Director

Annual town meetingsmade this the center for lively discussions between townand village residents which eventually led to Villageincorporation in 1964. Movies were shown duringWorld War II and into the late 40s and early 50s. Therewere teen “sock hops” in the 50s and 60s. Heat wasupgraded, but there was never plumbing. The restroomswere in the 'outhouse'. This building was used untilOctober of 1990.

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The original hall built in the
1880s burned and rebuilt
immediately by Jerry LeMere.

It was used for elections, social
gatherings and as a protestant
church before the Union
(Calvary) Church was built. 



The Old Town Hall

Welcome! History Is All Around You! Enjoy this tour of the historic and culturally significant sites within the Village of Egg Harbor.  Support the Egg Harbor Historical Society as we continue to develop new historical programs, tours and experiences. Please consider a tax deductible donation Text HistoryontheMove to 44-321 or visit http://eggharborhistory.org

In 1977 the village purchased the 1910Wilson Grocery Store and demolished itand started the first phase of the park.In 2001 the village purchased HarveyHaen's home/barber shop and closed offthe street to the village dock. The village also purchased the Robert PenceArt Gallery (was Harvey Haen's gasstation) to complete the park. The park could very well have overlooked a happening from 1825where voyaguers from Fort Howard were traveling northto Mackinac Island to trade in their furs. Lawyer HenryBaird and his wife were traveling with them andreported that when they stopped to camp overnight in theunnamed harbor the voyaguers proceeded in jest to havean egg fight, thus the harbor was named Egg Harbor.Harbor View Park is home to several festivals and freeThursday evening concerts.

"Welcome to the Village of Egg Harbor"

You can began your tour anywhere, but we
suggest at Harbor View Park which was the
Wilson Grocery Store, Harvey Haen's Mobil Gas
Station, barber shop and home! 

Door County was created in 1851. The Town of Egg Harbor was formed in 1861. 
In 1964 the Village of Egg Harbor was established.

Harbor View Park

In 1912, when John Bertschinger purchasedthe Eames’ house and drug store which was locatedacross the street, Dr. Eames moved his drug storefixtures and merchandise into this building until he soldthe building to George Colomb in 1917. The post office was housed here in Colomb’s home for a time. Other owners throughout the years were Meyer, Oscar Kohlmann, LeeAdams, Helen Olson, Brown, Smits, Cheryl Crowe, andFitzgerald. In addition to living quarters, businesseshave included a meat market, beauty shop operated byEldon Robertoy, a restaurant, gift shops and bakery.Today it is a gallery.

The property was sold to Dr. H.F.
Eames by Fred and Annie Hanson
in 1902. Dr. Eames would use the
building as a general store, selling
wallpaper, paint and more



 Fred Hanson's Home and Store | Dr. Eames General Store and more

What’s a cupola?

&nbsp;At its most basic level, a cupola is “a small
dome or structure adorning a roof or ceiling.” Often, these constructions
showed status.

&nbsp;However, Levi Thorp was not interested in
constructing just any run-of-the-mill cupola. He ensured that the one atop his
home included a widow’s walk as well.

&nbsp;What’s a widow’s
walk?

A widow’s walk is a railed or balustrated
platform built on a roof, which were very popular in Early new England houses.
Widow’s walks were typically used to provide an unimpaired view of a large body
of water.

&nbsp;Levi thorp was a sailor himself. He would
often stroll his widow’s walk and gaze out on the water, searching for storm
clouds or ships in need of assistance. The widow’s walk at the cupola house was
in use well into the 20th century and remains in place to this day.

&nbsp;

Building Backstory: This house was built by Levi Thorp, one of the earliest settlers in the Egg Harbor area, and reflects the position this early merchant had in the county. 

&nbsp;Egg
harbor in the mid-1800s was desolate. Settlers were greeted with thick hardwood
forests, often with little more than a dirt path to navigate the terrain. This
meant that those who survived in the seclusion of the upper Door peninsula had
to be tough and adventurous.

&nbsp;Fortunately,
Levi Thorp and his brothers were just the tenacious and
hard-working pioneers Egg Harbor needed.

&nbsp;Levi made money in the California gold rush of 1849, and quickly bought 1,600
acres in Egg Harbor in order to harvest and sell the area’s abundant timber. This house was paid for with gold dust he brought from California in a chamois money belt after the gold rush . He was particularly careful in the selection of wood for his new home and found knots unacceptable and, as renovation has revealed, he was most successful in avoiding them. In
1871 the cupola house was completed, using both the virgin timber from the area
and money Levi had saved while prospecting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;The
cupola house quickly gained a reputation as the nicest home in Egg harbor, and
was established as a popular gathering place for many in the community. Lavish
parties were held within its walls, and Levi used it as a base to conduct his
business operations.&nbsp;The floors are white pine brought across the frozen waters of Green Bay from Menominee with the other lumber needed for this beautiful project. A staircase rises through the center of the house and is graced by banister and newel post of butternut.The central hall surrounding this staircase has fine examples of early wallpaper and wood grain painted woodwork and doors. This house is, and will remain, an exquisite example of early Wisconsin design and craftsmanship. The renovation and preservation of this historic house was supervised by its new owners, Richard and Gloria Hansen.

&nbsp;Though
the home has changed owners multiple times and has experienced many physical
transformations, it remains a beacon of Egg Harbor history and culture, and continues
to offer interesting stories and experiences for current visitors.

 

&nbsp;

WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SO COOL?

Built in 1871, the Cupola House is a stately example of Gothic revival style architecture.
Known for the iconic cupola adorning its roof, Levi Thorp built this historic home from money he earned during the famous California gold rush of 1849.

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin in association with the U.S. Department of the Interior placed Cupola House in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, on the National Register of Historic Sites in July of 1979. This magnificent house richly deserves this designation.

WHAT IS THE CUPOLA HOUSE TODAY?
The cupola house was purchased in 1980 by Gloria and Richard Hansen and was converted into an art gallery and gift shop. Opened to the public for the first time in its history in June of 1982, the Cupola House has continuity of quality and friendship – similar to Levi Thorp’s expectation for this house.


The Cupola House

Who was Dr. Eames?

&nbsp;Dr.
Horace Frank Eames arrived in Egg Harbor from Quebec, Canada with his family in
the late 1870s. After going away to school to receive both his teaching and
medical degrees, Eames returned and became one of the most influential citizens
of Egg Harbor.

Remembered
by many as the first “scientifically minded” doctor, Eames was an avid
subscriber to medical journals and kept his practice in meticulous order.
Because of his tireless efforts to expand his personal knowledge, Dr. Eames was
elected multiple times to serve as the president of the Door County Medical
Society. He was dedicated to the community he served, and could often be seen
in his horse and buggy visiting patients throughout the countryside, even in
the dead of winter.

&nbsp;Additionally,
Dr. Eames was one of the most productive and well-respected farmers in the
state, owned and operated a general store and commercial dock in town, and
served in many leadership roles within the community including president of the
Door County Telephone Company. Dr. Eames continued his good work in the
community until his death in 1937.

&nbsp;The
Eames family was well-known and respected in Egg Harbor; the doctor’s
descendants continue to live in the area to this day. View artifacts from Dr. Eames medical practice at the History Center in the Kress Pavillion and Library.

&nbsp;

Now a Private Residence

WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SO COOL?
Once the home and medical practice of Dr. H.F. Eames

Dr. H.F. Eames was one of Egg Harbor’s most influential doctors, farmers, and property owners in the 1880s. His home “La Vista” saw nearly every citizen of Egg Harbor pass between its walls to receive treatment or companionship from Dr. Eames and his family.

Building Backstory:
La Vista was built in 1907 on the ridge east of the village as his home for his dairy farms and orchards. The house stood for many years as a base for Eames’s medical work, farming, and business ventures. La Vista, like Thorp’s Cupola house, became a popular spot for dances and gatherings, and was one of the most recognizable homes in the area.

In 1993, the home was moved to its present location by Gloria and Richard Hansen of the Cupola House. 




"La Vista" Historic Home of Dr Eames - now private residence

I n 1 9 11 Th e o d o r e
Baraboo built a hardware
store on land he acquired
from H.F. and Emma
Eames for $200.

Francis Bo g e n s c h u t z , 
Myles LeRoy, Gordon Nelson
and Herman Reuters
continued to operate the
hardware store until 1965.
The Engersons sold to John and Jessie Burkhardt in
1972 for an antique shop. In 1989, Kathleen Navis
purchased the property

Theodore Baraboo's Hardware

While not historic YET... the Kress Pavilion opened in 2018 and houses our new History Center on the first floor where the Egg Harbor Historical Society "Prepares,. Preserves and Presents" Egg Harbor (and countywide) history. We welcome you to visit as part of your tour or anytime.

Small group programs, artifacts and research space is presented in the History Center. Large group programs meet in the "Great Hall" on the second floor. The second floor deck provides a grand surrounding view pf the bay to the west, the village to the south and the orchard to the east. 



Egg Harbor History Center within the Kress Pavilion

After owning the Harbor
Inn with her husband
'Jack' from 1912 to when
he died in 1931, Phoebe
built the store and living
quarters on land purchased from Charles
and Ethel Cady in 1938.

Phoebe had the only soda fountain in the village. 

The store was later owned by
Earl and Louise Albrecht from 1948-59, and Elva and
Henry Gilson from 1959-83. Amongst other wares over
the years, the store most recently sold edible delights. 

Today it is Door County Massage

1938 Phoebe Carmody's Variety Store

Truman Thorp's home
was built in 1895.
Truman was the son of
Levi Thorp a founder of
Egg Harbor. Other
owners have been C.A.
Speaker, E. Gagnon,
and Otto Woldt who
had a meat market in
the home in 1921.
Francis Bogenschutz had an electrician shop in the 40s
and 50s. The building also housed a sport shop.
Restaurants and gift shops have been recent businesses.
Roy and Teri Bak purchased the building from a
seasonal resident and remodeled it into the Parador.
Larry and Rebecca Majewski now run the Parador. The
original property was issued and registered by U.S.
President James Buchanan on Dec.28, 1859.

Truman Thorp's home

<h3>Building backstory</h3><h3>Built around 1880 by Mitchel LaPlant and his half-brother Anthony, the building began as an inn of sorts, aptly named The LaPlant House. </h3><h3></h3><h3>Levi Baraboo purchased it in 1889. The LaPlant House was destroyed by fire in 1898, Levi immediately rebuilt and it was named the Concord Hotel. Levi's son Theodore took over in 1907 and sold to Arthur Parent in 1911 for $8,000. </h3><h3></h3><h3>Numerous proprietors ran the Concord after Parent. </h3><h3>Paddy Grey was known for his Irish Setter dog and race horse 'Goldie May'. Murphy Moore named it The White House. It was later operated by Sylvester Thiel and Ken Herbst. Ken added a barber shop. Bob Delain and Wendell Vandertie also barbered there. Bob and Jean Sawyer named it the Midtown Tap. Tony and Sharon Demarinis named it Old Stage Station. Rick and Pam Grant had it for 15 years. It is now owned by Kim Jensen.</h3>List of Previous ownersMichael and Anthony LaPlantLevi BarabooTheodore BarabooArthur ParentPaddy GreyMurphy MooreSylvester Thiel and Ken HerbstBob Delain and Wendell VandertieBob and Jean SawyerTony and Sharon Demarinis Rick and Pam Grant

Though the bright flowers on the exterior give away its purpose as a Mexican restaurant, 
This building was in fact a hotel for over 100 years. At multiple points it even included a barber shop!






The LaPlant House | The Concord Motel

Charlie Birnschein opened his
garage in 1919 and operated it
until 1927 when his brother
Herman bought him out. 

The garage burned in 1947,
Herman rebuilt and along with
his gas station across the highway he continued the
garage and gas station businesses until selling in 1965.

1919 Charlie Birnschein's Garage

Worachek's Meats and Sausage
Co. announced it's opening in
1934. It was constructed of
stone cement blocks with decorative
glacier 'hard head' stones
on the front. An attached smoke
house is still located in the back.
It later served as a Blacksmith shop and hardware store.

Joe Worachek's Meat Market

It was Door County's
largest resort, built by
brothers Paul and John
Bertschinger. It opened in
1922 with a main lodge, 20
cottages, and several service buildings that were
expanded upon over the years. Some of the firsts at that
time were indoor plumbing. Refrigeration was by means
of an ice house with ice harvested from the bay during
winter months. A 9 hole golf course was purchased in
1926 and additional 9's were added in 1948, 1976, and
2002.

Alpine Resort and Golf Course

Built in 1931 with the
exterior stone coming
f r o m t h e b a s e m e n t
excavation. Believed to
have had the first boiler
and hot water system in
the village. Paul, with his
brother John, built the
Alpine Resort in 1922.

Paul Bertschinger's home

In 1938, August “Casey” and LeliaLautenbach purchased the tavernand changed the dance hall to 4rental rooms at $2/night. Casey'ssons, Donald and Lester continuedoperation until 1987. Bob Mansonpurchased it and sold to MattPeterson in 2008, it has been“Casey's” since 1938. Bob Hopewas a patron of note.

Built by Antone Rushford about 1870, then
purchased by Gideon (Jerry) LeMieux (Le- M e r e ) i n 1 8 8 9 .
(Gideon changed his name to Jerry LeMere)

The tavern was destroyed by fire in 1897 and Jerry
rebuilt it with his sons Phillip, Jerry and Frank. It
became known as Uncle Jerry's place where dances and
socials were held in the dance hall on the second floor.



Uncle Jerry's

The first recorded burial in the
cemetery was that of little one
year old Eli Baker in 1861.



Town and Village Cemetery

Built by Ed Kabat in 1938 of
'hard head' stones collected
in the area. The stones were
dropped by the ice age glacier.

Ed Kabat's Home | Now a Private Residence

Built in 1926 by Adolph
Polzien as his home from logs
salvaged from a granary
building in Fish Creek.

Adolph Polzien's Home

Note: for enjoyment there is a walking path along ‘SouthTrail’ from Chief Oshkosh west to the beach and back into thevillage. On the path’s head above the beach there is a rest areawith several pieces of sculpture to enjoy..

Roy became chief of the
Menominee Indians in 1932
upon the death of his father,
Chief Reginald. 

Roy was a graduate of Carlisle College
with an engineering degree and was recruited to work
the ship yards in Sturgeon Bay during World War II.
After the war he and his wife, Princess Ruth built his
trading post in Egg Harbor in 1945. Roy and Ruth are
buried in the cemetery across the highway

Chief Roy Oshkosh Trading Post

LaRouche constructed the
building in 1885. Lester Olson
rented it until Marvin Trodahl
purchased it and opened as an
IGA Store. The post office
was in the north end of the
store. Marvin built a small
building to the north for the post office in 1954. After
Marvin sold in the 60s, others who did business there
were: Frank Schneider, Gene and Helen Standard, Art
Witalison, Ed Pils, and now Shawn and Karen Peterson.

Charles LaRouche General Store

Built by Philip LeMere in
1923. The fine stonework on
the front was completed in
1935 as a lower section of an
open front porch. The stones
were gathered from beaches
as far away as Sister Bay.
The designs were formed flat
on the ground and when fully cured they were stood up
in place and supported with a cement cap and corner
posts. Philip's daughter, Celestia Moegenburg, passed
away in 1989 and the home was sold to Tony Demarinis
who enclosed the porch and reconstructed the original
stone work.

Philip LeMere's home

It was sold to Robert Costa in 1976and then to Robert Serge andNancy Goodman in 1984. In 1993 Kathleen (Gleason) Mand Beck purchased the historic log home. Siding and wall materials were removed to expose the original logstructure. She made it into the Dovetail Gallery, namedfor the dovetail log construction. It’s now Ginnie’s Cappaert’s. A log in one of the walls is supposed to havebeen salvaged from the 1871 Peshtigo Fire, the mostdevastating fire in U.S. History. Peshtigo is located 18miles directly across the bay. The fire consumed 1.5million acres of forest and over 2500 lives.

In 1910 H.F. Eames built the
log home on land that was
part of his estate. It was later
sold to August Paschke in
1942 and remained in their
family for 34 years.

August Paschke's home

The log structure has since beensided over. The wrap-around porch was added as a giftfrom William Manney to his wife Anna. Dances wereoften held in the big dining room. The homestead wasfarmed, it went from 'Wood Orchard Market' to theEames Farm hill, down to the bay. It was gradually soldoff. Mrs. Rose Manney Wilson later owned the house,she sold it in 1967. The Browning family now owns theproperty.

The land grant for the property   was assigned by
President James Buchanan in 1857.

The Manney house was built in 1874 as a log structure

The Home of William Manney | Now a Private Residence

Mrs. Anna Manney gave the
land to build the church in
1912. According to the deed
it was established under the
name of Egg Harbor Union
Society. The church was
started in 1912 and opened
for services in 1924 as
Calvary, World War I had
held up the construction. In 1963 the congregation
broke ground for a new United Methodist Church
located around the corner on Cty. E. Old Calvary is now
a chapel used just occasionally.

Calvary Methodist Chapel | Formerly the Evangelical Church

Art Parent dealt in farm implements at the site from1916-1920s. Myles &amp; Ceil LeRoy ran the saloondancehall as 'Forest Gardens'. Myles bootleggedfrom the basement during prohibition. GuyCromell and Elroy MacCampbell were also involved.Carl Demmin operated it as the 'Farmer's Inn’ -1945-1947. August Anschutz ran 'Augie's' -1947-56. Clarence Tracy ran 'Tracy's Tap' - 1956-63. Frank Hoffman ran the business asGeorge's Anchor Inn - 1963-1970s. Headquarteredat the Inn, in 1969 he raised the 'Mystery Ship' offof Chambers Island. Nicholas Zivalich ran it as the'3-C's'. Later, Carol Tanck leased the '3 C's 'fromZivalich. In the mid-1990s Don Swanson addedthe wings to the building. In late 2006 Richard &amp;Pamela Wegner remodeled as Liberty Square. In 2019 Blake &amp; Lauren Schar moved their supperclub business from Ellison Bay to the site.

Late 1800s Michel Shack
operated a saloon and
bowling alley on the site, it
burned in 1897. 

Jerry LeMere built 'Welcome Inn'
here in 1908.

Once the 'Welcome Inn' and much more!

Tom built his home in 1905. 
He was best known for his road
building abilities. He was also
the Door County Highway
Commissioner which may have
been the reason the road through
the village was one of the first
paved in Door County.

Formerly the home of Tom Carmody

The station was built by Norman
(Bud) Kabat in 1949. Herman
Forey laid the blocks and Bittorfs
did the carpentry. Several people
ran the station after Kabat,
namely; Lloyd Logerquist, Appel,
Clark, August and Roger Paschke, Ranney &
Roggenkamp, Strege and Feldt. In recent years its
housed numerous shops. It has been restored to the Shell
motif in 2021

Was Norman Kabats Shell Gas Station in 1949

The church was dedicated on
October 5, 1910 and the bell
tower was finished a year later.

Land was donated by Charles
and Delia LaRouche. It is
believed it cost $2000 to build.
Families pledged either labor or
$100 to build the church. The adjoining Rectory was
completed in 1918. Renovation of the church interior
was done in 1973 to implement Vatican II changes and
redecorating was again done in 1992. The shrine in
honor of the Blessed Mother was donated by Felix and
Julie Milfeld in 1964. The church is now of the Stella
Maris Parish which includes northern Door County
Catholic Churches.

Egg Harbor Walking Tour | by the Egg Harbor Historical Society

The Old Town Hall

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Additional Information