Door County 2009 Visitor Guide - (Page 37) he average visitor to Door County literally falls in love with our beautiful peninsula on the spot. Of course, if visitors are that taken with the peninsula and surrounding islands, it’s easy to imagine how much respect and pride local dwellers might have. Many descendants of the original settlers still comprise the majority of the County’s population even today, and the pride for our local history and heritage has led to the preservation of many historic buildings and sites, many of which are still in use today. They are museums and cultural attractions, lodging establishments, restaurants, business structures, and restored living spaces. Whether it is through our food, our festivals, our buildings, or our mannerisms, Door County puts its heritage and history proudly on display in the present. Even before the coming of explorer René Robert Cavalier de LaSalle, what would become Door County was recognized as being on the important path to the great Mississippi River, which showed great promise of leading explorers to the Far East. The lakes and rivers of the Northwest Territories proved to be more navigable than expected, and the Door Peninsula and surrounding Islands began to show up on maps of those who explored the area. LaSalle’s previous explorations of the Great Lakes had been legendary, but expensive. In order for the King of France to forgive his debt, LaSalle needed to provide the French access to the East Indies. But LaSalle’s ship, the Griffin, mysteriously disappeared while he was on another exploration in Mississippi, and the County reverted to existing as it had for hundreds of years. It was not until the fishermen came to Rock Island and the lumbermen to Sturgeon Bay that Door County changed from an undisturbed wilderness to a pioneer community. Although there was a bit of settlement in Door County in the early 1800s, significant settlement in the peninsula did not begin until the 1850s. Door County’s first settlers were Increase and Mary Claflin who established themselves in the Little Sturgeon Bay area before moving to the area known as Weborg Point in Peninsula State Park in 1844. After awhile, many groups of Belgian, German, Polish, Scandinavians and Icelanders put down roots in many different areas of the County. Early settlers made their living by fishing, farming, and tree cutting. In 1851, the area had had acquired enough settlers to be County on its own. T HISTORICAL & CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS In the late 1860s, steamers from Milwaukee and Chicago began stopping at the village harbors on the peninsula, dropping off goods, and, later in the century when the steamers began to keep regular schedules, tourists. The Goodrich Line, organized in 1855, was one of the first companies to put Sturgeon Bay and other Door County ports on its list of stops. Goodrich, along with the building of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, enabled summer vacationers to establish the roots of tourism, Door County’s most important industry. Many visitors found Door County by traveling on Goodrich boats from Milwaukee or Chicago, and soon every pier in the harbor towns and villages became a flurry of activity, waiting for people, cargo, and supplies to come off of the steam ships. What started as families opening their homes for summer visitors quickly transformed into a thriving hospitality industry. Seasonal visitors have formed extended summer families of their own, coming back every summer to show their offspring and friends the beauty and calm of the peninsula that beguiled LaSalle all those years ago. Through all of these seasons of change, Door County and its many historical foundations and organizations have worked tirelessly to make sure that this history is preserved for many generations to come. A large handful of these organizations exist on the peninsula; many groups forming for the sake of preserving stories and artifacts that exist in their individual villages and towns. Museums and historical sites reveal an interesting history and impressive story of settlement and enterprise through visual displays, oral and written histories, and artifacts. Many museums in the county recognize the need to connect with potential visitors though technology, and offer items such as portable audio walking tours and interactive touch screen exhibits. Our rich maritime history is evident in the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay and the access to many of the county’s lighthouses during the annual Lighthouse Walk. From the Belgian Settlement in Southern Door to the Scandinavian heritage that abounds in Northern Door to the Icelanders on Washington Island, Door County and its people represent the brave pioneers who settled this land. The Door County Visitors Bureau staff and website can help you connect the past to the present – and the future. - Melissa Ripp H S ■ EPHR AIM MONUMENT On the shore across from the Ephraim Village Hall Commemorates landing of the Moravians in 1853. ■ HISTORIC STURGEON BAY ✦ 920-743-6246 Self-guided walk or drive of Sturgeon Bay’s two “National Register Historic Districts.” Complete tour includes over 100 buildings. Maps available from Sturgeon Bay Visitor & Convention Bureau. ■ RIDGES SANCTUARY ✦ 1/2 mi N. of Baileys Harbor www.ridgesanctuary.org A natural area where only native plants & animals exist. Foot travel only. Hiking trails, including trail for visually handicapped. Guided tours during summer & early fall. ■ HISTORIC MICHIGAN STREET BRIDGE ✦ Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay Owned by the State of Wisconsin, this bridge was built in 1930, and is currently being placed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of only two remaining examples left in the United States. The Schwerzer-type overhead counterweight draw section makes this structure both unique and nationally significant. ■ LOG CABIN OF ASA THORP Founders Square, Fish Creek House of the Founder of Fish Creek. ■ THE RIDGES ON WASHINGTON ISLAND Jackson Harbor, NE corner of Washington Island A state of Wisconsin Scientific area. Nature trail. ■ OLD RUGGED CROSS ✦ Maple St, Sturgeon Bay Historical marker at Friends Church where the composer introduced this hymn in 1913. ■ OLD SCHOOL HOUSE See Calendar of Events in the back of this book for scheduled historical/museum events. ✦ Open in Winter ✧ Open Limited Hours in Winter ■ STURGEON BAY SHIP CANAL & COAST GUARD STATION LIGHTHOUSE At eastern foot of canal that connects Lake Michigan & Sturgeon Bay. Canal completed in 1882. Lighthouse and breakwater pier are some of the most photographed subjects in the county. D o o r C o u n t y. c o m South edge of Sister Bay on Hwy 42 & 57 First schoolhouse in northern Door County. Founded 1866. Presently Sister Bay Information Center. W Open Winter Weekends 37 http://www.ridgesanctuary.org http://www.DoorCounty.com
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