A guide to Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood
What do the Fur Factory, the Nut Factory and Toy Factory all have in common?
They're all artist residences in the Riverwest neighborhood, which is among the city's more than 75 distinct neighborhoods.
Here's what to know about Riverwest.
Riverwest has a history of being a hub for artists, activism
The neighborhood became a hub for artists in the 1970s thanks to the countercultural revolution sweeping the nation during that time. These artists saw shuttered factories, tanneries and storefronts as prime spaces for galleries, art studios and even an opera company, Florentine Opera.
That counter-revolution also spawned a wave of activism thanks to students from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee crossing the river seeking cheaper housing.
Several community organizations were established including the East Side Housing Action Committee in 1972. The group was instrumental in foiling attempts to turn Locust Street into a four-lane thoroughfare that would replace homes and businesses. The group was also instrumental in giving the neighborhood its moniker in 1978.
The neighborhood was the site of some of Milwaukee’s open housing marches in the 1960s, led by then-Ald. Vel Phillips. A frequent target was then Ald. Eugene Woehrer’s home on E. Burleigh Street.
Where the Riverwest neighborhood is located
Riverwest is bounded by the Milwaukee River on the east and the south by Commerce Street, Holton Street on the west, and East Capitol Drive on the north.
Riverwest is home to restaurants, bars and breweries
The original Cafe Corazon opened in Riverwest in 2009 before expanding to other locations across Milwaukee.
Centro Cafe opened in 2009 with a cozy dining space and Italian cuisine; Bar Centro hosts live jazz next door.
Scardina Specialties at 715 E. Locust St. offers panini, fresh-cooked pasta, take-and-bake pizzas and daily specials.
The Art Bar is a Riverwest classic at 722 E. Burleigh St.; next-door diner Wonderland opened in 2019 after a massive building renovation.
Tiki bar Foundation is open seven nights a week at 2718 N. Bremen St., offering a world-class tropical drink menu and huge selection of rum.
If that doesn't wet your whistle, there are several breweries dotted around Riverwset, including Black Husky Brewing, Company Brewing, Gathering Place Brewing Company, and Amorphic Beer.
What makes Riverwest special
Riverwest has its own radio station, newspaper, the Riverwest Currents, farmers market on the 2700 Block of North Pierce, and grocery co-op. It's also home to its own Quaker meeting house located on N. Gordon Place. Its annual 24-hour bike race, Riverwest 24, takes place each year on the last weekend in July and draws thousands of riders and spectators.
The neighborhood also has two street festivals called Locust Street Festival and Center Street Day Festival.
Riverwest's Beerline trail pays homage to history
The Beerline Trail connects both Harambee and Riverwest. The 2.7-mile-long trail meanders from the Milwaukee River and N. Humboldt Ave. to W. Capitol Dr. near N. 3rd St. The half-mile northern leg, completed in 2015, runs uninterrupted from E. Keefe Ave. to the north side of W. Capitol Drive.
It takes its name from one of the main industries that once used this now-defunct railway. Beer companies such as Schiltz, Blatz and Pabst hauled beer throughout the state using the rail line.
But the former rail line is most famous for the circus that traveled the 200-plus miles from Baraboo to Milwaukee. The Great Circus Parade attracted thousands who came to see ornate circus wagons, a menagerie of animals and circus performers including clowns that marched down the street to Veterans Park on the lakefront.
Begun in 1963, the parade continued for many years until it ended in 2009. The parade paid homage to many circuses founded in the state including the founders of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Actor Ernest Borgnine served as the parade’s “Grand Clown” for nearly three decades.
When the railway was abandoned in the 1990s, Riverwest residents banded together to turn the rail line into green space. Now, it’s dotted with art installations and 10 murals, including one that’s an ode to the circus parade and beer.
Riverworks Development Corp. hosts a music series on the trail featuring local acts, food trucks and vendors selling arts and crafts.
New to Riverwest? Here's how to access city services:
Riverwest is split between the 6th and 3rd aldermanic districts. You can find resources at https://city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil/CouncilMembers/District6 and https://city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil/CouncilMembers/District3.
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.
Contact Riverwest Development Corp. to learn more about thier financial clinic, business development and creative placemaking at https://www.riverworksmke.org/riverworks-development-corp.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Milwaukee; Milwaukee: City of Neighborhoods by John Gurda
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Guide to Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood
