10 Fascinating Historical Facts About Shorewood, Wisconsin

An aerial view of the bathhouse and beach in Shorewood, Aug. 14, 1936. Photograph by Albert F. Toepfer via Milwaukee County Historical Society

In 2025, the Wisconsin Village of Shorewood celebrates its Quasquicentennial, or 125 years since its official founding on August, 21, 1900. Thanks to the Shorewood Historical Society, we have access to facts and insights from this North Shore community’s rich past.

From Chief Justice to comedy directors, Shorewood's compact one-square-mile community has produced an outsized impact on American culture and politics. This densely populated lakefront village holds the distinction of being the most densely populated community in Wisconsin, but its small size belies the remarkable stories and famous figures that call it home.

1. From East Milwaukee to Shorewood: A Strategic Name Change

Originally incorporated as the Village of East Milwaukee in 1900, the community strategically changed its name to Shorewood in 1917 to encourage potential residents and businesses to view the village as separate from the city of Milwaukee. This rebranding effort coincided with explosive growth—the population quadrupled from 2,650 residents in 1920 to 13,479 in 1930, making it one of the fastest-growing communities in Wisconsin.

2. Chief Justice William Rehnquist: Shorewood's Most Influential Graduate

Shorewood High School's most famous alumnus is William Rehnquist, Class of 1941, who became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Rehnquist served as one of America's most influential jurists, but he wasn't the only notable figure to emerge from this small lakefront community. The school's extraordinary track record of producing prominent graduates has made it a source of local pride for decades.

3. Hollywood Comedy Royalty

The Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker trio—directors David and Jerry Zucker along with Jim Abrahams—all hail from Shorewood and went on to create comedy classics like "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" series. Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads also calls Shorewood home, as does John Fiedler, the voice of Piglet in Disney's Winnie the Pooh films. This concentration of entertainment industry talent from one small community is remarkable.

4. Early Beer Gardens Accessible by Train

In 1872, a resort called Lueddemann's-on-the-River opened in the southwestern part of present-day Shorewood. Accessible by riverboat and later by train, the resort was the first of several beer gardens and amusement parks that operated in the area between the 1872 and 1916. It would be decades before another resurgence in North Shore beer gardens, including Hubbard Park Beer Garden and Estabrook Park Beer Garden accessible by bike path on what used to be the train (now the Ghost Train).

5. Frank Lloyd Wright's Architectural Influence

The architect Russell Barr Williamson, who worked for Frank Lloyd Wright from 1914 to 1917, designed at least 16 homes in Shorewood between 1918 and 1929. Williamson's prairie-style influences brought Wright's architectural philosophy to the North Shore, creating a distinctive architectural character that still defines many of the village's most beautiful homes.

6. The Amusement Park Controversy That Sparked Incorporation

Shorewood's incorporation in 1900 was partly motivated by controversy over Coney Island, an amusement park that opened in the area. The park included loud music, electric lights, and a roller coaster, which upset residents who opposed the noise, light pollution, and raucous visitors coming from Milwaukee on the newly constructed streetcar lines. The desire to control such development led to the push for independent municipal status.

7. Revolutionary High School Design

Shorewood High School, constructed between 1924 and 1938, was a forerunner in secondary-school design, modeled on a university campus plan. The school includes separate buildings for administration, physical education, arts and science, industrial arts, and theater arts. The original building features a striking 40-foot diameter copper dome used as a social studies classroom, and the campus includes a 1,211-seat auditorium that resembles Radio City Music Hall.

8. The Village Hall's Educational Origins

The current Shorewood Village Hall, constructed in 1908, was originally a four-room school. In 1916, the village purchased the building to house its offices. The building has had numerous additions and renovations but still reflects its educational architectural history. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

9. The Historic Kilbourntown House Preservation

The Kilbourntown House is open for tours

The Benjamin Church House (also known as Kilbourntown House) represents one of Wisconsin's most successful historic preservation efforts. Built in 1844 by pioneer carpenter Benjamin Church, this one-story Greek Revival house was moved from its original location in Milwaukee to Estabrook Park in Shorewood in 1938. The house contains furnishings from 1845-1860 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

10. Toilet Paper Tradition

Shorewood's unique "toilet paper tradition" exemplifies the village's strong community spirit. High school seniors have long welcomed freshmen by decorating their homes with toilet paper, creating a rite of passage that connects generations of residents. This tradition, along with elaborate Fourth of July celebrations featuring fireworks over Lake Michigan, demonstrates how the community maintains its distinctive character across decades.

Today's Shorewood continues to balance its rich history with modern amenities, maintaining its position as Wisconsin's most densely populated community while preserving the small-town character that has produced so many remarkable Americans. At just one mile by one-and-a-half miles, it proves that great things come in small packages.