Jones Island Milwaukee Kaszube Park Wisconsin

Jones Island Milwaukee Kaszube Park Wisconsin Descendants gather the first Saturday in August, at Kaszube Park, to celebrate their heritage of those family members who lived on Jones Island.

Jones Island/Kaszube Park
1439 South Carferry Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53207

The first informal Kaszube picnic gatherings originated about 1977, a few years after the park was established in 1974. The gathering ceased in 1984 but in 2000, the Kupferschmidt brothers, descendants of Jones Island residents, revived the picnic. Fifteen to 300+ have gathered at the annual potluck event.

Jones Island annual fish fair 1890’s🎣
09/07/2026

Jones Island annual fish fair 1890’s🎣

Jones Island at one time was called Fish Island or Fisherman Island. Along the river were piers, fish shanties, fishing ...
08/12/2026

Jones Island at one time was called Fish Island or Fisherman Island. Along the river were piers, fish shanties, fishing boats, and reels of nets. Row boats were used near shore, while fishing smacks[sails], and steam tugs enabled fishing 10-20 miles from shore. A typical day started at dawn and lasted until late afternoon and included: A. 20-40 mile trip to the fishing grounds [each tug had 3-4 gangs of nets used on rotating days] B. locating the buoy and hauling in the nets C. extracting and separating the fish D. steam washing the nets and putting them in boxes E. putting out the next gang of nets F. cleaning the fish while returning to port G. unload fish and gear H. putting the nets on reels to dry, clean, and repair.
Fishing was 6 days a week, year round, except Sunday and special Holidays. Among the hardships and dangers were declining fish species and population, perceived harassment from game wardens, and life and death encounters with weather, seasons, and mechanical problems. When a tug failed to return other fishing tugs and the Life Saving crew would search and rescue. There were tragedies. Fishermen relocated across the river and along the Kinnickinnic river.

On the southside of the harbor entrance is the U.S. LIFE SAVING STATION. It consisted of 7 hardy men who lived in the s...
08/02/2026

On the southside of the harbor entrance is the U.S. LIFE SAVING STATION. It consisted of 7 hardy men who lived in the second floor barracks, and a Captain who lived with his family in a rear cottage. They trained 5 days a week in rescue skills. There was a lookout on top of the structure [2 at night] and every 2 hours at night one other would patrol to North Point and back. They were looking for boats and people in trouble. When a fishing tug was late or missing they, along with other fishing tugs, would search. Their duties were search, rescue, and recovery. There were numerous Jones Island drownings on the lake and especially on the river. Many were recovered by the Life Saving crew. The newspaper articles describe some, but not all. Two tell of my (Tom M) great great grandfather "Straightback" Joe Konkel [80 not 90] and his grandson Johnnie Konkel, son of his oldest son Joseph A. Konkel. In 1915 the Life Saving Service became the U.S. Coast Guard.

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1439 South Carferry Drive
Milwaukee, WI
53207

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