Milwaukee the Midwest. Because of its easy access to Lake Michigan and other waterways, Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley has historically been home to manufacturing, stockyards, rendering plants, shipping, and other heavy industry. Reshaping of the valley began with the railroads built by city co-founder Byron Kilbourn to bring product from Wisconsin's farm interior to the port. By 1862 Milwaukee was the largest shipper of wheat on the planet, and related industry developed. Grain elevators were built and, due to Milwaukee's dominant German immigrant population, breweries sprang up around the processing of barley and hops. A number of tanneries were constructed, of which
Elk (Milwaukee sculpture) Elk (Milwaukee sculpture) Elk is a public artwork by an unknown artist located in front of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Milwaukee Lodge 46, which is on the Northwest side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The zinc sculpture depicts a 7'6" tall elk atop a brick pedestal announcing the club's events. The "Elk" sculpture in front of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Milwaukee Lodge portrays an elk made out of zinc painted gold and brown. The elk stands erect with his head turned 10 degrees to the proper left. His front legs are straight and parallel,