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Welcome to Milwaukee! It's name meaning "The Gathering Of Waters", Milwaukee is located at the point where the Milwaukee, Menominee, and Kinnickinnic rivers enter Lake Michigan. The largest city in the state, it is a port of entry, shipping heavy cargo from the entire Midwest to world ports via the St. Lawrence Seaway. It is a producer of heavy machinery and electrical equipment and a principal manufacturer of diesel and gasoline engines, tractors, and beer; Milwaukee once dominated the country’s beer-brewing industry. Motorcycles, refrigeration equipment, chocolate, and electronic products are also produced.
In the 1960s, Milwaukee was the scene of racial disorder and black demonstrations. Economically, the city was hit hard in the 1979–82 recession years; more than 60,000 jobs were lost in the industrial sector. Prosperity reoccurred in the late 1980s as manufacturing jobs became more prevalent, aided principally by the economic efforts of major Milwaukee companies, in areas such as the international export of tools and machinery.
Among the educational institutions are Marquette Univ., the Univ. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch College, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and the Milwaukee Area Technical College. Attractions include the breweries, with guided tours; the Milwaukee Art Museum; a decorative arts museum and mansions open to the public; a church by Frank Lloyd Wright; a performing arts center; a large convention center; and the water tower. The popular lakefront hosts numerous festivals, and the sizable park system includes Washington Park; Mitchell Park, with enclosed botanical gardens; Juneau Park; and Estabrook Park, with one of the city’s oldest houses. Milwaukee is also home to the Brewers (National League baseball) and the Bucks (National Basketball Association).
Milwaukee Population, 628,088 (1990)
City Incorporated, 1846
Wisconsin Statehood, May 29, 1848 (30th state).
State Capital, Madison.
Nickname, Badger State.
Motto, Forward.
State bird, robin.
State flower, wood violet.
State tree, sugar maple.
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