The Territorial Legislature created the Town of Bay View in 1835, previously part of
the northeast corner of the Town of Lake, one of the two original settlements of
what became Milwaukee County. Bounded by Lake Michigan, and Lincoln, Howell, and
Oklahoma Avenues, the Village thrived in the latter 19th century as a mill town. As
a result, the Town was incorporated 5 June 1879 as the Village of Bay View and
considered the first suburb of Milwaukee. Due to the expansionist policy of the City
of Milwaukee, the Village was annexed into the City on March 3, 1887. It is still
considered by many Milwaukeeans as a culturally independent suburb.
