Overview of Regional Landmarks
Door County features a wide range of historical and cultural sites that reflect its maritime roots, architectural heritage, and natural landscapes. This overview provides a snapshot of notable locations that have been preserved, commemorated, or repurposed to support public education and regional identity. Many of these sites offer insight into the area’s development over time and continue to illustrate its historical significance.
Anderson Store
Originally constructed in 1858, this general store was restored and added to the National Historic Places. It served as a preserved example of commercial life in early Ephraim.
Art and Nature Center
Located on Washington Island, this center focused on environmental education while also highlighting the island’s cultural and historical background.
Björklunden Chapel
South of Baileys Harbor, this chapel stood as part of a larger wooded retreat, reflecting Scandinavian design influences in its construction and purpose.
Cana Island Lighthouse
This lighthouse, situated northeast of Baileys Harbor, was built during the 19th century. Today, it remains one of the most photographed maritime landmarks in the region.
Cave Point County Park
Famous for its limestone cliffs, this park is part of the Niagara Escarpment. Additionally, it provides a clear view of the geological forces that shaped the peninsula.
Cupola House
Constructed in 1871, this historic home in Egg Harbor became a National Historic Landmark. Its architectural style exemplifies post-Civil War residential design.
Door County Historical Museum
Based in Sturgeon Bay, the museum focuses on preserving regional artifacts, community stories, and items reflecting everyday life in earlier generations.
Door County Maritime Museum
Also located in Sturgeon Bay, this museum emphasized the significance of the county’s shipbuilding, fishing, and navigational past. It complemented broader efforts to preserve Great Lakes maritime history.
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
Built in 1868 and located within Peninsula State Park, this lighthouse was recognized for its role in 19th-century navigation and is included on the National Historic Places.
Ephraim Monument
This commemorative structure honored the Moravian settlers who arrived in the mid-1800s. It symbolized the religious and communal origins of Ephraim.
Ellison Bluff County Park
Situated near Ellison Bay, this park offered high bluff views and served as a scenic overlook along the Niagara Escarpment.
Ephraim Wetlands Preserve
This nature preserve provided protection for wetland habitats and served as a space for observing seasonal wildlife and ecological change.
Hardy Gallery
Housed in a landmark building on Anderson Dock, the gallery offered seasonal art exhibitions. At the same time, it stood as a cultural anchor blending history with contemporary expression.
Historical Village at The Crossroads
Located in Sturgeon Bay, this village features restored 19th-century structures. These buildings offered a glimpse into early domestic and civic life across the peninsula.
Old School House
Built in 1866, this former school marked the introduction of formal education in Northern Door County. It remains an important symbol of the area’s educational roots.
Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum
Found on Washington Island, the museum documented the local maritime industry, including fishing operations, transport, and ship maintenance.
Log Cabin of Asa Thorp
Erected in 1849 by the founder of Fish Creek, this structure was one of the oldest log buildings in the area and remained a central part of local heritage.
Noble House Museum
Built in 1875 and located in Fish Creek, this residence was added to the National Register of Historic Homes. Its preserved interiors represented upper-middle-class life during the late 1800s.
Old Rugged Cross
This monument in Sturgeon Bay was of religious significance and remained part of the community’s commemorative landscape.
Pioneer School House
Completed in 1869, this schoolhouse in Ephraim remained intact as a resource for understanding early instructional practices in rural settings.
Portes des Mortes (Death’s Door)
Known for its dangerous currents, this strait between Gills Rock and Washington Island contributed to the naming of the region. Historically, it was the site of numerous shipwrecks.
Range Lights
Located near Baileys Harbor, these guide lights operated in pairs to help direct vessels into safe harbor. Their function was similar to that of lighthouses.
Ridges Sanctuary
This nature preserve near Baileys Harbor protects unique dune formations created by shifting lake levels. Furthermore, it provided habitat for rare plant species and offered extensive walking trails.
The Ridges on Washington Island
Found in the northeast portion of the island, this natural area extended the ecological significance of the mainland sanctuary to island ecosystems.
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal and Coast Guard Station
Completed in the late 1800s, this canal and adjacent facilities supported maritime navigation, connecting the bay with Lake Michigan through a constructed waterway.
Thomas Goodletson House
Built in 1857, this Ephraim home was restored and furnished to reflect the period. It remained one of the oldest documented houses in Door County.
Washington Island Farm Museum
This museum preserved original log structures and displayed agricultural tools, highlighting early farm life and settlement patterns on Washington Island.
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