 Profile of Milwaukee’s Lincoln Village Neighborhood and the Work of Urban Anthropology Inc. (UrbAn) in the Neighborhood
Historic Lincoln Village is Milwaukee’s premiere ethnic neighborhood. Over one hundred nations are represented in the village and everything is ethnic and artsy—its shops, restaurants, farmers market, museum, daily activities, churches, and schools. The village was originally settled by the Poles and other Eastern Europeans in the late 19th century, and their descendants still live here in large numbers. People from Latin America began arriving by the late 20th century. More recent arrivals include other Europeans, Middle Easterners, Asians, North American Indians, Africans/African Americans, and a host of people in the arts.
The streets and park are always teeming with activity—this is not a “sleepy” village. On any summer day people are out shopping, eating at the local restaurants, playing soccer in the park, taking a walking tour, picnicking, viewing the art spaces along Lincoln Avenue, swimming in the pool, and touring the Basilica and the Settlement Museum.
Boundaries
Official City Boundaries: The freeway (or 5th Place) on the east, 16th Street on the west, Cleveland on the south, Becher on the north.
The Lincoln Village Business District centers on Lincoln Avenue and extends to 20th Street.
Demographics
Population: 16,820 within the City-defined boundaries (probably over 17,000 currently). Ethnicity estimates from LVBA/LISC and UrbAn statistics are: 55% Latino, 30% European American, 10% African American, and 5% other (with a good number of Wisconsin Indians in this “other” category). Median household income: $28,145. Home ownership: 54%.
Attractions
Historic Lincoln village has the following attractions:
- Beautiful Kosciuszko Park with its community center and scores of youth programs
- The idyllic Basilica of St. Josaphat—some rate this as the most beautiful church in America
- The Old South Side Settlement Museum (featuring immigration stories)
- Our own Artist and Writers Guild, with special mini galleries located along Lincoln Avenue.
- 16 ethnic restaurants, including Mexican, Salvadoran, Serbian/Polish, and Italian
- A Kid's Market at Kosciuszko Park on four Sundays during the summer.
- Summer lecture series “under the stars” on neighborhood history and cultures
- Unique architecture, including Flemish/Polish building parapets and Polish flats
- A weekly walking tour of the neighborhood (free to residents)
- Ethnic stores along Lincoln Avenue (including Polish shops and Mexican bakeries and markets)
- An ice skating program in winter
- The Kinnickinnic River that runs through the Village (with foot bridges), now being redeveloped
- The Lincoln Village Business Association
- Six churches including a very interesting Polish National Church on 11th and Hayes.
Services Organizations in Lincoln Village
Urban Anthropology Inc. (serves area residents)
Lincoln Village Business Association (serves area businesses)
Lincoln Neighborhood Redevelopment Corp. (helps incubate and build businesses)
Our Space (serves the mentally ill, city-wide)
Kosciuszko Park Community Center (hosts city-wide programs)
Ace Boxing Center (serves youth)
Churches
12 churches within the City-defined boundaries, and 10 are in the western section of LV. Of the 12 churches, most serve a city-wide population rather than the neighborhood, as they are “specialized” faith centers (e.g., Latin-only mass, Mormon, Seventh-Day Adventist, Polish National Church, Basilica). There is a growing number of evangelical churches serving Latinos.
Schools
5 schools within the City-defined boundaries (3 are elementary schools, 4 are specialty schools attracting city-wide students). 2 schools are just outside the LV boundaries.
Services Provided by Urban Anthropology Inc.
Historic Lincoln Village is a designated Healthy Neighborhood through Urban Anthropology Inc. The program is supported by the Milwaukee Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Through this initiative and others, Urban Anthropology Inc. is able to provide the following services to Lincoln Village. |
- Low interest loans for housing improvement (facades, front porches, roofs)
- Development of block clubs and watches in Lincoln Village
- A Kid's Market at Kosciuszko Park on four Sundays during the summer.
- Development of artist community in Lincoln Village
- Skating program at the Kosciuszko Park lagoon
- Old South Side Settlement Museum (see calendar of events for tour times)
- Walking tour: Arts and architecture of Lincoln Village (see calendar of events for times)
- Old South Side News—featured articles on the area, distributed free
- Lecture series on neighborhood cultures and history (see calendar of events for times)
- Dissemination of databases on crime, real estate, and commercial properties available
- Periodic surveys and needs assessments
- Annual garden party
- Artist Guild and creation of “art spaces” (mini galleries) along Lincoln Avenue
- Book clubs
- Beautification efforts throughout Lincoln Village
- The Youth Art Pillar (at Kosciuszko Park)
- Collection of oral history and archival data on the area, and dissemination of information
Urban Anthropology’s chief collaborators in LV
1. Kosciuszko Park (Milwaukee County Park System)
2. Ace Boxing Club
3. Political leaders
4. The Basilica of St. Josaphat and the Basilica School
5. Lincoln Village Business Association
6. Lincoln Neighborhood Redevelopment Corp
7. Inland Seas High School
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