The following history of the Bon Ton was written by historian Michail Takach for the Facebook group in August 2022:

August 1932: Prohibition didn't stop the booze from flowing at the Bon Ton (206 E. Juneau Ave.,) known for its "dime store" drag shows and deviant customers.

Throughout Milwaukee's brief Pansy Craze of the early 1930s, Milwaukee Police Deputy Joseph Drewniak worked long and hard to rid the city of "dives" like the Bon Ton. His motto was "men should be men."

"Female impersonators are not what the city fathers considered proper tavern entertainment," he told the Milwaukee Journal. "These pansy acts are nothing but undesirable."

Although Milwaukee, like Chicago, went gay in a big way in the early 1930s, Drewniak eventually got his way. By 1934, the Bon Ton, along with the Nut House and College Inn, had all closed down due to police and public pressure. The Chez Paree was forced outside the city limits and continued to operate at 20th and Rawson until 1946.

You can see the tiny little Bon Ton, thirty years later, in the 1965 Milwaukee Public Library photo (to right). No, it's not the majestic building on the corner -- and how was THAT ever torn down? -- but the dirty looking little tavern with the beer sign just up the street.

Imagine THIS place, being the big drag destination, in your great-grandparent's day.

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.