What was Bronzeville?

When emigrants from the southern states were moving up to the industrialized north, they had a myriad of towns and cities in which to choose to settle down. A popular route involved taking a train to the midwest metropolis of Chicago, Illinois--but to some, that endeavor proved a little to intimidating, and they opted instead for the less hectic lifestyle of Milwaukee.

The first hints of a gathering of southern emigrants occurred in 1900, when there were literally less than 900 African Americans in the entire city. From that point on until the late 50s--early 60s, the section grew by leaps and bounds. Much controversy surrounded the growth however, as rather bigoted mayors assumed that the influx of black citizens spelled social problems for Milwaukee. Frank Ziedler, the only socialist mayor of Milwaukee, for instance felt that the "chief issue" for northern cities was the black question. Henry Meier, who succeded him, in 1963 was convinced that these immigrants were unable to assimilate when they arrived, creating an ostensible wedge during his administration. What these two didn't take into account was that the community was operating fine under its own auspices.

Segregation was still very prominent in that day. African-Americans were relegated to a small quadrant that was bordered by the Milwaukee River to the east. To be sure, the limits were blocked off at the remaining cardinal directions too, as the cramped confines came to a stop at Twelfth and Third Street, as well as Walnut Street to the north. This area was known as 'Bronzeville', although it was not unique only to Milwaukee, as the phrase was simply a pejorative term for the sanctioned space where black residents called home. For there is also a well-known one in Chicago.

Bronzeville meant many things to the folks that lived and worked there everyday. To some it represented the hard work ethic of the disenfranchised, unequally treated immigrant. To others it meant the heart and soul of familial bonds and neighborly comity. Still others thought it stood for pride. Bronzeville supported a booming service industry, replete with storefronts, grocers, cafes, and barbershops. It also gave rise to a collection of vibrant jazz clubs and social venues. Churches were also a crucial part of its make-up, as well as sports organizations, schools and medical practices. A caveat is involved however, as most of these outfits were paid for by owners that had to work brutal, unenviable jobs in the city. It was tough to run a business simply on sales transactions in the day, so most managers had to lead two lives and punch in at a factory during the day.

The first corporation that began hiring African Americans in Milwaukee was A.O. Smith, which originally installed black janitors and porters into its various buildings in the early 1920s. The experience these black employees had entailed share cropping in places like Mississippi or Alabama, which might have also stymied their chances for employment on top of the existing segregation. In time, other companies did follow suit though, such as Allis-Chalmers and International Harvester. Eventually, African Americans were promoted up onto the production floor, and because of the war effort twenty years later most were engaged in the assembly of bomb casings. A.O. Smith, by war's end, had eventually churned out over five million of these artillery shells, some no doubt processed by Bronzeville residents.



As anyone who has read Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' knows, factories and production plants in the early 20th century were anything but pleasant. Unsanitary working conditions, safety hazards, absence of rights, and exhausting hours were the norm. Outside of A.O. Smith were other companies seeking employees as well, such as those involved in the iron and steel industry, tanning, construction, slaughtering and meat-packing. While toiling in one of these places, one could expect anywhere from 12.50 to 30 dollars a week in pay--hardly compensation for the dangers implicit with the job. Open lime vats were constantly steaming in tanneries, tuberculosis was a threat in the foundries, and construction injuries were prevalent. In one account, a Bronzeville resident on his own volition donned a suit of rubber to avoid getting burned in a tannery, though the suit wasn't a requirement by the company.

Hard work was a major theme running throughout Bronzeville, as exhausted factory workers returned home to support their family business or to volunteer at church events. Women, likewise, labored in domestic jobs during the day only to emulate the men in the evening. Needless to say, this inspired their progeny and set a lineage in place of manual labor being a necessity to survive and prosper in this world.

As more migrants began pouring into Bronzeville, the lack of space proved hazardous. In 1950, the African American population was just under 22,000, but in ten years it ballooned to 62,000. Many realized that they couldn't all dwell in this shrinking spot. Yet at the same time, ironically, they also supported local businesses by needing relatively inexpensive places to live, eat, receive haircuts and be entertained. In turn, rooming houses and restaraunts benefited by the rapid influx. And those who managed to find homes discovered a rather enjoyable and comfortable new life.

Most folks when it was warm slept on their front porches. Doors remained unlocked; screen doors with a tiny hook became the only means of separating a house's wares with the outside world.



Swinging nightclubs sponsoring national acts were the talk of the town. The Metropole, The Flame, Moon Glow and Art's were graced by the presence of Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Dizzy Gillespie to name a few. The shows garnered wider attention and in time attracted white patrons from Whitefish Bay, Shorewood and Bayside. There was no doubt that on some nights Bronzeville was *the* hot spot of Milwaukee.





While it may have been an exciting, cacaphonous place, it also supported familial ties and togetherness as well. Children were raised in community-oriented schools and went to churches that were run by numerous members of the community. Booker T. Washington YMCA provided an excellent outlet for sporting events and team learning, though this image is from the Lapham Park Social Center (photos from Geenen).



If one looks at Bronzeville, they'll see, just like its residents of yesteryear, that the activities and lifestyles were diverse, but the same emotion of harmonious living and communitu was felt by all.



--reported by Lawrence