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Pantke-Harpke Milwaukee's Hatter a trip back over 100 years.

VetPsychWars

A-List Customer
Messages
410
Location
Greenfield Wisconsin
632 N Water St, the original building is still there but that address appears to be a bar.

References to "E Water St" are problematic because Water Street runs north and south; there may have been a segment at one time called Water but the address has been changed.

Tom
 
Messages
10,883
Location
Portage, Wis.
Many of the street names in Milwaukee have been changed over the years, which makes it tough to find locations of old buildings.

632 N Water St, the original building is still there but that address appears to be a bar.

References to "E Water St" are problematic because Water Street runs north and south; there may have been a segment at one time called Water but the address has been changed.

Tom

I could've sworn I had a hat or two that belonged to my great-grandfather laying around from there, but I'll be dipped if I can find 'em. The old location was only a few blocks from where my family lived for around 100 years, over on 3rd St. (Now Old World 3rd St.)
 

Joshbru3

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,409
Location
Chicago, IL
Late 40s/Early 50's Ecuadorian Panama Hat Company (Pantke-Harpke)

Original crown shape as it was purchased from the hatter

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Rats Riley

A-List Customer
Messages
365
Location
Whitewater WI
I have a black bowler from my grandpa. We both grew up in Milwaukee. I remember there was a building near the down town area that had a whole wall painted with the sign of their shop. Not sure if it's the same, since it's been a while since I've been back home. Makes me wonder if it was from the same place?
 

VetPsychWars

A-List Customer
Messages
410
Location
Greenfield Wisconsin
I have a black bowler from my grandpa. We both grew up in Milwaukee. I remember there was a building near the down town area that had a whole wall painted with the sign of their shop. Not sure if it's the same, since it's been a while since I've been back home. Makes me wonder if it was from the same place?

Might you be thinking of Donges Hats?

That's the only one that was around past the 60s that I know about.

Tom
 

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