The Martin Drive neighborhood is a small, safe, and affordable neighborhood, fortuitously located between beautiful Washington Park to the North and historic Miller Valley to the South. Due to its tucked-away location, the Martin Drive neighborhood is quiet and surprisingly free of traffic. Its mainly one-way, tree-lined streets are often host to joggers, dog walkers, and groups of children at play. 

Martin Drive is very accessible and centrally located. Only minutes from downtown Milwaukee, the neighborhood brushes against Wauwatosa to the West and it is a quick hop onto the freeway. Additionally, two large parks, a public pool, the Washington Park Library, cafes, restaurants, and a number of unique shops are all within walking distance. 

One of the most attractive aspects of the Martin Drive Neighborhood is its diverse and active residents, many of whom are involved in the close-knit neighborhood association. The Martin Drive Neighborhood Association is continually working to increase communication between neighbors, encouraging residents to aid in community projects and always striving to become the best neighborhood we can be! Community gardens, farmers markets, outdoor movies, and annual Trick or Treats bring families together.

The Martin Drive neighborhood was co-founded by Morgan Martin and Solomon Juneau in 1835. The neighborhood’s namesake Morgan Martin was a Green Bay lawyer, Wisconsin Congressman, Assemblyman, and State Senator.

The physical western borders of Martin Drive were altered in the 1950s with the construction of Highway 41 and its ramps. Many homes had to be moved with the erasure of 47th street.

Starting in the 1990s, Martin Drive neighbors began to work cohesively to revitalize their community. To attract new owners, residents began to renovate existing housing stock (that range from Victorian to brick, single-family to duplex and multi-family), build decorative fencing, pave driveways, organize community clean-ups and enhance landscaping.

In 2012, Little Free Libraries were placed around the neighborhood and serve as welcoming sentinels that the community is alive and well.