Our History Begins with the River, Riverwest - Sunday

12,000 years ago the glacier retreated. Native tribes inhabited the area 400 to 1000 years ago. French settlers came in the late 17th and early 18th century. By the 1840s the tribes were moved out with the help of Solomon Juneau, who they trusted. Increase Lapham came near the same time. All of these stories involve the Milwaukee River. From Mishipeshu, the underwater panther of the deep, to Byron Kilbourn the builder of canals and streets. I often imagined what the river would reveal if a photo was taken every day for 100 years. Let me paint a word picture as we walk the trails. Bits of legend, surveyor, scientist, historian, Increase Lapham, developer Byron Klbourn.

Moving from active recreation to passive nature sanctuary, led be Vince Bushell, publisher Riverwest Currents and Naturalist. This is a 2-mile walk and is not wheelchair accessible.