Building Description
The Bank of Milwaukee Building, home of Milwaukee’s Grand Avenue Club, incorporates the oldest commercial building in the city.
The Bank of Milwaukee building is the one of the oldest commercial building in Milwaukee. For many years it was known as the Insurance Exchange Building which reflected over a half century of occupancy by the Christian Schroeder and Son Insurance Company (1913-1968).
Construction began in the summer of 1856 on the corner of Michigan and Water Streets for the State Bank of Wisconsin. The building was constructed of Joliet limestone. Five hundred tons were used that was brought here from Chicago by ship.
In January,1859 the Bank of Milwaukee opened on that lot. Since then it’s gone through an incredible amount of transitions with dozens of businesses coming and going. You’ll notice in the tour the amount of “vaults” and historic areas that are specific to the businesses that occupied the building.
Nowadays, the building houses Grand Avenue Club, a nonprofit organization that supports adults in Milwaukee County experiencing mental illness. They focus on providing employment, educational, and enrichment opportunities. Their staff and members will be your tour guides for the day! They look forward to teaching you about the building’s past, showcasing the present, and offering a glimpse at the future.
www.grandavenueclub.org
Visitor Experience
This will be a self-guided tour with Grand Avenue Club colleagues assisting you throughout the building. There will be reference material that explains the architecture and history as well as guides disbursed throughout the building that will be able to answer questions.
