The Heights Dream Library
The Heights Dream Library is a mural by artist Fred Kaems featuring imaginary books on shelves on the east-facing wall of 5700 W. Vliet St. on Milwaukee's west side. Through colorful portrayal of imaginary books, the artwork promotes both adult and children’s literacy, provide a connection to libraries and support neighborhood involvement.
The 2020 project was sponsored by the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association and supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board.
The 2020 project was sponsored by the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association and supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board.
- For updated information, find us on Facebook.
- Download, build & color your own Dream Library Book
- Sponsor: Washington Heights Neighborhood Association.
- Supporter: The project is supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board
- Artist: Fred Kaems, a multi-disciplinary artist and Washington Heights resident. He works as a painter, muralist, designer and maker, and his work is in private collections around the country. He has created works for scores of large-scale clients. For more information, see http://fredkaems.com/.
- In-Kind Donations:
- Doug Peterson Painting, LLC
- Hallman-Lindsey, Mequon
- Quorum Architects
- Steering Committee (all Washington Heights residents):
- Building Owners: Dan Schley and Barb Haig
- Project Manager: Melissa Muller
- WHNA Liaison: Jane Konkel
- More Information
- Facebook: https://bit.ly/HDLface
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heightsdreamlibrary/
Location5700 W. Vliet St.
Milwaukee, WI 53208 Around the corner from the Rainbow Booksellers! |
Building History
When Dan Schley and Barb Haig purchased 5700 W. Vliet in 1996, it was the worst building on a declining block. Built in 1927, the space was covered in dust and dirt, as the facility housed a small welding shop. But over the years, people would stop by and tell stories about when it was known as Horky's Pharmacy. Older folks purchased prescriptions, teenagers remembered the soda fountain, and kids enjoyed the penny candy. The Horky family provided us with a few photos and a remembrance from George's daughter, Anna Jacobi. You'll also find several memories from people who responded to a request on the Old Milwaukee Facebook site.
Remember September
By Anna Jacobi
Some of you remember Horky’s Pharmacy on 57th and Vliet Street. Mr. Horky, George, was my father, and I’m writing because September is his birthday. He would be 135 years old. He was born in Menasha, WI, the oldest of six.
This is how it was when he was growing up. In fall, his family butchered a hog, salted the meat and the lard, and put up sauerkraut for the winter. Jams and jellies were canned. And they made soap with ashes for lye, lard or suet for fat. No indoor plumbing and only a wood stove for heat.
When Dad graduated from Grade School, he apprenticed himself to a licensed pharmacist in Appleton, WI. He boarded in Appleton with his Aunt Emma and Cousin John Fountain. The two of them became really good friends and stayed close until Dad’s dying days.
My mother, Rose Weber, had a good friend in Appleton who decided that George and Rose should meet. She held a party inviting Rose to Appleton and the feat was accomplished. Dad moved to Milwaukee, passed the pharmacy licensing test and in 1906 became a licensed pharmacist with a job in the old Wells Building, downtown Milwaukee. They married sometime before WWI.
He now had 2 drugstores, 9th and State and 57th and Vliet. The State Street store had fancy ice cream chairs and tables. 57th Street had a soda fountain and 2 booths. During the Depression, Dad lost the downtown store but with loans from our four birthday accounts and others, he save the 57th Street store. Every April, we lined up in the sunporch to receive our interest payments. What a way to learn about finance.
He believed in fun! He pushed us in the the wheelbarrow, took us to the zoo and Brewers practice and the park playground, to Luick Ice Cream Factory and the White Rock Soda plant. We went pony riding and spent the whole day at the State Fair every summer. He built a stone BBQ grill, baked bread, made butter and grated potatoes for dumplings and pancakes. He showed us how to catch fish and turtles, how to fly kites and make an ice cream cone. Most of all he taught us by example how to be kind, make friends, forgive, enjoy life and how to love.
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Memories of Horky's Pharmacy
Do you have a memory of this building? Please email [email protected]
Remember September
By Anna Jacobi
Some of you remember Horky’s Pharmacy on 57th and Vliet Street. Mr. Horky, George, was my father, and I’m writing because September is his birthday. He would be 135 years old. He was born in Menasha, WI, the oldest of six.
This is how it was when he was growing up. In fall, his family butchered a hog, salted the meat and the lard, and put up sauerkraut for the winter. Jams and jellies were canned. And they made soap with ashes for lye, lard or suet for fat. No indoor plumbing and only a wood stove for heat.
When Dad graduated from Grade School, he apprenticed himself to a licensed pharmacist in Appleton, WI. He boarded in Appleton with his Aunt Emma and Cousin John Fountain. The two of them became really good friends and stayed close until Dad’s dying days.
My mother, Rose Weber, had a good friend in Appleton who decided that George and Rose should meet. She held a party inviting Rose to Appleton and the feat was accomplished. Dad moved to Milwaukee, passed the pharmacy licensing test and in 1906 became a licensed pharmacist with a job in the old Wells Building, downtown Milwaukee. They married sometime before WWI.
He now had 2 drugstores, 9th and State and 57th and Vliet. The State Street store had fancy ice cream chairs and tables. 57th Street had a soda fountain and 2 booths. During the Depression, Dad lost the downtown store but with loans from our four birthday accounts and others, he save the 57th Street store. Every April, we lined up in the sunporch to receive our interest payments. What a way to learn about finance.
He believed in fun! He pushed us in the the wheelbarrow, took us to the zoo and Brewers practice and the park playground, to Luick Ice Cream Factory and the White Rock Soda plant. We went pony riding and spent the whole day at the State Fair every summer. He built a stone BBQ grill, baked bread, made butter and grated potatoes for dumplings and pancakes. He showed us how to catch fish and turtles, how to fly kites and make an ice cream cone. Most of all he taught us by example how to be kind, make friends, forgive, enjoy life and how to love.
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Memories of Horky's Pharmacy
Do you have a memory of this building? Please email [email protected]
- Anna Metzner: I have such fond memories of Horky's and buying penny candy, marbles and stamps, (for mom), there. I lived on 57th street between Vliet and McKinley and I cried when it closed. I was eleven years old. Candy raisins were three for a penny and candy coins were two for a penny. Raisins were the best buy because he never bothered to count the exact amount. He just guessed and tossed in a big handful so there was always more in that little brown bag; more bang for my pennies and enough to share with friends. How I wish that I had some photos. Mr. Horky wasn't the friendliest person, but I always treated him respectfully as my parents raised me to behave accordingly towards my elders. He had a very distinct way of walking which I can imitate to this day. Horky's was a treasured haunt in my childhood. I remember asking him for a job once when I was probably eight or nine years old; he was not in the least interested despite my best and most enthusiastic pitch. Thanks for bringing up Horky's as it conjures vivid and happy childhood memories. I still dream about that establishment from time to time. Oh, God Bless Mr. Horky.
- Susan Valcq Gottschalk: St Sebs kids loved Horkys
- Mark McCabe: I Loved that place. Would love to see photos too. I can though see it clearly in my minds eye.
- Dawn Nault: When I attended Neeskara Binner School, my cadet crossing post was on that corner. Ran in many times for penny candy.
- Jeanine M Ellison: I lived in the apartment above what was Horky's when it turned into a tv shop. Plus when I went to Neeskara my cadet post was on that corner
- Diana Wellinghoff: I went to Neeskara in the late 60s--Horky's was a regular stop for candy on the walk home!
- Bill McGowan: I lived in the Washington Heights neighborhood and Horky's was a go to place for sodas malts and sundaes
- John Laskowski: My friends and I would visit Mr George Horky after school frequently for soda, snacks and candy. What a great place. His fountain/pharmacy was right out of Leave it to Beaver. This was lost to the next generation.
