GREENDALE, WI (WTAQ) - An historic district in the Milwaukee suburb of Greendale has been declared as a national historic landmark.

The U.S. Interior Department announced the new landmark Wednesday, along with over two dozen others around the country.

Greendale was one of three “green belt” communities built with federal support during the Great Depression in the 1930’s.

It was part of the government’s response to the high unemployment during the depression – and the need to reform housing to help the urban working class.

The Interior Department says there are now 2,500 national historic landmarks, plus 600 other natural landmark sites throughout America.