When Milwaukee was the Machine Shop of the World, the Menomonee River Valley was its engine. The Valley was a prime location for industry because of its easy access to the railway and canal network. With more than 20 historic industrial buildings on the street, W St. Paul Ave has a rich collection of historic industrial buildings that haven't changed much over time, but their uses have.
When Sobelman’s Pub & Grill opened in 2000, there wasn’t a lot of action on the street apart from the drag racing. Today there are a dozen locally-owned businesses that are part of the growing St. Paul Avenue Design District. Businesses are renovating historic buildings and repurposing them to showcase furniture, lighting, decorative stone, antiques, and more. This didn’t happen overnight and was made possible by people coming together. Join Menomonee Valley Partners, the lead agency in the redevelopment of the Valley, on a stroll through the street’s history, visit a couple of the businesses, and hear how this street transformed over the last 100 years or so.
This is a one-way walk. We’ll begin at Brass Light Gallery (1101 W St. Paul Ave) and walk seven blocks west to Riverview Antique Market. You can stop by some of the shops on your way back to Brass Light Gallery at the end of the walk. Grab lunch at Sobelman’s and then a beer at Third Space Brewing to add some local flavor to your walk!
This 7-block walk is accessible for all, using city streets. The walk will occur rain or shine.
Buses 12, 14, 30, 31, 57, 81, and BLU have stops near Brass Light Gallery. Or you can take The Hop to the Amtrak Intermodal Station. Street parking is available.
Learn more about the Design District on St. Paul Avenue.
This walk is led by Menomonee Valley Partners.
Jane's Walk MKE COVID-19 Policy
Participants who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear masks. Consistent with the CDC guidance, it is recommended that those who are not vaccinated continue to wear masks at this time.
If you feel ill or suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, please do not enter attend any walks.
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Find more walks, bikes, paddles, and rolls at janeswalkmke.org/calendar or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/janeswalkmke/events/
Find out how to lead your OWN at janeswalkmke.org
Sign up to receive Jane’s Walk MKE newsletters at http://eepurl.com/giPDKL
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As a program of Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall, Jane’s Walk MKE is part of a worldwide movement of over 200 cities hosting free, resident-led walking tours inspired by urbanist and writer Jane Jacobs. Milwaukee is unique by expanding Jane’s Walk from one weekend to the whole month. Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was a writer, urbanist and activist who championed the voices of everyday people in neighborhood planning and city-building.
