The sign welcomed visitors to a desolate place, ironically calling the land a preserve (photo below). Journal science reporter Paul G. Hayes and photographer George P. Koshollek ventured into the tract of land, a former factory site in Milwaukee's northwest corner. The Little Menomonee River runs through the area. In the river and on the land Hayes and Koshollek found evidence of creostote, a coal tar derivative once used at the site to treat railroad ties, which also were still in abundance. The pair did find some life: wild strawberries, swamp sparrows and killdeers. Even so, the preserve remained a forlorn bit of nature. (nature preserve, Milwaukee County)
Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 05-25-1983.
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