At first, it seems Milwaukie, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have very little in common. They have a population of only 20,490 while ours is almost 600,000. In Milwaukie, 91 percent of the people are white, wheareas in Milwaukee, we have a black population of almost 40 percent. Plus, Milwaukie's temperatures rarely dip below the 40s and their real estate is West Coast expensive with most three-bedroom houses going for $200,000-$400,000.
However, after further investigation, there are indeed similarities between the two places.
First of all, we both live near larger cities. Milwaukie is 40 miles from Portland and we, of course, are 90 miles from Chicago.
Both Milwaukee and Milwaukie are waterfront cities, with the Oregon town perched on the edge of the Willamette River. Sail boating and motor boating are popular on Lake Michigan, but canoeing and kayaking are the sports of choice on the Willamette.
We have Summerfest in Downtown Milwaukee and Downtown Milwaukie celebrates with Summer Daze. The Daze features a parade, carnival, helicopter rides, street dance, dog show, bingo tournament, skateboard park and a huge array of arts and crafts. Also, the Oregon Bing cherry was first discovered in downtown Milwaukie, so a cherry cook-off, pie eating competition and cherry pit spitting contest are also featured at the event.
Milwaukie, like Milwaukee, is also a hot spot for bowling. The Milwaukie Bowl has leagues, tournaments, lessons, parties and open bowling. The Milwaukee Bowl web site published the season's top rollers, and they aren't bad. Perhaps a Milwaukie vs. Milwaukee bowl-off is in order?
Both Milwaukeeans and Milwaukieans pride themselves on their park system. There are five parks in Milwaukie, compared to 140 in Milwaukee, but still a lot of green space in both cities.
We also share a love of suds. Oregon has been called "the craft brewery mecca" -- with Widmer Brothers and Rogue Ales both from the area -- and we were once tagged "the beer capital of the world."
Unfortunately, we were unable to find sausage intake data for Milwaukie, but something tells me we'd blow 'em away.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
