Secret Milwaukee: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Book excerpt: Often referred to as a “big small town” or “Smallwaukee,” you might think that Milwaukee does not have any secrets. Milwaukee’s image is one of quaint nostalgia, of beer, bratwurst, bowling, and television’s Laverne & Shirley. But Milwaukee is a lot more than those stereotypes. Inside Secret Milwaukee, you will find all sorts of Milwaukee lore that even long-time residents do not know about. Which president of the United States was almost assassinated in Milwaukee? What is the city’s connection to The Exorcist? Which buildings are haunted? What are Milwaukee’s connections to the mafia? Is there buried treasure here? And yes, you will also learn about beer, bratwurst, bowling, and Laverne & Shirley, along with the history of frozen custard, Milwaukee-style pizza, and a whole lot more.