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Milwaukee: History Trivia Quiz

Milwaukee is more than brats and beer. Then again what else do we need in life? how about some history!

A multiple-choice quiz by blakey. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
blakey

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
142,825

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1440

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the worst winter in the 20th century? Hint

1973

1933

1977

1947

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many socialist mayors does Milwaukee have between 1910 and 1960? Hint

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Question 3 of 10

3. What mass transportation idea was begun in Milwaukee to make traveling safer? Hint

Bus system

aircraft

subway

trolley system

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Question 4 of 10

4. How many Indian tribes lived in the area of Milwaukee before its settlement? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. Besides having the largest brewery production in the country, what else was Milwaukee noted for? Hint

Ice cream parlors

Fine dining

Dance clubs

Its nightlife

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Question 6 of 10

6. In 1889 the state of Wisconsin passed a bill requiring children over the age of five to attend school 60 days a year. Residents of Milwaukee fought against it, why? Hint

It required all classes be taught in English

Five years old was too young

There was no tuition assistance available

The parents were worried about conditions in the schools

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Question 7 of 10

7. Milwaukee has long been noted for its Brats and Beer(YEAH) but in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, and sometimes today, it was called Cream City, why? Hint

The number of ice cream parlors in the city

A disaster at a local brewery buried the city in beer foam

Cream colored bricks used in buildings

The AA Milwaukee Brewers were always losing

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1898 Milwaukee turned itself around establishing sporting parlors in the riverside area which attracted tourists from Europe. What is a sporting parlor? Hint

A gambling house

An opium house

A trendy fashion club

A house of ill repute

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Question 9 of 10

9. Shortly before Wisconsin became a state in 1848, two towns merged to become Milwaukee, what were they called before? Hint

Fort Howard and Oconto falls

Beaver Dam and Watertown

Waukesha and Wauwatosa

Juneau and Kilbourntown

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Question 10 of 10

10. At one time Milwaukee had the claim of a bar on every corner, while not true, at one time it was close to true. How did this happen? Hint

The city needed the tax money

A drunken construction crew trying to find the right spot

Mayors needed to win votes and okayed licenses for anyone

Beer wars of the 1890's

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the worst winter in the 20th century?

Answer: 1947

A storm dumped over five feet of snow in the town. It came so fast that the emergency vehicles were snowed in. The town was shut down for at least two days.

2. How many socialist mayors does Milwaukee have between 1910 and 1960?

Answer: 3

Emil Siedel served from 1910-1912, Dan Hoan served from 1914-1938 and Frank Zeidler from 1948-1960. Carl was Frank's brother and a Democrat.

3. What mass transportation idea was begun in Milwaukee to make traveling safer?

Answer: Bus system

According to the Golda Meir Library, in 1929 there were close to one thousand people killed trying to cross streets and catch the trolley which ran down the middle of the road. Mayor Dan Hoan's administration then came up with the idea of picking up passengers at curbside with busses.

4. How many Indian tribes lived in the area of Milwaukee before its settlement?

Answer: 4

They were the Fox, Mascouten, Potawatomi, and Winnebago Indian tribes. The name was taken from the Indian word Millioke.

5. Besides having the largest brewery production in the country, what else was Milwaukee noted for?

Answer: Fine dining

At one time Milwaukee was close to having the largest number of five star restaurants in the country which served German cuisine. In 2003 I don't know of any five star restaurants in the city.

6. In 1889 the state of Wisconsin passed a bill requiring children over the age of five to attend school 60 days a year. Residents of Milwaukee fought against it, why?

Answer: It required all classes be taught in English

At the time Milwaukee spoke mainly German and Polish with some French thrown in. English was a secondary language. Prior to this bill all private schools taught in their chosen language but the bill was requiring them to teach in English. Teachers and Parents alike protested in the streets and they elected four socialists to the state legislature to repeal or reword the bill.

7. Milwaukee has long been noted for its Brats and Beer(YEAH) but in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, and sometimes today, it was called Cream City, why?

Answer: Cream colored bricks used in buildings

In the 1830's builders used clay from the shores of Lake Michigan, which after being formed into a brick and fired, turned yellow. More information can be found at http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/closeups/cream_city_brick/cream_city_brick.htm .
I wish it was because of disaster at a local brewery my grandparents would have been in heaven, especially if they had a mug.

8. In 1898 Milwaukee turned itself around establishing sporting parlors in the riverside area which attracted tourists from Europe. What is a sporting parlor?

Answer: A gambling house

Under the Administration of David Rose Milwaukee rose to prominence as a gambling town. Even though it was against the law Mayor Rose turned a blind eye and ordered the police not to interfere with the house activities. Rose was defeated in 1906 after a federal investigation into his administration became public.

His successor Sherburn Becker did not stop the gambling and Rose was reelected in 1908. He was eventually defeated in 1910 by Socialist Emil Siedel who halted the gambling and turned the town into a more conservative way of thinking.

9. Shortly before Wisconsin became a state in 1848, two towns merged to become Milwaukee, what were they called before?

Answer: Juneau and Kilbourntown

They were known as the twin cities. The others are still in existence, except for Fort Howard, which is called Green Bay today.

Milwaukee were Juneau and Kilbourntown

10. At one time Milwaukee had the claim of a bar on every corner, while not true, at one time it was close to true. How did this happen?

Answer: Beer wars of the 1890's

A.J. Gettleman wanted to go national with his beer but needed to conquer Milwaukee first. He stood on corners counting the number of people who came by during the course of a day and built taverns at the busiest spots, then franchised them out with the stipulation that they only serve his products. Miller and Schlitz followed his lead beginning the beer wars. Pabst came in late and established Beergardens trying recreate a little Germany for the Germans living here at the time.

Source: Author blakey

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