Bay View homes could be historic site, halting development

Workers’ cottages reflect neighborhood’s past

A group of Bay View homes could be declared a city historic district — which could halt future development plans for those properties.

The proposal would affect seven houses on the east side of South Superior Street between East Russell Avenue and East Ontario Street.

Those homes would become the Puddlers’ Cottages Historic District under an application for permanent historic designation filed with the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission.

Any changes to the homes’ exteriors – from minor alterations to demolition – would then need commission approval. Commission rulings can be appealed to the Common Council.

The homes compose “one of the few remaining clusters of workers’ cottages remaining in Bay View,” according to the petition filed by Joe Paterick, a Bay View resident.

Such cottages reflect the characteristics of Bay View’s late 19th century roots as a neighborhood for people who worked at Bay View Rolling Mills, the petition said.

The mill’s employees included “puddlers” – workers who formed molten iron into wrought iron materials.

Bay View Rolling Mills, which operated at South Superior Street and East Russell Avenue, was the site of an 1886 strike that led to the deaths of seven workers after state troops fired into a crowd, according to the Encyclopedia of Milwaukee.

The former workers’ cottages have been subject to recent demolitions, according to Paterick’s petition.

That includes a nearby home at 2556 S. Shore Drive that was razed last year to make way for a new house.

A petition to declare that site as historic was filed in August with the commission, but then withdrawn.

Along with the petition for permanent designation, Paterick also is seeking temporary designation for a 1,400-square-foot, four-bedroom house at 2530 S. Superior St. That property is included in the permanent designation petition.

Temporary designation, which lasts up to 180 days, postpones demolition plans while the commission also considers permanent designation.

The petition lists Sheri Aiosa, a South Milwaukee resident, as the property owner.

But Aiosa said Monday she sold the house, which includes an 11,250square-foot lot, in November.

The new property owner couldn’t be reached for comment.

EBONY COX/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL A group of seven Bay View homes could be declared a city Historic District. The homes are located on the east side of South Superior Street between East Russell Avenue and East Ontario Street.