b'MOVE MKE: MILWAUKEE LIVINGWHERE THE WATERS MEET:A brief history of the Milwaukee RegionNative Americans were the first tonotably the Revolutionary War and the realize the beauty of MilwaukeesWar of 1812. location at the mouths of theGermans were among the citys first Kinnickinnic, Menomonee andimmigrants, and they soon dominated Milwaukee rivers. They called itthe city. By 1850, one-third of the citys Milwaukie, which means where thepopulation was German and by the waters meet. Its natural harbor andearly 1900s, the city was referred to as lightly wooded bluffs made it a perfectthe German Athens of America. location. By 1817, Milwaukee wasThe citys South Side Polish population already a cosmopolitan village with anMilwaukee County Historical Society was the second largest ethnic group. estimated 300 people representing a variety of tribes, including the Sac, Fox,Milwaukees first African-American Chippewa, Ottawa, Winnebago,Father Jacques Marquette, whochurch dates back to 1869, but the Menomonee and Potawatomi. Theycamped here in 1674. He was sooncitys African-American community did speared fish in the three rivers andfollowed by fur trappers drawn to thenot start growing rapidly until after grew wild rice in the grassy swampsarea by its wealth of natural resources.World War I. The first Hispanics arrived where Milwaukees downtown nowNative Americans and fur trappers keptin the early 1920s, when local tanneries stands. a cautious distance from each other, butrecruited men from Mexican villages. One of the first known Europeans tofrom time to time indigenous peoplesMilwaukees economy grew rapidly visit the area was Jesuit missionaryhelped fight white mens wars, mostbetween 1940 and 1980, and its metropolitan population increased 59 percent, to 1.4 million people.A Melting Pot of PeopleAt the beginning of the 1980s, Milwaukee was one of the leading One of Americas Friendliest Citiesmanufacturing cities in the country. Allis-Chalmers, Harnischfeger, Briggs & Who are we? For starters, wereStratton, Harley-Davidson, A. O. Smith, friendly. In fact, we were named one ofAllen-Bradley and Bucyrus-Erie had Americas friendliest cities by Travel &made the city famous. The local Leisure magazine. Were down-to- economys dependence on earth, hard-working and like to havemanufacturing jobs left it vulnerable to fun. We thrive, because we are athe manufacturing recession of the late diverse community that celebrates our1970s and early 1980s, when tens of past, present and future. thousands of people lost their jobs as Once known as a melting pot thatfactories closed or moved their drew its strength from the variedoperations out of the state. immigrant groups who planted roots here hoping to find opportunity, peace andSince then, Milwaukee has rebuilt its prosperity, Milwaukee can now be seen as a nexus that connects individuals fromeconomy, this time with a diversified various backgrounds to create a vibrant and strong urban environment. Thebase and an increased emphasis on metropolitan region is 66% White, 17% Black, 12% Hispanic/Latino and 4% Asian.exports. It has also become a leader in Thirty-five percent of the total population identify as having German ancestry, 11%the development of e-commerce and Polish, 10% Irish, 4% English and 4% Italian. Among the Hispanic population, 68%green technologies. This shift to identify as having Mexican ancestry and 23% are of Puerto Rican descent. Amongservice-based industries has offered the Asian population, 28% are Hmong, 27% are Indian and 13% are Chinese. some protection against severe swings Milwaukee embraces the distinct character of its various heritages by hosting ain manufacturing cycles.cavalcade of ethnic festivals throughout the year, bringing together the larger community to celebrate the unique contributions and traditions of each group.If youre looking for more detailed Larger festivals rotate through the lakefront Henry W. Maier Festival Park,information about the regions colorful including Polish Fest, German Fest, Mexican Fiesta and Irish Fest. history, visit milwaukeepbs.org/the-Milwaukee is home to a large, vibrant and active LGBTQ+ community that offersmaking-of-milwaukee, which features engagement, support resources, film festivals and social events, includingvideo history segments assembled by PrideFest Milwaukee, an annual celebration held on Milwaukees lakefront. noted historian John Gurda, or explore the Encyclopedia of Milwaukee digital humanities project at emke.uwm.edu.10 YOUR RELOCATION RESOURCE'