This Is What Milwaukee Looked Like 100 Years Ago And It May Surprise You

Milwaukee has quite an interesting history, but very few of us weren't around 100 years ago to see it. Brew City has kept a lot of its past alive to this day. From our breweries to our beautiful City Hall, you can see where our little city comes from. Here's what Milwaukee looked like 100 years ago.

This sweeping panoramic view of the city was snapped around 1898.

For nearly 80 years, City Hall was Milwaukee's tallest building. It still outshines many buildings, just like it did here in 1901.

Here's the Mitchell Building in 1876. It's said to have housed Milwaukee's first mayor.

Milwaukee has always been an industry city, and many railroad connections like these from 1901 are still in operation.

1914: The Milwaukee Turnverein gymnasium, now Turner Hall, is still fully operating and acts as a concert venue.

The Pabst Building occupied this spot on Wisconsin Ave. between 1891 to 1981.

This photo, snapped sometime between 1880 and 1899, shows the Chicago & North Western Railway Station.

This detailed drawing of the popular Menomonee Valley was created in 1882!

How cool is this photo of pit crews working on the racecars at the 1912 American Grand Prize? The race was held in Wauwatosa.

Caleb Bragg, the driver of car #41, won the race!

The Merrill Theatre, circa 1917. This vaudeville themed theatre is now filled with shoppers, as it sat where the Shops of Grand Avenue are today.

Here's another amazing drawing detailing the city of Milwaukee as seen from Bay View circa 1882.

Ok, so this photo isn't of the city, but we think it's pretty cool! The USS Milwaukee (C-21) was named for the city in honor of its sponsor, Janet Mitchell - daughter of U.S. Senator John L. Mitchell of Wisconsin. The ship was completed in 1904, but ran aground in Eureka, CA and stranded in 1917.

Which historic Milwaukee photo was your favorite? What similarities do you see between the past and present-day? Let us know in the comments!

For more fascinating information about our little city, check out these awesome facts about Milwaukee.