Milwaukee Public Service Pins

City of Milwaukee Public Service Pins

I have had these for many years and have always assumed that they were related to the Milwaukee Public Service Building in down town Milwaukee. That building was the headquarters of the old Milwaukee Electric Rail Road and Light Company which ran the city street cars back in the day. Just recently I visited the Milwaukee Police Historical Society web site and ran across the display of a retired policeman’s badge grouping. In the group was a blue 25 years Milwaukee Service pin with a notation that the pin was given to the policeman on the 25th anniversary of his employment by the city. So now we know that this is a city award which covered all city employees including the police. The older pins are enamel on sterling silver and have hinged pins. The pins are small about ½ inch tall. I wonder how anyone could pin one on a lapel. The newer ones are not silver and have screw backs.