Greendale, Wisconsin

Greendale, Wisconsin
Village
Greendale Village Hall
Greendale Village Hall
Location of Greendale in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Location of Greendale in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Coordinates: 42°56′15″N 87°59′49″W / 42.93750°N 87.99694°W / 42.93750; -87.99694
CountryUnited States
StateWisconsin
CountyMilwaukee
Area
[1]
 • Total
5.57 sq mi (14.44 km2)
 • Land5.57 sq mi (14.41 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
[2]
738 ft (225 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
14,854
 • Estimate 
(2021)[4]
14,652
 • Density2,541.42/sq mi (981.16/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
53129
Area code414
FIPS code55-31125[5]
GNIS feature ID1565837[2]
Websitewww.greendale.org

Greendale is a village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 14,854 at the 2020 census. Greendale is located southwest of Milwaukee and is a part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. A planned community, it was established by the US government during the Great Depression.

History

[edit]
Houses in Greendale, 1939

Native American peoples

[edit]

The first recorded inhabitants of the Greendale area were various Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi. The 1833 Treaty of Chicago struck an agreement between the United States government that required the Chippewa, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes to cede to the US government 5,000,000 acres (2,000,000 ha). In exchange for ceding their lands in the area, they were to receive monetary payments and lands west of the Mississippi in Indian Territory.[6]

1930s and beyond

[edit]

Greendale was one of three government-sponsored "Greenbelt" communities constructed by the Resettlement Administration, starting in 1936, as part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The other Greenbelt communities were Greenbelt, Maryland and Greenhills, Ohio.[7] Greendale was incorporated as a village on November 1, 1938. The planners and selection committees excluded African-American families from renting homes and created a racially segregated and all-white suburban community.[8]

The original downtown area included the village hall, built in a Colonial Williamsburg style, 366 new homes comprising 572 living units, and several businesses. These homes were often referred to as "Greendale Originals".[9] The Greenbelt communities were patterned after the British garden city movement urban planning concept, built so residents could walk to schools, shops, and parks. Greendale was intended to be a model village for the working class. Income limits were from $1200 to $2700 per year, depending upon family size. In 1938, a one-bedroom Original rented for $19 a month. Rent for a four-bedroom home was $46 a month.[10] Over 200 of the "Originals" have unique artistic designs on the chimneys.

Federal ownership of Greendale ended in 1953.[11] In the late 1950s Greendale experienced growth in conjunction with the expansion of the Milwaukee suburbs as a whole. Although new homes were built and the number of minority families increased in Milwaukee County, racially restrictive covenants were used to maintain the all-white Greendale community. In 1958, the Crestview Acres land was sold by Elroy H. Barbian for development with the restrictive covenant that only white families could purchase the homes. "No Persons other than the white race shall own or occupy any building on said tract, but this covenant shall not prevent occupancy of persons of a race other than the white race who are domestic servants of the owner or occupant of said building."[12]

Southridge Mall opened in 1970 as the southern sister mall to Northridge Mall. Both malls were located on 76th Street, close to major east–west artery roads. Both were developed by Herb Kohl and Taubman Centers, Inc.

In 1996, the shopping district in the center of the village was purchased by the Grandhaven investment firm founded by Roy Reiman, founder of a publishing company headquartered in the village. The remake of the "Village Center" brought updates, attracted new restaurants, and made the village center more of a tourist attraction.[13] More than 40,000 flowers are planted annually along the downtown streets in hanging baskets, sidewalk beds, and storefront window boxes.[14]

To ease managing more than 2,000 men during Greendale's construction, workers were directed to the "A section", the "B section", the "C section", etc. This alphabetical reference has endured. Still today, all streets in each section begin with the same letter — the A section includes Angle Lane, Apricot Court, etc.[15]

Geography

[edit]

Greendale is located at 42°56′15″N 87°59′49″W / 42.937615°N 87.996884°W / 42.937615; -87.996884 (42.937615, −87.996884).[16] The Root River flows through the western part of the village.

Greendale is bounded by the city of Greenfield to the north and east, the village of Hales Corners to the west, and the city of Franklin, Wisconsin to the south.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 5.57 square miles (14.43 km2), of which, 5.56 square miles (14.40 km2) of it is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[17]

Scout Lake is a 5-acre lake located in Greendale. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. Fish include panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike.[18]

Climate

[edit]
Greendale, Wisconsin
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
97
 
 
−6
−12
 
 
101
 
 
−3
−11
 
 
68
 
 
6
−6
 
 
165
 
 
17
2
 
 
111
 
 
20
5
 
 
138
 
 
29
12
 
 
100
 
 
28
16
 
 
95
 
 
26
13
 
 
67
 
 
23
11
 
 
92
 
 
15
6
 
 
64
 
 
7
−2
 
 
78
 
 
−3
−8
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [19]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3.8
 
 
21
10
 
 
4
 
 
27
12
 
 
2.7
 
 
43
21
 
 
6.5
 
 
63
36
 
 
4.4
 
 
68
41
 
 
5.4
 
 
84
54
 
 
3.9
 
 
82
61
 
 
3.7
 
 
79
55
 
 
2.6
 
 
73
52
 
 
3.6
 
 
59
43
 
 
2.5
 
 
45
28
 
 
3.1
 
 
27
18
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Greendale weather by month[20]

Greendale is in zone 5b of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.[21]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19402,527—
19502,7528.9%
19606,845148.7%
197015,089120.4%
198016,92812.2%
199015,128−10.6%
200014,405−4.8%
201014,046−2.5%
202014,8545.8%
2021 (est.)14,652[4]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[3]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census[22] of 2010, there were 14,046 people, 6,075 households, and 4,016 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,526.3 inhabitants per square mile (975.4/km2). There were 6,294 housing units at an average density of 1,132.0 per square mile (437.1/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 92.8% White, 1.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.

There were 6,075 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the village was 45.3 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.2% were from 45 to 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census[23] of 2020, there were 14,854 people and 6,169 households residing in the village. The population density was 2,541.42 inhabitants per square mile (981.2/km2). There were 6,330 housing units at an average density of 1,136.4 per square mile (438.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 84.8% White, 1.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,157 or 7.8% of the population.

47.0% have attained a Bachelor's Degree or higher. Median Household Income was $78,310. 10.2% of the population is foreign born.

There were 6,169 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 26.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 15.3% had a male householder with no wife present. The average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the village was 40.9 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 35.5% were from 15 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 20.0% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

Economy

[edit]
Southridge Mall

Southridge Mall, is located in Greendale, and opened in 1970. It is Wisconsin's second largest mall behind Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, tied with Fox River Mall in Appleton. The downtown village center has more than a dozen independent shops [24] and nine places to eat.[25]

Arts and culture

[edit]
Greendale Historic District

Civic organizations

[edit]

Community members are active in many local civic organizations, church groups and school committees where they volunteer their time and talents for the betterment of the Village.

  • Greendale Entertainment Association[26]
  • Greendale Historical Society[27]
  • Greendale Lions Club[28]
  • Public Celebrations Committee[29]

Events and festivals

[edit]
  • "Remember the Fallen" a solemn remembrance walk on Memorial Day, ending at the Greendale Veteran's Memorial.
  • Greendale Downtown Market, running on Saturdays from June through the first weekend in October. Sponsored by the Greendale Park and Recreation Department.[30]
  • Saturday Night Fun on the Green. Free music concerts every Saturday night from mid-June to mid-August in Gazebo Park. Sponsored by the Greendale Entertainment Association.[31]
  • Sunday Village Nites on the Green. Free music concerts every Sunday night from mid-June to mid-August in Gazebo Park. Sponsored by the Greendale Park and Recreation Department.[32]
  • Family Fourth Fest. Two music stages in Gazebo Park. Sponsored by the Greendale Lions Club.[33]
  • Greendale Garden Walk, a free walking tour through private gardens in Greendale, on the second Saturday in July.[34]
  • Every August, Greendale celebrates Village Days, an annual event since 1939. The three-day celebration commemorates the history of the village, attracting thousands to its parade, with live music, food and drink at the Greendale Lions Club's and Greendale Entertainment Association's stages.[35]
  • Public Celebrations 2023 Calendar of Events in Greendale[36]

Historic places

[edit]
Trimborn Farm

Performing arts

[edit]
  • Greendale Community Theater,[38]
  • Greendale High School. Fall play and spring musical.[39]
  • Midwest Vocal Express (MVE), male a cappella chorus specializes in "Storytelling through Song," performing: traditional barbershop favorites, show tunes, spirituals, popular music.[40] Founded in 1989.

Points of interest

[edit]
  • Greendale Public Library[41] Member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System. 6,533 residents have a Library card. 131,113 physical items were checked out in 2021. 24,276 eBooks, eMagazines, eAudio uses in 2021.[42] The library is noted for its collection of all 322 covers for The Saturday Evening Post that Norman Rockwell illustrated over the course of his career.[43]
  • Greendale Veterans Memorial, honors those Veterans who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our country.[44] Dedication ceremony was held on October 5, 2019.
  • Historic Greendale Welcome Center, has displays of Greendale's history, showing the early creation of Greendale, Greendale's progression through the years, and Greendale today.[45]
  • Historic Hose Tower. A hose tower is a structure constructed for hanging firehoses to dry.[46]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Whitnall Park, the largest park in Milwaukee County.[47] borders Greendale on the western boundary of the village. Whitnall Park offers many recreation options including:

  • Whitnall Park Golf Course, an 18-hole golf course.[48] Designed by George Hansen, and opened in 1932, this championship golf course is heavily wooded & offers views of Mallard Lake.
  • Wehr Nature Center[49]
  • Boerner Botanical Gardens[50]
  • many hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails,[51]

Part of the Root River Parkway is in Greendale.[52] The Village is also connected to the Milwaukee County Park System Oak Leaf Trail, a paved 135-mile (217 km) multi-use recreational trail system, which provides opportunities for walking, running or biking.

The Rock Sports Complex, an athletic park in Franklin, Wisconsin, comprising baseball fields, mountain bike & BMX trails & snow play areas, borders Greendale on the southern boundary of the village.

Government

[edit]

Greendale is divided into 11 wards.[53] It is in the 11th Milwaukee County Supervisor District.[54] At the state level, Greendale is in the 28th State Senate District, the 82nd State Assembly District and the 84th State Assembly District. Greendale is represented in the United States Senate by Senators Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D) and falls within Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, which is represented by Bryan Steil (R).

Education

[edit]
Greendale High School

The village has one public high school, one public middle school, and three public elementary schools (Canterbury, College Park, and Highland View).[55] Greendale High School was named by Newsweek as one of America's Best High Schools in its 2009 & 2010 rankings.[56][57] In 2007, the Greendale School District was ranked by Milwaukee Magazine as the top school system among the Milwaukee metropolitan area.[58]

The Greendale High School Marching Band is a 19-time (18 consecutive) WSMA (Wisconsin School Music Association) state marching band champion, and a regular Bands of America Grand Nationals participant. The Greendale High School Marching Band was invited to appear in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[59][60]

Private Schools

[edit]
  • Greendale Baptist Academy.[61]
  • Greendale Playschool, 3K and 4K.[62]
  • Martin Luther High School is a private high school in the village.
  • St. Alphonsus Catholic School, 3K through grade 8.[63]

Transportation

[edit]

Greendale is 6 miles (9.6 km) from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport,[64] and close to Interstate 94 and Interstate 894.[65] Running through the village is WIS 36. The village is served by multiple transit lines with the Milwaukee County Transit System.[66]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 16, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "Potawatomi Treaties and Treaty Rights - Milwaukee Public Museum". www.mpm.edu. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Lindsay Isaacs. "A federal experiment sets out lasting models for suburban development". American City & County, February 23, 2012.
  8. ^ Sierra Starner-Hefron (Spring 2015). "The Story of Greendale: A Utopia Unrealized" (PDF). e.polis. 7: 82–100. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "Greendale, Wisconsin". Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Retrieved October 16, 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ^ "Greendale". Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Alanen, Arnold; Eden, Joseph (2012). Main Street Ready-Made: The New Deal Community of Greendale, Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Historical Society. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-87020-511-8.
  12. ^ Metropolitan Integration Research Center. "Racially Restrictive Covenants: The Making of All-White Suburbs in Milwaukee County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  13. ^ "ORIGINAL ISSUE". Chicago Tribune. June 14, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  14. ^ "Discover Greendale Wisconsin". Discover Greendale Wisconsin. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "Greendale is 'Alphabetized' Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. October 12, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  17. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  18. ^ "Wisconsin DNR". Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  19. ^ "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  20. ^ "Climate in Greendale". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  21. ^ "Wisconsin Horticulture".
  22. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  24. ^ "Shops - Discover Greendale Wisconsin". Discover Greendale. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  25. ^ "Restaurants and Bakery - Discover Greendale Wisconsin". Discover Greendale. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  26. ^ "Greendale Entertainment Association". Greendale Entertainment Association. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  27. ^ "Greendale Historical Society - National Historic Landmark". Greendale Historical Society. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  28. ^ "Greendale Lions Club: We Serve Greendale... and Brats, Hot Dogs & Pancakes". Greendale Lions Club. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  29. ^ "Welcome to Village of Greendale, WI". Village of Greendale. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  30. ^ "Greendale Downtown Market - Greendale Park and Recreation Department". Greendale Park and Recreation Department. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  31. ^ "Gazebo Series - Greendale Entertainment Association". Greendale Entertainment Association. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  32. ^ "Greendale Park and Recreation Department". Greendale Park and Recreation Department. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  33. ^ "Family 4th - Greendale Lions Club". Greendale Lions Club. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  34. ^ "Greendale home and garden are worthy of gazing". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  35. ^ "Greendale, Wisconsin - Advisory Council on Historic Preservation". Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  36. ^ ">Welcome to Village of Greendale, WI". Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  37. ^ "Greendale - Milwaukee County Historical Society". Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  38. ^ "Greendale Community Theater". Greendale Community Theater. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  39. ^ "Greendale Schools - GHS Theatre". Greendale Schools - GHS Theatres. Greendale School District. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "Barbershop Chorus - Midwest Vocal Express". Midwest Vocal Express. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  41. ^ "Greemdale Public Library home page". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  42. ^ "Greendale Public Library Annual Report 2021". Greendale Public Library. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  43. ^ "Art: Rockwell and Mobiles". Village of Greendale. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  44. ^ "Greendale Veterans Memorial". Greendale Veterans Memorial. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  45. ^ "Historic Greendale Welcome Center". Greendale Welcome Center. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  46. ^ "Picture History: What is a Hose Tower?". Greendale, WI Patch. November 23, 2022.
  47. ^ "Whitnall Park map" (PDF). Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  48. ^ "Whitnall Park Golf Course - MKE Golf". Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  49. ^ "Wehr Nature Center". Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  50. ^ "Boerner Botanical Gardens". Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  51. ^ "WI Milwaukee Whitnall Park". Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  52. ^ "Root River Parkway" (PDF). Milwaukee County Parks. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  53. ^ "Village of Greendale, WI Election information". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  54. ^ Milwaukee County Board
  55. ^ "About Us - Greendale Schools". Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  56. ^ "Newsweek Names Greendale High School One of America's Best High Schools". May 23, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  57. ^ "Newsweek's best high school list for 2010 is out". Newsweek. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  58. ^ "Milwaukee Magazine". Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2009
  59. ^ "Greendale band website".
  60. ^ "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  61. ^ "Greendale Baptist Academy". Greendale Baptist Academy. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  62. ^ "Play-based Learning - Greendale Playschool". Greendale Playschool. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  63. ^ "St. Alphonsus Catholic School". Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  64. ^ "Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport". Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  65. ^ "Federal Highway Administration". US Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  66. ^ "Ride MCTS". Milwaukee County Transit System. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  67. ^ "Steve Burrows : Wisconsin State Journal". www.burrowsofhollywood.com. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  68. ^ Greendale High School Alumni Directory. Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company. 1995. p. 15.
  69. ^ "Olympian Jim Gruenwald hired as USOEC Assistant Greco-Roman Wrestling Coach". TheMat.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  70. ^ Greendale High School Alumni Directory. Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company. 1995. p. 52.
  71. ^ "Indiana Judicial Branch: Indiana Supreme Court: Hon Mark S Massa". www.in.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  72. ^ Greendale High School Alumni Directory. Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company. 1995. p. 70.
  73. ^ "Dave Smith Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  74. ^ Greendale High School Alumni Directory. Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company. 1995. p. 104.
  75. ^ Ginny LaRoe (April 5, 2016). "Lawyer Behind 'If It Doesn't Fit' Thinks O.J. Miniseries Full of S***". Law.com.
[edit]
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