History
Origin of City's NameThe town was given the name Sturgeon Bay because the sturgeon fish were plentiful there. Also the bay was thought to be shaped like a sturgeon.
Historical PhotosFamous People from Sturgeon BayRandy Wright
Was a professional American League football quarterback who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1984-1988. Pat MacDonald
A professional musician and songwriter, Pat MacDonald is most famous as singer, guitarist and songwriter for the band Timbuk 3. The song they are best known for is "The Future's So Bright I Gotta' Wear Shades". Robert C. Basset -
was born in Sturgeon Bay in 1911. After going to the University of Wisconsin Madison he attended Harvard Law School. After retiring from World War II as a Lieutenant Commander he became publisher of the Milwaukee Sentinel and vice president of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. In 1952 Harry S. Truman appointed Bassett to the Wage Stabilization Board and later he was appointed by Richard Nixon to the Pay Board of the United States Chamber of Commerce in 1971. Timothy S. Sullivan - a Rear Admiral in the United States Coast Guard, also serves as the Senior Military Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security. He was also the operational advisor to the Secretary during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
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Historical EventsThe city of Strugeon Bay was first settled in 1850. At that time there were 200 people and three saw mills. Originally it was a settlement for the Great Lakes Native American tribes.
In the 1600s, the peninsula saw French explorers such as Jean Nicolet and Father Marquette pass through. Robert de LaSalle's ship Griffin, loaded with valuable furs, disappeared in the Great Lakes on its way back east in 1679. The British claimed the territory from the French and the United States claimed it from the British in 1783. Under the control of the United States government, the peninsula was first designated part of the Northwest Territory. In 1848, when Wisconsin became a state, the peninsula was designated part of Brown County. Historical SitesDoor Maritime Museum -
This museum has a gallery of scale model boats and ships built in Sturgeon Bay. Bradley Crandall Sawmill - The sawmill lead to the founding of the town in 1853. Steam Barge Joy - The Steam Barge Joy was constructed in 1884 at the Milwaukee Ship Yard Company. The vessel hauled lumber, iron and stone through the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. Unfortunately on Dec. 23, 1898 while at anchor , a fire broke out and the vessel sank. It rests 150 yards off shore.
Sturgeon Bay Bridge -
The Sturgeon Bay Bridge is a historic bridge in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The bridge was built in 1929 and opened July 4, 1931 with a grand parade. Later it was officially dedicated as a Door County Veterans Memorial. Plaques at either end of the bridge read, "To honor those who gave of themselves, to their country, in times of need" as a gift by the State of Wisconsin. |