The Wisconsin Historical Society has listed the West St. Paul Avenue Industrial Historic District on the State Register of Historic Places.
The district, located in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley, consists of 22 industrial buildings along 10 blocks between 11th and 21st Streets.
Each of these properties is now eligible for historic tax credits, which help offset costs associated with restoring historic buildings.
In the last 15 months, four new businesses have moved to the street’s historic industrial buildings. Three other buildings are currently being restored, soon to become home to three additional businesses.
Menomonee Valley Partners, a nonprofit working to revitalize the area, coordinated the district's nomination to encourage investment. The organization's executive director, Corey Zetts, said the district is, "[A]n exciting part of building St. Paul Avenue’s identity and positioning the corridor for further redevelopment."
The West St. Paul Avenue Industrial Historic District experienced a great period of growth from the 1880s to the 1950s. This was largely due to manufacturing businesses like National Enamel and Stamping Company, Cutler-Hammer and Geuder.
