Born and tossed from the humble outskirts of Montreal in 1793, Solomon Juneau strutted his stuff in Milwaukee. This silver-tongued fur trader left an indelible mark on Milwaukee region with his sly, foxy business tactics. In 1818, he staked his claim on the land squeezed between the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan, dubbing it Juneau Town. He played many roles in the rustic village, offering his services as its postie and commander-in-chief. In 1846, he swapped the cowboy hat for the mayor's cap, leading the charge as Milwaukee morphed into 'The City of Festivals.
Nowadays, a sprawling 15-foot bronze statue, a gift from shoe kings Charles T. Bradley and William H. Metcalf, stands tall in Juneau Park. Etched on the northern base, Juneau can be spotted shaking hands with some Native Americans. Flip the statue over, and you'll catch him being sworn in to Congress. This statue serves as a monument to the man who played a significant role in shaping the city of Milwaukee.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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