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East Wisconsin Avenue

This view is looking west with your back to Lake Michigan at the very end of Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee.

 

Most Milwaukee natives still refer to the building at 626 E. Wisconsin Ave. as "The Wisconsin Gas Building." Designed in the Art Deco style and completed in 1930, the building is 250 ft. tall and has 20 floors. In 1956, a weather beacon shaped as a natural gas flame was added to the top building. The neon flame is 21 ft. tall and adds a unique splash of color to the Milwaukee skyline. Known as the "weather flame," the light changes color along with the weather forecast for the following day. Here's a poem that explains the colors;

"When the flame is red, warm weather is ahead.

When the flame is gold, watch out for cold.

When the flame is blue, there's no change in view.

Where there's agitation, expect precipitation."