
A (Very) Brief Overview
of Local Maritime History
Door County is defined by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. These waterways are why many nomadic settlers would camp here, and they’re how the earliest permanent settlers got around and sustained life. Residents have worked as fishermen, mariners, and shipbuilders, and others worked as loggers and farmers, relying on ships to transport their wares. In the 20th century, Door County’s shipyards were producing as many as five ships a day to keep up with the military’s demand for large boats and other sea vessels.
History Quick Links
- Must-Read: DC History
- Must-Do: 72-Hour Historical Itinerary
- Must-Visit: DC Maritime Museum