About 5700 W. Vliet
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 where the Vintage Glass Garden now resides in the front of the building 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 - see below. You'll also find several memories from people who responded to a request on the Old Milwaukee Facebook site.
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 - see below. 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.
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.