Wonderland amusement park operated in East Milwaukee from 1905 to 1909. The 7-acre site was located between the Milwaukee River and Oakland Avenue. In 1872, the first amusement park at this location was called Lueddeman's-On-The-River. Later, it became known as Zweitusch's Mineral Springs Park. In 1900 the park was renamed Coney Island. There is a historic marker across the street from William Ho's restaurant on Oakland.

Ravenna Park was the name given to the Wonderland amusement park when it was purchased in 1909. Patrons arrived by streetcar, which dropped them off at the Oakland Avenue and Menlo Boulevard gate. The owners of Ravenna closed the park in 1916 and sold about 2 acres of the land to the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company, who constructed a streetcar barn. Shorewood's Hubbard Park and an apartment complex occupy the site today.



The Village of Shorewood, Wisconsin has had a colorful history including several different names such as Mechanicsville, Cementville, and East Milwaukee. In 1900, the area was incorporated as East Milwaukee and was officially named Shorewood in 1917. Here are some interesting facts about the history of our wonderful Village.

In 1872, Lueddemann's on the River opened. The resort was a popular attraction for many years with a few name changes - Zweitusch's Mineral Springs Park, Coney Island, Wonderland, and finally Ravenna. The era of the resort-amusement park ended in 1916, but Hubbard Park still remains a place of relaxation and entertainment for visitors and villagers.

On March 14, 1900 a petition was filed in the circuit court of Milwaukee for the incorporation of the Village of East Milwaukee. In a conserted effort by residents, the village's name was officially changed from to Shorewood in 1917.



The Summer Amusement Company purchased the Mineral Springs enterprise on the Milwaukee River and opened the Coney Island Park. Later known as Wonderland in 1905 and then Ravenna Park in 1909, the enterprises had invested heavily in the addition of new attractions, including the Milwaukee Motordrome, a steeply banked motorcycle racetrack that drew noted cyclists of the day. However this amusement park caused local residents to petition for the development of their own community so they could generate income from the park's license fees. Unfortunately the revenues from the amusement park were less than had been hoped, and the site was abandoned 34 years after opening the first amusement park.


CREDITS: Material from Shorewood Historical Society-Milwaukee Library-Village of Shorewood