Harambee Past Present Future

One of the Harambee neighborhood's greatest assets is its rich history throughout the years from settlement until today. Did you know these Harambee historical facts?

Williamsburg was the trading center of its farming community in the mid-1800's.

Clinton Rose Park was known as Scheutzen (Rifleman's) Park (1866-1891, with a rifle range, dance hall, bowling alley and saloon), and Pabst Park (1891-1921, owned by the Pabst Brewery with a roller coaster, a carousel and a Fun House), Garfield Park (1921-1982, renamed by new owner Milwaukee County in honor of the 21st US President), prior to being named for the area's long time County Supervisor (in 1982).

The Riverworks area first developed as center of industry in 1920 with the construction of the Seaman auto body plant. The industrial jobs attracted new ethnic groups--Italians, Polish, and African Americans--to live in the neighborhood within walking distance of their jobs.

The first African Americans arrived in the Harambee Neighborhood in the 1930's, and by 1970 were the largest ethnic group in the neighborhood.

Third Street was renamed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1985.

The steep bluff around First and Locust was once known as Goat Hill.

Former Mayor Frank Zeidler lived in the Harambee Neighborhood from 1946 until his death in 2006.

The Harambee Neighborhood borrowed its name from the Harambee Community School, which had opened in 1969 in the former St. Elizabeth's School on 1st and Burleigh, named for the Swahili word for "pulling together."

The Harambee Ombudsmen Project began over 25 years ago promoting pride and stability through a network of block leaders that had grown to more than 300 in number by 1980.

This information comes from the Department of City Development. What do you know and remember about Harambee's history? Email me with your thoughts, and I will publish them here.

On Saturday, May 5, Riverworks is hosting an event where you can share your memories and historical knowledge about the Harambee Neighborhood, as well as participate in planning for the neighborhood's continued forward progress. Join the Harambee North Neighborhood Planning effort...contact Steve Adams at 414.906.9650 for more information.

Welcome to Harambee Blog

Welcome to a blog about the Harambee Neighborhood of Milwaukee. The blog will contain posts of relevance to the Harambee Neighborhood, in particular the northern section, defined by Center Street on the south, Capitol Drive on the north, I-43 on the west, and Holton Street on the east. The neighborhood began work on a neighborhood plan in late 2006. This planning process will involve local residents and business owners in creating a vision for their community and determining strategic priorities. The plan will include physical, social, and economic improvements that address key quality of life issues. Further, the plan will serve as a blueprint for investment in the neighborhood by public, private, and philanthropic entities.

This blog welcomes and encourages comments from readers. Authors of this blog are participants in the Harambee Great Neighborhood Task Force. If you'd like to get involved, email kberger@lisc.org.