Spanning a mere 1.12 square miles in the heart of Milwaukee County, the village of West Milwaukee is home to thousands of residents (roughly 4,000), hundreds of businesses ranging from indie to industrial, three parks and one tight-knit community.
West Milwaukee’s Roots
West Milwaukee has changed tremendously in the past century. It was once part of the Town of Wauwatosa and the Town of Greenfield, but became its own village in 1906.
From the beginning, West Milwaukee was a place of industry. Pauling and Harnischfeger (P&H) – at one time known as the best crane, shovel and excavator producers in the world – set up shop in 1904 and was a prominent force in the field throughout the century. Komatsu Mining Corporation maintained a massive facility in the village until it relocated to the Harbor District last year. However, Komatsu’s bright yellow crane remains a West Milwaukee landmark, with American Family Field looming in the background.
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