It’s that time of year when you want to give something special to show how much you care.  I have a friend who is always telling me, “I don’t need anything”!  I believe after this year, everyone needs time off to escape.  What better way to escape than a trip to Door County in 2021!

I would highly recommend giving a gift certificate to our lodge.  Set high atop the escarpment overlooking the bay of Green Bay, it’s a perfect place for relaxation.    

Picture this, sitting in an Adirondack chair overlooking the bay watching the sunset on a perfect summer day.  We can make that dream happen during your visit!

Have a great holiday season.  We hope to see you in 2021!

Sarah, Mark and staff

Posted by:  Jill

A special thank you to all of our guests this season.  The lodge is closing on October 27 and will reopen on May 1.  We are looking forward to seeing you in 2021!

Sarah, Mark and Staff 

It’s raining, what do you do on a rainy day in Door County?  There are many things to do, but one suggestion would be to go bowling.  When’s the last time you bowled?  We have two bowling alleys in northern Door. 

If you want automatic scoring, then head to Sturgeon Bay to Apple Valley Lanes.  Apple Valley Lanes has 12 lanes for your enjoyment.

1217 N. 14th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay

If you want to go back in time and keep score on your own, check out the Sister Bay Bowl in Sister Bay.  The Willems Family has owned the building since 1950.  The lanes were originally a dance hall turned into a bowling alley in 1958.  The Sister Bay Bowl has six lanes. 

10640 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay

Courtesy:  doorcountypulse.com

Did you know that bowling traces its ancestry to 3200 BC?  In 1930’s, a British anthropologist discovered a collection of objects in a child’s grave in Egypt that appeared to him to be used as a crude form of bowling. 

Bowling came to America by British, German and Dutch settlers as early as 1670.  The first indoor bowling alley opened in New York City in January of 1840.  Today, there are more than 5,000 bowling alleys throughout the country with two of them in northern Door.

Have fun bowling!

Posted by:  Jill

If you don’t believe in ghosts, lets see if your opinion changes after reading some experiences that have occurred over the years in Door County. 

Our haunted tour starts in Egg Harbor with the infamous SHIPWRECK BREW PUB right in the heart of the village. 

The original building was more than 100 years old, but unfortunately burned a few years ago.  Could it still be haunted, you’ll have to check it out when you visit Egg Harbor!  Do you remember Al Capone, the Chicago gangster?  Al would hide out in Egg Harbor from time-to-time at the Shipwreck.  Supposedly, the ghost that haunts the Shipwreck is Al Capone’s illegitimate son, Jason.  Jason was found hanging in the attic of the original Shipwreck, killed supposedly for fear that he would inform the police on the whereabouts of his father.  

Many claimed to see his ghost over the years.  One sighting from a man outside, said it looked like a child on the roof.  The police were called and nothing was found on the roof.  

The fire that destroyed the original Shipwreck is believed to have started in one of the bedrooms.  Could that have been Jason’s room?   Are you starting to believe?

Courtesy:  wisconsinhauntedhouses.com

Our next stop, is in the center of Fish Creek.  The ALEXANDER NOBLE HOUSE was rebuilt in 1875, after replacing the family home that was also destroyed by a fire.  Could there be a pattern with our ghosts?

Rumor has it, Emily, Noble’s first wife makes her presence known throughout the house.  One documented picture, and other pictures are of the same image of a woman and her child.  The weird thing, professional photographers have mentioned that their cameras fail to work on the second floor of the Noble House, but work when they leave the house.  Are you believing a little more?

Courtesy:  visitfishcreek.com

Courtesy:  wikipedia.org

It’s not too surprising the lighthouses seem to have stories of ghosts too.  Think about it, sometimes lighthouses become abandoned buildings that seem to be neglected over the years.  My next story begins in 1976 in the town of Gibraltar.   The Coast Guard deeded one of these neglected properties to the town of Gibraltar.  The town of Gibraltar wanted to protect the lighthouse so they hired former Coast Guard boat captain Joel Blahnik and his wife Mary as caretakers to work to save the building.  It had been in decline for 20 years! 

The first night that Blahnik and his son stayed in the lighthouse strange things began to happen.  Father and son worked on the lighthouse during the day and decided to settle into their sleeping bags in the first floor bedroom.  All of a sudden Blahnik woke up to see someone climbing down the steps from the upstairs lantern room.  Are you now starting to believe in ghosts now?  The weird thing, his son who was still sleeping were the only people on the island!  Blahnik said the footsteps were clearly human, and he listened as the footsteps went down the hall, passing through the living room and into the kitchen.  The footsteps headed towards the door, and the next thing he heard was the door click shut.  I’m pretty sure I’m now a believer in ghosts!

The ghost always seemed to appear on the first night Blahnik would return in the spring to open the lighthouse.  He would always hear the footsteps walking through the empty building.  He also said that his tools would disappear or move and end up in unusual places.  Blahnik said that the ghost always seemed friendly.  He always thought it was the ghost of the original lighthouse keeper, Lewis Williams. 

Then you have a Sturgeon Bay couple that said their ghost is so real, he is now part of their family.  Their home sits about a block off the canal on Eighth Avenue.  They moved from Los Angeles to Sturgeon Bay in 1994.  Shortly after moving in, they opened a door and saw a man coming up from the basement.  He looked like a Native American from back in the 1700s.   The couple has felt his presence many times.  In fact, even having someone tape you on the head as you watch TV.  They gave the ghost the name “Black Bear”.  The couple believe “Black Bear” is a ghost to a doctor who lived in the home years ago.  The doctor found a Native American frozen on the canal one night in the winter.  They think the Native American’s spirit came home with him.

The family that lived in the house prior experience “Black Bear” too.  Their little boy said he saw a ghost going from the basement to the attic.

“Black Bear” gets a little loud from time-to-time.  When it happens, the family just shouts out to go back to the basement and the noise generally stops.   

Posted by:  Jill

As you enter Egg Harbor, you will find a charming village along the bay of Green Bay.  Some of the buildings date back many years, while some are fairly new.  I enjoy history and thought it might be interesting to learn more about the buildings and land from times gone by that still remain in the village.

THE ALPINE RESORT AND GOLF COURSE

7715 Alpine Road

I was surprised to learn that Paul and John Bertschinger built the largest resort in Door County, “The Alpine Resort”.  Fred Bertschinger designed the buildings.  They opened the resort in June of 1922.  The resort had 20 cottages with indoor plumbing a luxury at the time.  The ice from the harbor provided refrigeration, cut in the winter and stored in an ice house for the summer.  1n 1925, electricity arrived, but prior The Alpine produced its own with a large motor that powered a 30-watt bulb. 

The dirt roads made traveling to Door County challenging.  Many guests would take a steamship or train to Sturgeon bay.   The Alpine provided guests with the American Plan, which their weekly rate included three meals a day at set times.  They provided many activities for kids and adults.  The resort has since closed and is for sale.  We hope someone buys it and brings it back to life!

Courtesy:  Alpine Resort

Orin Glidden developed a 9-hole golf course adjacent to the Alpine Resort and called it the Alpine Golf Course.   It was expanded in 1948, 1976 and 2002.  Another fun activity for Alpine’s guests.  The golf course is closed and is also up for sale.

Courtesy:  Alpine Resort

HORSESHOE BAY AND FARMS

7212 Horseshoe Bay Road

I was surprised to learn that Horseshoe Bay Farms was an early site of a Settlement from 1870-1890 called Horseshoe Bay and/or Cooperstown.  Egg Harbor at that time wasn’t much more than a fishing hamlet.  The Horseshoe Bay Settlement had a school, general store, post office and 40 settlers.  In 1870, Andrew Andersen built a pier south of Murphy Park.  He built a sawmill, blacksmith shop and a coopers shop which made barrels.  The coopers sold their barrels to local fisherman, which were shipped to larger cities in the Midwest.  That’s how Horseshoe Bay also became known as Cooperstown.  The community existed until 1890.

In 1917, Frank Murphy purchased the land to develop a dairy farm, orchard, park and housing.  His White Holstein herds were famous nationally for years.  Did you know that Horseshoe Bay was never suppose to be a farm?  I was surprised to learn the vision was for a resort community.  They intended to build a hotel and make 50′ lots.  Plans shifted to building a clubhouse and an elite golf course.  The Club House was built, but never went anywhere.  The United Fruit Growers who were part owners of the land, sold their share to Elbridge and Frank Murphy who named it Murphy Farms and the rest is history.  Glenn Timmerman who now owns the property is planning to restore it as a historic site.

Courtesy:  Egg Harbor Historical Society

 The beautiful structure is a place you will see bridal parties taking pictures.

 Courtesy:  Pinterest.com

FRANK MURPHY COUNTY PARK

7119 Horseshoe Bay Road

In 1935 Frank Murphy donated this park to the County of Door. The beach has been the scene of many summer gatherings.  The park is a popular rest stop for three Door County century bike rides, the Peninsula Century Fall Challenge, the Door County Century Ride, and the Spring Classic.

Courtesy:  co.door.gov.org

CHIEF OSHKOSH TRADING POST

7631 Hwy 42

This log cabin which still stands today is one of Door County’s great ambassadors.  In 1939, Chief Roy Oshkosh came Door County.   He built his Indian Trading Post on the campsite of his ancestors.    

Chief Oshkosh was well-known throughout the state for his pageants, his work with Boy Scouts, and as an honorary member of the Order of the Arrow, the first Indian in the U.S. to receive the honor.

Oshkosh became chief of the Menominee Indians after his father’s death in 1932.

Courtesy:  Egg Harbor Historical Society 

Hwy. 42 in the Village of Egg Harbor

Jerry LeMere’s saloon and dance hall was located where Casey ‘s BBQ & Smokehouse now stands.  The LeMere’s came from Canada and purchased the land in 1865.   A lot of good times have been enjoyed at this saloon. 

MOJO ROSA’S

Hwy. 42 in the Village of Egg Harbor

Another early business in Egg Harbor was a saloon-hotel built by Canadian Antone La Plant.  The building burned, and was rebuilt as a stagecoach stop called the Concord Hotel.  Today it is is a pub/restaurant called Mojo Rosa’s.

Courtesy:  Door County Plus

BIRNSCHEIN’S GAS STATION (MUELLER’S BP)

Highway 42 in the Village of Egg Harbor

In 1931, Herman Birnschein built his service station and Chevrolet showroom and repaired vehicles.  In 1965, he sold the business to Harry Nell.  Bob Mueller bought the business in 1967.  It was a Texaco station, but they switched it to Standard Oil.  Today Standard Oil/Amoco was absorbed by British Petroleum which it remains today.

EGG HARBOR TOWN HALL (PATRICIA’S SHOPPE)

Hwy. 42 on the southside of the Village of Egg Harbor

The original building was built in the 1880s to house the Egg Harbor Town Hall.  It was the site of town elections and public gatherings, including a Saturday afternoon movie showing.  After 100 years it’s doors closed as a government building.  The building then became home to the Towne Dresser, an antique shop.  In 2005, it was renovated and is now Patricia’s Shoppe.

 Courtesy:  Patricia’s Shoppe

Egg Harbor is one special place!

Posted by:  Jill