Wisconsin Stories: Our Towns

In 1936, the United States Department of Agricultureís Resettlement Administration began the construction of three new communities, known as the Greenbelt towns, one of which is Greendale, near Milwaukee. Besides Greendale, the other two are Greenbelt, Md., and Greenhills, Ohio.

There were several objectives for these "utopian" communities. These model towns were intended to demonstrate a new kind of suburban community that would combine the advantage of both city and country life, provide work to men on unemployment relief, and provide low cost housing.

The town was carefully planned, with specific areas designed for business, village administration, residential, and cultural and recreational activities. All of the property was owned by the government and then rented to families, based upon income, housing need and family size. Income requirements were specific: minimum annual income of $1,200 and maximum of $2,700. Some exceptions were made for those with special skills, such as doctors and other professionals. To prevent too rapid expansion, Greendale residents tightly controlled all new development through various homeownersí associations.

The Village of Greendale was officially opened to new residents on May 1, 1938. This arrangement lasted until the houses were sold to the renters in 1952, for between $7,000 and $10,000. View the first photograph>>