Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Gertie the Duck: Good Mom, Symbol of Hope

Rosie, Freddie, and Black Bill are all on one side, while Millie is alone on the other side. There are other statues and art recognizing the duck family throughout the river walk area.

Gertie the Duck lived under the Wisconsin Ave. Bridge during World War II.

Gertie served as a reminder of the preciousness of life after so many years of war. Gertie diverted attention from the war as the world watched and awaited the arrival of the Mother's ducklings. The City of Milwaukee even delayed reconstruction of the bridge while she was hatching 6 chicks, Black Bill, Dee Dee, Freddie, Millie, Pee Wee, and Rosie.

The 5 bronze statues (Dee Dee and Pee Wee are on the same pedestal as Gertie) are located within 20 yards of each other. Gertie was dedicated in 1997 with the others following in 1999.

More info about Gertie, from recent coverage in the Milw. Journal Sentinel...
"They had a huge storm and all of the ducks fell into the river, and the bridge tender had to go out with this long pole with a net at the end and save the ducks.

"The Boy Scouts had a Gertie Patrol, to watch out for the safety of Gertie.

"A lot of people don't know that Gimbels had three registered nurses on eight-hour shifts (to watch over the ducklings in the store's window). They not only had the temperature correct, but the humidity correct.

"And whenever they had a parade, when the band came to Plankinton Avenue they stopped playing and walked quietly across the bridge."

A famous World War II era duck that lived under a bridge in Milwaukee, WI, will soon be nesting in bronze. A $15,000 statue of Gertie the Duck, donated by a local architectural firm, will be placed on the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge.