Greenfield History

• Greenfield was originally called Kinnickinnic. The town was created on March 8, 1839 on land previously owned by the Potawatomi Indian Nation.  The 1840 census counted 404 people in the town.  The name Kinnickinnic was changed to Greenfield, the name of its post office, in 1841.
   

• Greenfield originally covered 36 square miles, from present Greenfield Avenue  to College Avenue, and from 27th Street to 124th Street.  The first town meeting was held April 5, 1842.  Almost all of Greenfield's early settlers were either German, Irish, English, or from the eastern states of the United States.  They were mainly farmers and craftsmen.
   

• The first major road, built out of wood planks in 1849, was named Janesville Plank Road (now Forest Home Avenue). It was a toll road.
   

• Starting in 1902, areas of Greenfield which wanted city services began incorporating or asked to be annexed by the City if Milwaukee.  West Allis (1902), West Milwaukee (1906), Greendale (1938), Hales Corners (1952) and the southwest side of the City of Milwaukee resulted.  The Town of Greenfield was incorporated as the City of Greenfield in 1957. It is only a little more than 1/3 the size of the original town.
   

• Some of the first city officials were: Mayor Robert Owens, 1957-1960; Treasurer Esther Fisher, 1957-1962; Police Chief Clifford Ruck, 1962-1064; Fire Chief Charles Rule, 1960-1964.  The first public library was built in 1985.
   

Persons who wish to submit genealogical inquiries concerning ancestors who lived in Greenfield 1835-1915 should send a check for $10 payable to Greenfield Historical Society to: Robert Roesler, W208 S6833 High Bluff Drive, Muskego, WI   53150. Please provide pertinent information. You will receive a reply within 30 days. The $10 fee covers copying and postal costs and a year's membership including the quarterly newsletter.

Greenfield Historical Society e-mail- greenhistory@hotmail.com
Greenfield Historical Society website- http://web.me.com/greenfieldwihs