The Colorful History of Havenwoods State Forest

Family homesteads once stood on the land that's now Havenwoods.

Then, in the early 1900s, the Milwaukee County House of Corrections was built there. An Army Disciplinary Barracks, Nike Missile site, and city landfill soon followed.

The remains of the Nike missile base were obvious in the spring of 1976.
DNR Photo

"Progress" almost did away with Havenwoods. Thanks to a vocal, active group of citizens, community leaders, and public officials working together, the land was set aside as a green space in the middle of Milwaukee.

In 1979, the Department of Natural Resources began restoring the area.

For more information, ask Havenwoods, (414) 527-0232. Fax and TDD (414)527-0761.