Nickname for the city of Milwaukee, WI. In 1835, brickmakers began using the red lacustrine clay found along Lake Michigan's western shore. Despite the notable characteristic of being red, after firing it becomes a pleasant pale golden color. In addition to being much easier on the eyes than red brick, it was also much stronger and possessed superior weather resistance properties.

By the 1850s, word of this red-free alternative to red brick had spread, and local brickyards teamed up with Milwaukee's growing shipping industry to spread this aesthetically pleasing product throughout the Midwest. This brick making boom was such a success that within 20 years, enough Milwaukee buildings were made of the stuff the city became known as the "Cream City," and the brick, in turn, became known as "Cream City brick."

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