|
|
Valley Yards Photos |
|||||||||||||||||||
The Valley YardsMilwaukee was built where the Menomonee River, Kinnickinnic River, and the Milwaukee River converge into Lake Michigan. In the heart of the city is the Menomonee Valley which was named for the river that flowed through. It was once a vast swamp extending from the lake to what is now 42nd street. In places, the water was reported to be up to 25 feet deep. The predecessors of the Milwaukee Road filled in the land when they needed more real estate for development. Because the city considered the swamp an unsightly mess and nuisance, eventually a law was passed that required the railroad to fill in the rest of the valley. The Valley Yards consisted of a number of separate yards that kept the entire railroad system relatively "fluid." Important components of the Milwaukee's valley yards include:
The Milwaukee Shops were famous for their homebuilt equipment which included streamlined passenger cars; all-welded, rib-side boxcars and cabooses; and steam locomotives. In 1910, the railroad boasted that its shops could build 10 complete steam locomotives per month and 28 freight cars per day. The railroad and other industries in the valley, including large meat-packers, were major employers for local residents. As they grew, the city of Milwaukee grew around the Valley. What was once considered undesirable land that could not be developed was slowly transformed by the Milwaukee Road into one of Milwaukee's most important assets. [ Back to Top ] |
©2003-2005,