Lake Park Time Machine
Step back in time to view Milwaukee County Parks' Lake Park during its early years, from 1895-1925.
Lake Park Lighthouse (1890) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
Welcome to Lake Park in 1890. The land, bordering Lake Michigan, included the site of the government lighthouse, shown here, and a private beer garden called Ludderman's On the Lake.
Lion bridges and northpoint lighthouse by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The land that now forms Lake Park, was purchased by the newly formed Milwaukee Parks Commission in 1891, for $255,175.
The original lighthosue, built in 1855, was abandoned due to bluff erosion, and a new lighthouse was built 100 feet further inshore and opened in 1888.
Lake Park Brick Arch Bridge (1893) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The Parks Commission hired the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted to design Lake Park. His design included a scenic carriageway through the park.
Lake Park steel arch bridge by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
To create the carriageway, several bridges were constructed to span the ravines, including a brick arch bridge, the Lion Bridges, and this steel arch bridge, designed by Oscar Sanne.
Lake Park Newberry Blvd (1919) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
A grand formal entrance at Newberry Boulevard, completed in 1896, greeted visitors to the park...
Lake Park Newberry Blvd by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
...the formal entrance was designed as a floral showcase in summer with colorful beds in the median. Newberry Boulevard itself was designed by Olmsted as a link between Lake and Riverside Parks.
Lake Park Newberry Blvd with car by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The Newberry Boulevard remained the main entry point for visitors arriving by carriage, motor vehicle or bicycle...
Lake Park tram station (1895) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
...a streetcar station, built in 1895, provided another transportation option for park visitors.
Lake Park tram station by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The Lake Park Depot streetcar station was designed by architect Howland Russell and completed in 1895.
Lake Park car station by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The Milwaukee Street Railway Company funded free concerts - “the afternoon concerts, coupled with the excellent transportation facilities , drew great crowds to this shady and cool lake plateau”.
Lake Park concert (1914) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
Other concert goers arrived by motor vehicle...
Lake Park tallyhoe (1914) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
...or on a tally-ho - a horse drawn carriage used for group sight-seeing tours.
Lake Park concert grove (1914) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
Free concerts attracted large crowds from Milwaukee and beyond.
Lake Park lawn bowling by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
Additional park attractions included a six hole golf course, and this lawn bowling green, added by 1919.
Lake Park tennis (1914) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
Lawn tennis courts, close to the lawn bowling green, were also added by 1914.
Lake Park playground by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
A playground, built in 1906, featured seesaws, a merry-go-round, gravel wading pool, sandbox, and other equipment.
Lake Park ice rink (1917) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
In winter, visitors to Lake Park could skate on a frozen rink...
Lake Park taboggon (1917) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
...or slide down the toboggan run on a sled.
Lake Park Northpoint Lighthouse by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
As Lake Park developed, and trees grew, the light house tower had to heightened in 1912 to ensure its beam could be seen above the treeline.
Lake Park pavilion by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The concert grove and gazebo were west of the pavilion, designed by Alfred C. Clas, which opened to the public on July 11, 1903.
Lake Park ravine road by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
A Grand Staircase to the east of the pavilion led down to Ravine Road and the lakefront.
Lake Park balcony by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The Grand Staircase also led to stadium balcony - a viewing area over the Lake Park athletic fields.
Lake Park stadium by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The athletic fields hosted public sporting events with a view over Lake Michigan.
Lake Park gun club view (1920) by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
By 1920, the Milwaukee Gun Club was also in operation along the lakefront in Lake Park.
Lake Park trap shooting club by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
The trap shooting club had 100 members in 1920, and hosted trap shooting tournaments.
Lake Park view from the lighthouse by Jos Brown PhotographyMilwaukee County Parks
A view of Milwaukee, looking South from the Northpoint Lighthouse tower.
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