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File #: 251706    Version: 0
Type: Resolution Status: In Council
File created: 1/30/2026 In control: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
On agenda: Final action:
Effective date:    
Title: Resolution authorizing an historic site plaque on the Walnut Street overpass acknowledging the location of a childhood home of Malcolm X.
Sponsors: ALD. STAMPER, ALD. WESTMORELAND
Attachments: 1. 1910 Map with Malcolm Little-X-Shabazz House site, 2. plan of proposed downtown expressway, 3. Hillside urban renewal map
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
3/2/20260 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION

Minutes note: Mr. Tim Askin gave a presentation on evidence, address, and site history. Tim discussed verification of the family’s Milwaukee residence, including reference to a birth certificate (noted as Malcolm’s brother’s birth certificate). Identified the relevant address as 1012 W. Galena Street (one block south of Walnut), with uncertainty whether the home was the front or rear house; both structures are no longer standing. Confirmed demolition was due to freeway/urban renewal impacts, specifically the Hillside neighborhood redevelopment and I-43/Marquette Interchange construction. Pinpointed the former home site as approximately where the ramp meters are on the Fond du Lac Avenue northbound on-ramp. Reviewed supporting materials: a 1910 map (clearer) and an aerial photo around 1953 (noted as the only clear aerial), plus context from a Nebraska-installed plaque at the Omaha home site. Plaque location, design, and text: WisDOT approved a plaque location on the Walnut Street overpass that provides a view toward where the house stood; other locations were explored but not approved. Mr. Askin prepared draft language and a graphic design. Text was not fully final and wasn’t included in the shared file. Mr Askin read the draft aloud. Looking south from Walnut Street, the home sat ~90 yards away in the middle of the northbound on-ramp. Names Louise and Earl Little and children (Wilfred, Hilda, Filbert, Malcolm,Reginald) associated with the home. States Malcolm was born May 19, 1925, in Omaha; family moved to Milwaukee in Dec. 1926 and had their eighth child, Reginald, at 1012 W. Galena; moved to Michigan in 1929. See video for complete presentation. Temporary connection/audio problems affected remote participants; troubleshooting focused on microphone/speaker settings. Member Sally Peltz left the meeting at 3:40 pm. Ensured quorum by asking Nick Hans to remain connected so the group. Finalize plaque text and formatting, then distribute the near-final draft to the committee for records. Proceed with installation planning for the WisDOT-approved Walnut Street overpass location. The Commission moved to approved. There were no objections.
Pass4:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
1/30/20260 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TO   Action details Meeting details Not available

Number

251706

Version

ORIGINAL

Reference

 

Sponsor

ALD. STAMPER, ALD. WESTMORELAND

Title

Resolution authorizing an historic site plaque on the Walnut Street overpass acknowledging the location of a childhood home of Malcolm X.

Drafter

CC-CC

Tim Askin

1/30/2026