Here's a guide to Milwaukee's lower east side neighborhood
There are more than 75 distinct neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
Among the most well known is the lower east side, home to Brady Street, which grew into the commercial corridor it is today with the arrival of Polish immigrants in the 1800s.
Where is Milwaukee's lower east side?
The name is a bit of a misnomer. The neighborhood is definitely east — it nearly borders Lake Michigan — but north to south, it actually sits in the middle of the city.
East North Avenue is the lower east side's northern border; East Ogden Avenue is its southern border. West to east, the neighborhood is walled in by water: the Milwaukee River to the west and North Prospect Avenue, which runs above Lake Michigan, to the east.
Historic Brady Street grew with the arrival of immigrants
Cutting through the middle of the lower east side is East Brady Street, known as one of the city's best areas for bars, restaurants and small businesses. It was included on the first city directory in 1847 and grew with the arrival of immigrants from Poland, Italy and Germany.
In the 1870s, Polish immigrants transformed the area "from a swampy no man's land at the edge of the city into a thriving microcosm of Polish-American life," according to a city document about the area.
Still standing is the St. Hedwig Catholic Church at 1702 N. Humboldt Ave., a 162-foot steepled structure first founded by the local Polish community in 1871.
Today, roughly 17,000 people live in the densely populated neighborhood, according to census data cited by the Department of City Development.
Their homes include a mix of single-family houses, smaller apartment buildings and residential high-rises with both rental and condominium units.
The neighborhood could be adding more housing, with the common council recently approving revised plans for an apartment tower at North Farwell Avenue and East Curtis Place.
Brady Street draws crowds with small businesses and festivals
Today, the Brady Street historic district is designated as the approximately eight-block stretch between North Farwell Avenue and North Van Buren Street.
Among Brady Street's well-known spots are two local businesses tied to the area's Italian immigrants: Glorioso's Italian Market, a local grocery store that opened 1946, and the Peter Sciortino Bakery, which opened in 1947.
More: Brady Street Moveable Feast: Where and what to eat on Milwaukee's Lower East Side
The summer Brady Street Festival is a neighborhood tradition dating to 1973.
Other popular destinations in the lower east side
It's not just Brady Street that makes the lower east side one of the most popular areas in the city. The area surrounding the intersection of East North Avenue and two major one-way streets — Prospect and Farwell — is also known for its restaurants, shopping and night life. Busy traffic in the area has also drawn attention to safety issues for pedestrians and bikers.
That area, on the far north edge of the neighborhood, is home Ma Fischer's, a classic diner that's been open since 1932. It's an easy walk to bowling, arcade games or live music at Landmark Lanes or a movie at the historic Oriental Theater.
Farther south on Farwell is Comet Cafe, another diner known for its breakfast food and pies that made a 2009 appearance on the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
Also in the lower east side is Wolski's Tavern, 1836 N. Pulaski St. The bar, which opened in 1908, is the reason "I closed Wolski's" bumper stickers are scattered around the city, earned by late-night patrons only.
New to the neighborhood? Here’s how to access Milwaukee services
The lower east side is in the 3rd Aldermanic District. Contact your alderperson and find news about the district at city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil/CouncilMembers/District4.
The lower east side falls within Police District 1. Public meetings take place at the Milwaukee Public Library, located at 733 N. 8th St. Visit city.milwaukee.gov/police/districts/District-1 for more information.
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.
Tell us about your Milwaukee neighborhood. We want to hear from you!
What makes your Milwaukee neighborhood special to you? Do you have any photos in the neighborhood you'd like to share? Share more at bit.ly/MKE_Neighborhoods.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A guide to Milwaukee's lower east side neighborhood
