Title	Remember When...these establishments graced Grand av.?
Description	The mayor's beautification committee would be distressed to say the least if this were part of the Wisconsin av. scene today, but this is how Grand av., now W. Wisconsin av. across from Gimbels, looked in the mid-1890's. A conglomeration of billboards called attention to attractions at the Davidson, People's and Academy theaters and Bijou Opera House as well as the latest on view at the Exposition building. The only Milwaukee theater which was not advertised was the Pabst. Below the colorful displays were a number of Milwaukee business establishments. Beginning at the left was the Lightning Messenger and Express Co., owned by Charles and William Coakley and offering "lightning fast" service. Right next door was the temporary headquarters for Adolph R. Winckler's cigar store. T. L. Steven's shooting gallery was one of two operating in Milwaukee at the time, where you could get three shots for a nickel. Henry J. Wehr's lager beer hall, 4 Grand av., was one of the popular "night spots” in the city in those days. And if you needed a shine, you could get one for 5c at Ben’s shining stand. None of these interesting establishments is located in the area today. The block is now occupied by the Riverside theater, a Walgreen drugstore and a variety of other shops. (Picture and information from the local history collection of the Milwaukee public library.)
Library of Congress Subject Headings	Grand Avenue (Milwaukee, Wis.); Wisconsin Avenue (Milwaukee, Wis.); Streets -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee; Lightning Messenger and Express Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.); Coakley, Charles; Coakley, William; Advertising, outdoor -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee; Business enterprises -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee; Stevens, Thomas L.
Publisher	Milwaukee Public Library
Date Original	1892
Source	Milwaukee Journal
Newspaper Publication Date	08-17-1966
Date Copyrighted	2005
Type	Image
Has Format	Photograph
Relation	RW 289
Collection	Remember When, F. P. Zeidler Humanities Room, Milwaukee Public Library
Rights	All rights reserved © Milwaukee Public Library
Order form	http://www.mpl.org/coldfusion/email_digital_rw.cfm
Date created	01-05-2006