Bubbler Talk

The near south side of Milwaukee has long been home to the city’s Mexican community, where food has always been an important part of the culture. This week's Bubbler Talk explores the history of one family's longtime restaurant — Luna's Texas Restaurant.

On this Bubbler Talk, we learn about the history behind the stained glass windows found in Milwaukee bungalows.

For more than 20 years, families gathered around their radios during the holidays to hear the Billie the Brownie show, featuring Billie, Santa Claus and Captain Larry.

When you’re driving to work, there’s nothing worse than seeing a traffic sign that shows delays ahead. But if you’re like firefighter Drew Schuster, there's one thing you look forward to seeing: the witty safety messages.

A listener recently discovered a piece of cultural and legal history on a break from jury duty at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, and wanted to know the story behind the Mahatma Gandhi statue.

The south side of Milwaukee is known for having a lot of churches. In fact, depending on where you are, many of those churches dot the Milwaukee skyline with their steeples.

Bubbler Talk inquirer Eloisa Gomez wanted to know: "In the Latino community, what and where are the historic landmarks that people can go to to get a better sense of the local Latino history?" Well, there are none.

The 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks were one of the greatest NBA teams of their era, but after winning it all in April of 1971 the team never got a victory parade. Instead, Milwaukeeans found their own way to celebrate the world champions.

What is the rusted metal object sitting across from the Lindsay Bros. Building on South 2nd Street in Milwaukee? The object is big, about the size of one of those storage PODS you see outside some people’s houses when they’re moving.

This week’s Bubbler Talk clears up some muddled history of one of our favorite drinks — the Old Fashioned. In a question from listener Lea, she asked:

Over the past four months, lots of systems in Wisconsin have had to adapt due to the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the state court system, which was forced to halt jury trials and move most other business online.

A listener wondered if it was true that there were underground baths in Milwaukee where powerful men once met in secret to do powerful things.

On Tuesday night, the Waukesha Common Council may decide whether to OK tearing down a key part of the last intact resort from Waukesha’s springs era. It’s a controversial proposal. But before we get into that, let's share the story of how Waukesha became known as a 'Spring City.'

Have you ever noticed a place name on your Google Maps or GPS, and thought, "I wonder what that is?"

Every summer on Father’s Day weekend, a huge festival used to take place in West Allis. It was called “West Allis Western Days.” It started in 1964 and saw its heyday in the '80s and '90s. Its signature event was an elaborate parade that included up to 500 horses and dozens of marching bands.

Wisconsin has a nickname. You've seen it on license plates: America's Dairyland. And in Milwaukee, you may have heard this moniker: Cream City.

There are three types of people in this world: Those who notice nothing. Those who notice but don’t care to question. And then there are those who ask why. David Wagner is the last one.

Editor's note: This piece was originally published on Feb. 16, 2018.

The 1960s and '70s were a time of great change in the United States. The counterculture was well underway.

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind the names of some buildings and streets and even cities you encounter?

Cold War fallout shelters are still around the Milwaukee area. You can still find some if you look for the signs, but many have fallen out of use.

If you take a look around Milwaukee and its surrounding communities, you may have noticed that coffee shops are kind of the new corner stores. From international chains like Starbucks to local roasters like Stone Creek, coffee seems to have taken over the city.

For some people, it's not an evening out in Milwaukee without a cocktail, a beer, or a glass of wine. But why does so much local social life revolve around alcohol?

Editor's note: This piece was originally published on April 21, 2017.

It might be difficult to picture City Hall in downtown Milwaukee more than 100 years ago. A lot has changed. But prepare yourself for a glimpse into the past.