Soldiers' Home Reef

Soldiers' Home Reef is a fossilized coral reef from the Silurian period that forms a steep limestone bluff about 70 feet high and 450 feet long. The formation sits within the grounds of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and displays remains of ancient sea creatures including trilobites and mollusks.

The reef was discovered in the 1830s by geologist Increase A. Lapham, who recognized it as one of the first documented coral reef formations in North America. This finding helped scientists understand that the entire region was once covered by a tropical sea.

The reef serves as a window into the distant past, showing visitors what once covered the land where Milwaukee now stands. Walking along the limestone bluff helps people grasp how radically the landscape has changed over millions of years.

The reef sits on the grounds of a military hospital and while accessible to visitors, it is located within a restricted area that requires permission to enter. Plan ahead by contacting the facility to arrange a visit, as access is not always available to the general public.

The reef contains fossils of pelmatozoans and bryozoans, sea creatures that are rarely seen today. These finds offer visitors a glimpse into marine life forms that have vanished for millions of years.

Location: Milwaukee

GPS coordinates: 43.02778,-87.97472

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24