In the early 1900s, this land was some of the best farmland in the Town of Granville. Milwaukee County started purchasing the land from farmers in 1904. In 1917, the Milwaukee County House of Correction moved from Wind Lake Avenue to this location. The prisoners worked the land, growing food for the prison inmates and residents of other county institutions. In 1939 alone, the prison kitchen canned 1350 gallons of corn, 2442 gallons of cucumber relish, 5534 gallons of tomatoes, and much more! The prisoners also operated a dairy farm that provided fresh milk, butter, and cheese for the inmates.