About HWTN

Historic Water Tower Neighborhood
Historic Water Tower Neighborhood is a residential neighborhood association on Milwaukee’s historic East Side. We’re the residents in an area bounded approximately by E. Edgewood Avenue, N. Downer Avenue, E. Lafayette Place and Lake Michigan.

Historic Water Tower Neighborhood was founded in 1973 (originally under the name Water Tower Landmark Trust) to promote “the preservation and enhancement of the unique residential character of the neighborhood.” We are one of the city’s oldest existing neighborhood organizations. We work to support historic preservation and neighborhood improvement in our area. We serve as a vehicle for neighbors to meet and address issues of mutual interest and importance. We support policies that promote racial and social justice and building stronger communities, and we stand against policies that might serve to divide or exclude.

Our monthly meetings, generally on the first Wednesday evening of each month, are open to the public and often include a program with guest speakers, from local elected officials to historians. They’re a great place to meet fellow residents, to learn what’s going on in our neighborhood and to get involved.

About Our Neighborhood
Our neighborhood includes the largest group of historic homes in Wisconsin. More than 1,000 of our homes and condos are over 75 years old, including more than 580 that are over 100 years old. The majority of homes in our area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Our neighborhood has been rated as one of the most walkable in Milwaukee. While mainly residential, our area includes the renowned and historic Downer Avenue retail district, which includes a bookstore, coffee shop, movie theater, grocery story, four restaurants and other businesses. The Historic Water Tower District also includes or borders the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Lake Park, the North Point Lighthouse, Bradford Beach, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum and the East North Avenue retail district.

Our area’s Lake Park and Bradford Beach are not just neighborhood and historic treasures, but they are community treasures. We actively support policies that keep them accessible to the wide swath of Milwaukee residents and visitors that they attract.

Learn More, Join Us
Explore our website to learn more about our neighborhood’s history and our group. And if you’re not a member, please consider joining.

 

Learn about becoming a member