Remember When...the Jahrmarkt was an annual event?

Around the turn of the century Milwaukeeans gathered at W. National av. and Grove st. (also known as Marshall st.; now S. 5th st.) for the "Jahrmarkt," the annual street fair. Outdoor booths lined the street; music, laughter and gaiety prevailed with something of interest for all ages, judging from the crowd in the above picture. This elaborate pavilion greeted visitors with a friendly "Willkommen" as they entered the fair. Milwaukeeans shopped in booths, sipped Milwaukee beer in the nearby saloons, or enjoyed a spin on one of the amusement rides assembled for the occasion. Frank J. Kuhnmuench, the local merchant whose name appears on the pavilion, was a druggist who had his store at 328 Grove st. Other area businessmen offered "ladies and gents" bowling, billiards, cigars (including the Henry George, a "great 5c cigar"), sodas and ice cream. (Picture courtesy of Carl Remeeus, and information from the local history collection of the Milwaukee public library.)