Eagle Knitting Mills Listed in the State Register of Historic Places | Wisconsin Historical Society

News Release

Eagle Knitting Mills Listed in the State Register of Historic Places

Eagle Knitting Mills Listed in the State Register of Historic Places | Wisconsin Historical Society

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara O’Keeffe
kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.org

August 28, 2020

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Eagle Knitting Mills Listed in the State Register of Historic Places

Milwaukee, WI. - The Wisconsin Historical Society placed Eagle Knitting Mills (Milwaukee, Milwaukee County) on the State Register of Historic Places on August 14, 2020.

The Eagle Knitting Mills building reflects an important part of Milwaukee’s industrial heritage as the manufacturing facility for a leader in knitwear at a time when knit goods consistently ranked among the most important industries in Milwaukee. Construction of the building allowed the company to expand its product lines and they received a number of patents for their knitted products and associated methods of manufacture. While occupying this building, the company workforce increased from 250 employees in 1928 to 700 during peak seasonal employment in the early-to-mid-1960s, illustrating its position as a large employer in Milwaukee knitwear manufacturing, as other companies employed far fewer people.

Eagle Knitting Mills is also notable for their longevity as one of only two knit goods manufacturers in Milwaukee to have remained in business throughout most of the twentieth century; initially as an independent firm and, after 1963, as a division of Zwicker Knitting Mills until it closed in 1991. Attesting to the high regard of the firm amongst its peers within the industry, Eagle Knitting Mills officers served in leadership positions within their trade organization, the Western District Knitted Outerwear Manufacturers Association.  The Company’s founders, Max and David Karger were well regarding by their industry peers and their employees.

The State Register is Wisconsin's official list of state properties determined to be significant to Wisconsin's heritage. The State Historic Preservation Office at the Wisconsin Historical Society administers both the State Register and National Register in Wisconsin.

To learn more about the State and National Register programs in Wisconsin, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org

About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.

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