mile north of the library is William Gore Park, which features a playground and basketball courts.
Located along the eastern edge of the neighborhood is Weber's Greenhouses, founded in 1931 by Frank Weber, who originally sold flowers. Weber's son and grandson developed the business into a garden center and neighborhood greenhouse.
Teens Grow Greens Inc. purchased Weber's in 2018. The greenhouse now employs teens in the community to help assist with the plants, which are then sold to the public.
Across Olive Street from the greenhouse is Daq Shack, a food and drink spot that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
What is unique about Rufus King?
Not only is the neighborhood home to one of the best high schools in the state, it is also was home to one of the most famous people to ever live — Hank Aaron.
While playing for the Milwaukee Braves, Aaron and his family resided in the 4000 block of North 14th Street in the 1950s.
Simply put, Hammerin' Hank is one of the best baseball players ever. Aaron won the World Series in 1957 as a member of the Milwaukee Braves. He won the MVP award that same year. Over his 23 seasons as a member of the Braves (both Milwaukee and Atlanta), and as a member of the Brewers, Aaron hit 755 home runs, which was the most ever when he retired in 1976.
New to the neighborhood? Here’s how to access Milwaukee services.
Rufus King is located in the 1st aldermanic district. You can find city resources at https://city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil/Council-Members/District1.
Rufus King is in Police District 5, which has public safety meetings at 5:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at various locations that can be found at https://city.milwaukee.gov/police/districts/District-5.
Find your garbage and recycling schedule at city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation/GarbageRecyclingSchedules.
Learn how to register to vote and find your polling place at city.milwaukee.gov/election/Voter-Info.
Need to borrow tools for a home improvement project? Check out the city’s Tool Loan Center, 2500 W. Capitol Drive. More details at bit.ly/MKE_ToolLoan.
Want to get emailed updates about police activity, new development and more in your neighborhood? Sign up for the city’s e-notify system at city.milwaukee.gov/News-Events/enotify.
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Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Rufus King neighborhood: 5 things to know
