History
Native American tribes found the Door Peninsula nearly as attractive as today's visitors. Abundant water, game and a relatively temperate climate that served to extend the growing season were attractive features.
The French were first to fly their flag over the Peninsula. Their legacy remains in the naming of the county. Early French explorers named the straight separating mainland Door County from Washington Island “Porte des Morts,” or Door of Death. The less ominous part of the name stuck and the county has opened its door to visitors ever since.
For the history buff visiting the Peninsula, there are a number of avenues to partake in Door County's past. Besides the museums presented in another story in this issue of the magazine, there are walking tours, as well as historical villages.
Historical walking tours are offered in Ephraim Tuesdays through Saturdays mid-June to Labor Day and Fridays and Saturdays thereafter until Labor Day. Call 920-854-9688 for more information.
While in Ephraim, check out the Ephraim Moravian Church, the county's oldest house of worship.
One of the oldest structures on the Peninsula can be found at Fish Creek in Founders Square. There you will find a log cabin built by Asa Thorp, who was one of a number of entrepreneurial pioneers who built docks that first served the bustling timber trade and eventually the growing tourism business. Nearby, the impressive Noble House stands on Fish Creek's busiest corner and is open to tours. Community walking tours also depart out of the Town Hall.
Asa, and his brother Levi, also built a dock in Egg Harbor. Levi eventually caught the gold rush bug and spent six years in California. He brought back $5,000 in gold dust and nuggets, enough to build the 14-room Cupola House which continues to stand prominently in the center of the village.
Sister Bay is home to the Sister Bay Historical Society and its ever-expanding Corner of the Past. Located at the south entrance to the village, the living history museum is built around the Old Anderson House. The 6-acre property is also home to a granary building, barn, chicken coop and migrant workers' quarters. Work continues on other additions.
In a similar vein, Crossroads at Big Creek is a collaboration between the Sturgeon Bay School District and Door County Historical Society. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the Vignes one-room school, a general store, a 19th century log home and a three-quarter scale replica of the Ephraim Moravian Church, which serves as a chapel.
The village is located on property accessed off County Highway TT near the intersection with Highway 42-57 on the eastern edge of the city. Crossroads is also an environmental learning preserve with a learning center and hiking trails.
Populated with names such as Brussels, Namur and Rosiere, southern Door County constitutes part of the largest Belgian-American settlement in the United States. An official state historical marker on Highway 57 in Namur is the only visible identification of the area's national landmark status.
