It is named after the strait between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island. This dangerous passage, known asDeath's Door, containsshipwrecks and was known to Native Americans and early French explorers. The county was created in 1851 and organized in 1861.[4]
Nicknamed the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," Door County is a popularUpper Midwest vacation destination. Tourism is a major contributor to Door County's economy. It is Wisconsin's forty-fourth largest county in population, but it is the eighth largest in terms of economic impact from tourism (over $600 million in 2023).[5]
Door County's name came fromPorte des Morts ("Death's Door"), the passage between the tip of Door Peninsula and Washington Island.[6] The name "Death's Door" came from Native American tales, heard by early French explorers and published in greatly embellished form byHjalmar Holand, which described a failed raid by theHo-Chunk (Winnebago) tribe to capture Washington Island from the rivalPottawatomi tribe in the early 1600s. It has become associated with shipwrecks within the passage.[7] The earliest known written reference to the legend is fromEmmanuel Crespel [fr], who termed the peninsula "Cap a la Mort" in 1728.[8]
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the immigration and settlement of pioneers, mariners, fishermen, loggers, and farmers. The first white settler was Increase Claflin.[9] In 1851, Door County was separated from what had been Brown County.[10] In 1853, Moravians founded Ephraim afterNils Otto Tank resisted attempts at land ownership reform at the old religious colony near Green Bay.[11] An African-American community and congregation worshiping at West Harbor on Washington Island was described in 1854.[12] Also in 1854 the first post office in the county opened, on Washington Island.[13] In the 19th century, a fairly large-scale immigration ofBelgianWalloons populated a small region in the southern portion of the county,[14] including the area designated as theNamur Historic District. They built small roadsidevotive chapels, some still in use today,[15] and brought other traditions over from Europe such as theKermiss harvest festival.[16]
Shortly after the 1831Treaty of Washington,[17] the federal government surveyed what is now Door County to determine the value of the timber and to divide up parcels for eventual sale.[18][19] Following the treaty, land in what is now the county was sold or granted to private citizens.[20]
At the time theHomestead Act of 1862 was passed, most of the county's nearly 2,000 farmers weresquatters earning most of their revenue from lumber and wood products. The remaining portion of the population consisted of about 1,000 fishermen and their families. Out of the total population of 2,948 people, 170 fought in theCivil War.[21]
When the 1871Peshtigo fire burned the town of Williamsonville, fifty-nine people were killed. The area of this disaster is now Tornado Memorial County Park, named for afire whirl which occurred there.[22][23][24] Altogether, 128 people in the county perished in the Peshtigo fire.[10][11]
Excursion party on theSailor Boy; postmarked 1906 in Sturgeon Bay. TheSailor Boy and other small steamboats stopped at Menominee to take on rail passengers. Since rail service was faster, tourists from Chicago would first take a northbound train in order to board steamboats bound for resort communities.[28]This 1924 postcard produced byCurt Teich & Company reads, "Cedar Glen, one of the many free tourists' camp sites in Peninsula State Park, Door County Wisconsin."
Even after the Ahnapee and Western extended service to Sturgeon Bay in 1894, many tourists continued taking therailroad toMenominee, Michigan[a] to embark on steamships bound for communities in Door County. This route over Green Bay bypassed poor road conditions in the northern part of the county, which persisted until the early 1920s. Only after crushed stone highways were built did motor andhorse-drawn coaches become popular for transportation between Sturgeon Bay and the northern part of the peninsula.[29][10] By 1909 at least 1,000 tourists visited per year,[30] a figure which grew to about 125,000 in 1920,[31] 1 million in 1969,[32] 1.25 million in 1978,[33] and 1.9 million in 1995.[34]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,370 square miles (6,100 km2), of which 482 square miles (1,250 km2) is land and 1,888 square miles (4,890 km2) (80%) is water.[37] It is the largest county in Wisconsin by total area. The county has 298 miles (480 km) of shoreline.[38]
The county covers the majority of theDoor Peninsula. With the completion of theSturgeon Bay Shipping Canal in 1881,[39] the northern half of the peninsula became anartificial island.[40] This canal is believed to have somehow "caused a wonderful increase in the quantity of fish" in nearby waters[41] and also caused a reduction in the sturgeon population in the bay due to changes in the aquatic habitat.[42] The45th parallel north bisects the "island", and this is commemorated by Meridian County Park.[43][44]
The county has ahumid continental climate (classified as Dfb inKöppen) with warm summers and cold snowy winters. Data from the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station north of the city of Sturgeon Bay gives average monthly temperatures ranging from 68.7 °F (20.4 °C) in the summer down to 18.0 °F (−7.8 °C) in the winter. The moderating effects of nearby bodies of water reduce the likelihood of damaging late spring freezes. Late spring freezes are less likely to occur than in nearby areas, and when they do occur, they tend not to be as severe.[45]
Road in Shivering Sands wetland complex, January 1
Today, most tourists and summer residents come from the metropolitan areas ofMilwaukee,Chicago,Madison,Green Bay, and theTwin Cities,[46] although Illinois residents are the dominant group both in Door County and farther south along the eastern edge of Wisconsin.[47]
Besides Lake Michigan and Green Bay, there are 26 lakes, ponds, or marshes and 37 rivers, creeks, streams, and springs in the county.[52] The two deepest lakes,Mackaysee Lake at 26 feet (8 m) and Krause Lake at 24 feet (7 m) are on Chambers Island.[53]
Tamias striatus doorsiensis, asubspecies of eastern chipmunk, is only found in Door,Kewaunee, NortheasternBrown, and possiblyManitowoc counties.[57]In 1999, the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory listed 24 aquatic and 21 terrestrial animals in Door County as "rare."[58]
As of 2018[update], 166species of birds have been confirmed to live in Door County, excluding birds seen which lack the habitat to nest and must only be passing through.[59]
Door County's economy is considered a "forestry-related tourism"-based economy.[80] In 2020, the totalgross domestic product (GDP) of the county was $1.39 billion, with the $274 million manufacturing industry overtaking real estate and rental and leasing that year to become the leading industry in the county at 19.7% of the overall GDP.[81]
WIS 57 in March (hereconcurrent with the Door County National Scenic Byway)
WIS 42 near Gills Rock in October
The combined WIS 42/WIS 57 separates again at a junction in Sevastapol. Following this separation, WIS 42 continues along the western side of the peninsula and sees more traffic than WIS 57,[83] which continues along the eastern side. The two highways combine again at a junction in Liberty Grove.
Door County Coastal Byway (WIS 42 and WIS 57) north of Sturgeon Bay to Northport is classified as a Wisconsin Scenic Byway[84] and National Scenic Byway.[85]
There are fiverustic roads in the county.[86] In addition to state-recognized rustic roads, Liberty Grove manages a heritage roads program. As of 2019[update] there were 12 heritage roads in the town.[87]
There are 230.8 miles (371.4 km)[88] of snowmobile trails,[89][90] which are opened as trails are groomed.[91]
TheAhnapee State Trail connects Sturgeon Bay toKewaunee, winter snowmobile access is dependent on weather and trail grooming.[92] Although theIce Age Trail coincides with most of the Ahnapee State Trail, the Ice Age Trail forks away in the City of Sturgeon Bay and reaches its northern terminus at Potawatomi State Park.[93] Mountain bike trails are located in three of the state parks.[94][95]
Sturgeon Bay Bridge (also called Michigan Street Bridge), truss structure,Scherzer-type, double-leaf, rolling-lift bascule with overhead counter-weights[98]
Oregon Street Bridge (reinforced concrete slab, rolling lift bascule girder with mechanical driven center locks)[99]
Bayview Bridge (monolithic concrete placed on structural deck with steel girder superstructure, open grating on deck,bascule)[100]
A daily private shuttle service operates betweenGreen Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport and Sturgeon Bay.[101] The nearest intercity bus stop with regular service is in Green Bay.[102] There are multiple private and public ground transportation services within the county, but none with regularly scheduled stops for the general public.[103][104]
Door County Memorial Hospital Heliport, allows for air ambulance service to the hospital from remote areas of the county[108] and for flying patients to Green Bay.
Washington Island is served by two ferry routes operating between the Door Peninsula andDetroit Harbor. One route is a 30-minute ride on a freight, automobile, and passenger ferry that departs from theNorthport Pier at the northern terminus ofWIS 42. This ferry makes approximately 225,000 trips per year.[101] Another route is a 20- minute ride on apassenger-only ferry which departs from the unincorporated community ofGills Rock.[115]
Rock Island State Park is reachable by the passenger ferryKarfi fromWashington Island.[116] During winter Rock Island is potentially accessible via snowmobile and foot traffic.
Although Chambers Island has no regularly scheduled ferry, there are boat operators which transport people to the island on call from Fish Creek.
As of thecensus of 2020,[120] the population was 30,066. Thepopulation density was 62.4 people per square mile (24.1 people/km2). There were 23,738 housing units at an average density of 49.3 units per square mile (19.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.3%White, 0.5%Black orAfrican American, 0.5%Native American, 0.5%Asian, 1.6% fromother races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.8%Hispanic orLatino of any race.
As of the2000 census,[121] there were 27,961 people, 11,828 households, and 7,995 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2).[122] There were 19,587 housing units at an average density of 41 units per square mile (16 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.84% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% fromother races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.4% were ofGerman and 10.3%Belgian ancestry. A small pocket ofWalloon speakers forms the only Walloon-language region outside ofWallonia and its immediate neighbors.[123][124]
Out of a total of 11,828 households, 58.10% weremarried couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.84.[125]
For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males. 22.10% of the population was under the age of 18,[132] a decrease from 25.9% being under the age of 18 in the1990 census.[133]) Additionally, 6.10% were aged from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, and 27.70% from 45 to 64.[132]
The Jacksonport site of Stella Maris Catholic Parish, a six-point parish in the northern part of the county[134]
In 2020, there were 208 felony cases prosecuted by the county,[88] up from 195 cases in 2019 and 171 in 2018. No trials were held concerning any of the felony cases in 2020.[88] In 2019, 3 cases went to trial, down from 6 in 2018.[135]
The county has been a focus of sex-trafficking enforcement efforts.[136] From 2015 to 2020 there were no reports of sex-trafficking in the county.[137]
In 2014, the voluntaryintoxication defense in Wisconsin was repealed due to outcry following its use during a trial in Door County. Initially the trial ended with ahung jury but a retrial resulted in a conviction.[138][139]
The county has gained a reputation as a politicalbellwether, as it voted for the winning candidate in every presidential election from 1996 to 2020.President Clinton was the last candidate, before 2024, to win nationally without carrying Door County inthe 1992 presidential election.Donald Trump in the2024 election also failed to win Door County, while winning statewide and nationally.[153][154]
In2024,Kamala Harris became the first Democratic presidential nominee to win the county while losing the presidential election. Door County was one of only four counties in the state to swing towards Democrats in 2024.
United States presidential election results for Door County, Wisconsin[155]
^Gardner Swamp Wildlife Area, Mud Lake Wildlife Area, Reibolts Creek Public Access, and Schuyler Creek State Fishery Area
^Access to SNAs depends on ownership, but most are free and open to the public. Complex ownership complicates a straightforward listing of the parks, as besides the land trust, the Nature Conservancymanages five preserves in the county.
^abc"Chapter 3: Historical and Cultural Resources".Door County Comprehensive Plan 2030(PDF). Vol. II, Resource Report. Table 3.1: Timeline of Historic Events in Door County. pp. 19–20. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on January 13, 2020.
^Holand, Hjalmar Rued (1933)."Chapter VII: Belgian Characteristics and Customs"(PDF).Wisconsin's Belgian community: an account of the early events in the Belgian settlement in northeastern Wisconsin with particular reference to the Belgians in Door County. pp. 82 ff.Archived(PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. See also theTable of Contents for the entire book.
^"Fifty Cents an Acre".Door County Advocate. Vol. 76, no. 3. March 26, 1937. p. 4. Archived fromthe original on August 9, 2021. RetrievedAugust 9, 2021.
^Transportation Profile Draft(PDF). Door County Comprehensive Plan 2030 Transportation Advisory Workgroup. p. 5. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on January 13, 2020.
^Bertrand, Gerard; Lang, Jean; Ross, John (January 1976). "Section 6.1: Early History".The Green Bay Watershed: Past/Present/Future. Technical report / University of Wisconsin—Madison Sea Grant Program; no.29. University of Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program. p. 142. Technical Report #229.
^Lyttle, Bethany (September 11, 2008)."The Cape Cod of the Midwest".The New York Times.Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 25, 2008.
^Light List, Volume VII: Great LakesArchived January 31, 2022, at theWayback Machine, United States Coast Guard, 33 of the lights are listed from pages 187–191 (pages 243–247 of the pdf); 17 of them are listed from pages 195–198 (pages 251–254 of the pdf), 2022
^TheBjörklunden stave church is called Boynton Chapel and it is just south of Baileys Harbor. TheWashington Island Stavkirke is part of and adjacent to Trinity Lutheran Church on Washington Island.
^Whisked Away to Rock Island by Benson Gardner,Portal Wisconsin, 2010; the page links to a panoramic tour of the boathouse
^Door Co.(PDF) (Map). 1:100,000. Madison: Wisconsin Department of Transportation. January 2021.Archived(PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. RetrievedAugust 1, 2021.
^Anatomy of Door County: A Traffic Safety Summary(PDF). Wisconsin Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory. p. 3, fig. 1: Traffic Volume on the State Trunk Network Door County, WI; p. 15, fig. 13: Door County Fatalities and Serious Injuries (2014–2017) with Map of Hospitals.
^ab"Chapter 7: Transportation"(PDF).Door County Comprehensive Plan, 2030. Vol. II, Resource Report. October 27, 2009. p. 176, Table 7.6: Transportation Service Providers, Door County. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on April 10, 2019.
^Busch, Pam; Goode, Mariah; Kerwin, Rebecca (2020).Door County Coordinated Public Transportation Plan 2021–2024. Door County Transportation and Land Use Services Departments. Table in Appendix B: Door County Transportation Providers and Services, pp. 16–18.
^Maps of borders along county waters are available on theSelection Map atdata.census.gov
^"Robert C. Bassett". Arlington National Cemetery. Archived fromthe original on February 1, 2020.Bassett, who was born in Sturgeon Bay on March 2, 1911
^Costello, Rory."Gene Brabender". Society for American Baseball Research.
United States
Wisconsin
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Wisconsin Highway 42 (WIS 42)
Wisconsin Highway 57 (WIS 57)
