Local History Resources
Cudahy Family Library has an extensive collection of materials chronicling the history of Cudahy, Wisconsin. We take great pride in preserving the past for the Cudahy's future generations. The Local History collection is housed in the Local History Room of the Cudahy Family Library and is open by appointment only. To make a reservation, please contact the Reference Desk at (414) 769-2244 during business hours.
City Directories
Our collection includes city directories from the Milwaukee County area. The directories from Cudahy and Town of Lake are also available on microfilm.
| Cudahy | 1921 - 1966 |
| South Milwaukee | 1942 - 1962 |
| Lake (Town of) | 1938 - 1950 |
| Bresser's (Milwaukee metro area) | 1970 - current |
| Wrights/PORS (Milwaukee) | 1947 - current |
Clipping File
A collection of newspaper clippings, reports, scrapbooks, pamphlets, booklets, flyers, newsletters, and handouts on a variety of Cudahy subjects. Topics include coverage on:
- City departments
- Local businesses and people
- Local organizations
- Local schools
- Historical events
- Census data
Note: Duplicate copies of some of the pamphlet material in this file are also available in the Library's Vertical File Collection under the heading "Cudahy, Wisconsin -- History."
Picture File
This companion to our clipping file is a collection of old photographs, arranged by subject. A card catalog is available for easy access and searching.
Yearbooks
Our collection includes copies of the Cudahy High School Yearbook, The Arrow. You can view the 1923 - 1967 copies on microfilm, or look at print copies from 1923 to the present year. We are missing 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1993. Donations of these yearbooks would be greatly appreciated by the Cudahy Family Library and highly beneficial to the members of the community.
Our collection also has two student alumni directories. The Cudahy High School Alumni Directory contains information on graduates from 1924 to 1995. The Wisconsin Lutheran High School Alumni Directory is a compilation of information on those as early as the class of 1903 to the class of 1998.
Newspapers
Our collection consists of paper and microfilm copies of local newspapers, with the primary emphasis on Cudahy's own Reminder/Enterprise.
Print Newspaper Archives
| Advisor Press | 1892 - 1987 |
| Free Press | 1980 - 1981 |
| Reminder/Enterprise (complete) | 1933 - 1945 |
| Reminder/Enterprise (incomplete) | 1959 - present |
Microfilm Newspaper Archives
| Milwaukee Courier | 11/1/1843 - 6/7/1847 |
| Milwaukee Journal | 3/23/21 - 4/29/21 |
| New Day | 6/12/20 - 7/22/22 |
| Reminder/Enterprise | 1912 - present |
Maps
A small collection of local maps, including zoning and political district maps of Cudahy. Highlights include:
- 1906 City of Cudahy Map
- 1931 City of Cudahy Map
- 1937-1954 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
Patrick Cudahy Company Archives
Gifts from Judge Richard D. Cudahy and the Patrick Cudahy Company make this collection a truly unique archive. Highlights include:
- Original articles of the Company's incorporation
- Company Minute Books 1893 - 1967
- Issues of Peacock Feathers
- Sample product labels
- Photographs of the plant and employees
Cudahy Family
Books written about the Cudahy Family in our collection include:
- The Cudahys: An Irish-American Success Story
- The Education of Edward Cudahy
- Patrick Cudahy, His Life
For additional information
Cudahy Historical Society
P.O. Box 332
Cudahy, WI 53110
Cudahy Depot (414) 747-1892
Milwaukee County Historical Society
910 N. Third St.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 273-8288
Materials in our Local History Collection do not circulate. They are available for reference use only. An appointment is needed to view the collection.
The Library has a scanner, color photocopier, a microfilm reader/printer available for quality copies of reference materials.
The Cudahy Family Library gladly accepts donations of local history items for our collections.