Door County Stories


Book Description




Door County's Emerald Treasure


Book Description

With its magnificent forests, bluffs, and shoreline and its breathtaking views of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County’s Peninsula State Park is one of the Midwest’s most popular attractions. Established in 1909, it was Wisconsin’s second state park and a key to pioneering efforts to build a state park system that would be the envy of the nation. Door County’s Emerald Treasure explores the rich history of the park land, from its importance to Native Americans and early European settlers through the twentieth century. Bill Tishler engagingly relates the role of conservationists and progressives in establishing the state park, its growing popularity for tourism and recreation, and efforts to protect the park’s resources from a variety of threats. Tishler also tells a larger story of Americans’ intimate relationship with the land around them and the challenge to create accessible public spaces that preserve the natural environment.




Door County Tales


Book Description

Befitting its role as Wisconsin's thumb, Door County has its own unique pulse. It is the "Door of the Dead," which some historians blame for more shipwrecks than any other body of freshwater in the world. It is also the idyllic paradise "north of the tension line," that sends many unsuspecting tourists spiraling into an addiction that lands them in a summer home. The variety of nature's splendors and terrors is matched by the cast of characters that has risen up among them. In Door County Tales, these characters are given free rein, which seems only proper in a place where one might walk out of a restaurant and see goats grazing on the roof.




Haunted Door County


Book Description

Discover the history of this Wisconsin county known for shipwrecks—and spirits . . . photos included! Because Door County received its name from “Death’s Door,” the perilous strait with more freshwater shipwrecks than anywhere else in the world, it should be no surprise that the idyllic county has plenty of ghostly history. In the company of storyteller Gayle Soucek, meet lighthouse keepers whose sense of duty extends beyond the grave. Catch a glimpse of the phantom ship Le Griffon, never seen for more than a moment since it sailed through a crack in the ice in 1679. And it is not just the waters of Door County that carry the freight of haunted tales—Country Road T has its share of spooks, bizarre beasts have caused disturbances in the woods, and there are whispered rumors that infamous gangster Al Capone added to the county's stock of ghosts through a handful of brutal murders, including an ex-girlfriend and two unacknowledged children . . .




History of Door County, Wisconsin


Book Description

Charles Martin's 1881 history of Door County, Wisconsin, provides a brief survey of the early history of the county, as well as descriptions of the towns of Washington, Otumba (Sturgeon Bay), Forestville, Gibralter, Chambers' Island, Brussels, Liberty Grove, Clay Banks, Nasewaupee, Sevastopol, Bailey's Harbor, Gardner, Union, and Jacksonport. Brief biographical sketches of county residents and a county business directory are included.




Guarding Door County


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Jutting out of Wisconsin into the blue waters of Lake Michigan, the scenic peninsula of Door County is endowed with the longest coastline of any county in the nation. Since the mid-1800s, the region has boasted a strong maritime industry, dependent on the constant vigilance and efforts of U.S. Coast Guard units. The county has been home to as many as 12 historic light stations, as well as three life-saving stations. Beginning with Pottawatomie Light in 1837 and Sturgeon Bay Canal Life-Saving Station in 1886, keepers and surfmen survived both boredom and peril to ensure safe navigation and commerce, while rescuing those in distress. Through archival photographs, stories of shipwrecks, rescues, service, and pride spring to life. Rare rescue images of the Otter, a schooner which wrecked in 1895, are especially noteworthy.







Moon Wisconsin's Door County


Book Description

Moon Travel Guides: Make Your Escape! Soak up stunning coastlines, picturesque villages, and classic Midwestern charm with Moon Wisconsin's Door County. What you'll find in Moon Wisconsin's Door County: Strategic itineraries for every budget and timeline, from a weekend getaway to a week-long trip, curated for outdoor adventurers, foodies, history buffs, and more Must-see attractions and off-beat ideas for making the most of your trip: Spend the day cycling through forests and along rugged shorelines, or hiking to extraordinary caves and historic lighthouses. Unwind at a charming B&B, or wake up to a refreshing breeze at a beach-side campground. Sign up for a scuba dive into Lake Michigan to see perfectly preserved shipwrecks, or island-hop the bay by kayak or canoe. Peruse local art galleries or the fascinating Maritime Museum, and sample local cheeses and fresh cherries. Pick up a bottle of Door County wine, and find the best spots to sit by the water and watch the sunset Honest advice from Wisconsin native Thomas Huhti on when to go, what to pack, how to get around, and where to stay, from cozy lakeside inns to secluded island campsites Full coverage of Door County including Sturgeon Bay, Washington and Rock Islands, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, and more Coverage of gateway cities like Milwaukee and Madison Detailed maps and helpful reference photos throughout Thorough background on the culture, weather, wildlife, and history With Moon Wisconsin's Door County's practical advice, myriad activities, and local insight on the best things to do and see, you can plan your trip your way. Exploring more of the Midwest? Try Moon Minneapolis & St. Paul or Moon Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Headed North? Try Moon Ontario.







Hidden History of Sturgeon Bay


Book Description

Beyond the stunning beauty of Wisconsin's Sturgeon Bay lies a hidden past of colorful characters, tragic shipwrecks and compelling community achievements. Arriving as an immigrant to the town, Joseph Harris Sr. became a founding father, creating the Door County Advocate newspaper and leading a campaign to construct the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. More than one hundred local volunteers formed the ranks of Company F, nicknamed Les Terribles by the French for their bravery and sacrifice in World War I. After surviving the Civil War, former slave Peter Custis endured unimaginable tragedy while forging a life in the city. Authors Heidi Hodges and Kathy Steebs expose the forgotten history of Sturgeon Bay. It's a story of dogged perseverance.