In the late 1800s, the Menomonee River Valley attracted a surge of industrial workers, giving rise to the pioneering neighborhoods of Piggsville, Merrill Park, and Concordia – the first substantial communities west of downtown. Fondly referred to as the “bucket brigade,” these workers, carrying lunch pails, formed the backbone of the Valley’s industrial landscape. Meanwhile, in the southwest neighborhood of Silver City, the moniker pays homage to the Milwaukee Road Shops employees who were paid in silver dollars. On payday, a lively exchange of silver dollars unfolded in the numerous saloons lining National Avenue, etching a distinctive chapter in the Valley’s industrial history.
In the early 1900s, Milwaukee earned the nickname “Machine Shop of the World,” with the Menomonee River Valley serving as its bustling engine. The Valley was a hub for manufacturing farm machinery, rail cars, electric motors, and cranes. It transformed raw materials—clay into cream city bricks, wheat into flour, hogs into ham, barley into beer—utilizing every part of cattle for meat, leather, and tallow (for soap and candles). While these industrial transformations provided employment for thousands, they also took a toll on the natural resources of the Valley.
Between 1879 and 1985, the Menomonee River Valley housed the Milwaukee Road Shops, an expansive facility dedicated to manufacturing rail cars and locomotives for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. During the 1900s, the Milwaukee Road stood as one of Milwaukee’s major employers, boasting nearly 3,000 employees, many of whom resided in the adjacent neighborhoods and commuted on foot to their workplace.
Today, Silver City is a diverse neighborhood with great access to transportation, parks, and recreation.
Doors Open Milwaukee is an annual celebration of Milwaukee’s architecture, history and neighborhoods. The event opens 190+ locations throughout the metro area to tour for free, including Valley View Commons. Take a look at our history below.
With 5,000 square feet of flexible, open space the building is perfect for a company needing light manufacturing, assembly, storage or creative workshop space. The building is zoned for a variety of uses with an overhead, drive-in door, a common kitchenette as well as a patio overlooking the Menomonee River and Three Bridges Park. There is approximately 3,000 square feet office space upstairs that will be built to suit with cream city brick walls, new windows, and flooring. The coffee shop next door and easy access to the Stadium Freeway and I94 make this the perfect location for any business.
Neighbored by The Urban Ecology Center, Escuela Verde, and Fixation Bicycle Company, this neighborhood could be the perfect place to plant your business.
