Remember When...Surges Bros. stood on Mitchell St.?

At the turn of the century, customers walked down wooden sidewalks on old Mitchell St. to do their daily errands. Among buildings located there was the Surges Bros. saloon and grocery story at 510 Mitchell St. (now 9th and Mitchell Sts.), at an angle from St. Anthony’s church. John Surges, wearing a white apron, stood outside the establishment in a pose typical of the day. At his side stood a well-known community figure, Policeman Heke. Joe Surges managed the grocery store while his brother saw to the tavern. At that time, customers stopped at the saloon for a free lunch. Since saloons were places “for men only,” Surges’ wife would prepare the lunch and bring it daily to the door of the tavern, but she would not step inside. In the rear of the tavern was a barbershop belonging to Joseph Schroff. Schroff advertised his business by means of the handsome striped pole on the street corner. Photo courtesy of Mrs. C. Toman; information from the Milwaukee Public Library local history