Interesting question, don’t you think? I have to say, being from Idaho originally, that I’m not really one to say one way or the other. So, to make it fair and to get an opinion from all, I open the question up for discussion.
Is Sturgeon Bay really part of Door County, Wisconsin?
I’ve been using Facebook a lot lately to meet fellow Door County lovers and actually proposed this question there. Here are a few responses I received:
While Sturgeon Bay technically IS Door County, I personally don’t think of that town when I think of Door. It’s far too commercialized and doesn’t share the same essence and overall feel of the villages further north. I suppose it’s necessary to have some sort of business district in any county, but Sturgeon Bay, to me, feels like it could be transplanted into any other water-bordering Wisconsin county — especially with a Super WalMart coming in the next few years. I’ve told people before that I think of Door as truly beginning once you pass the last stop light (the 42/57 split). - Nick F., Lake County, IL
Nick is an avid Door County Fan and has been going to Door County for years. He really appreciates the culture and heritage that the Door has to offer.
Another person I talked to, Steve who is originally from Milwaukee but now lives in Chicago, said the following in answer to our question:
I do. They are so close to each other, Even Washington Island is part of Door County in my opinion. My wife and I agree that going to Door County is like a piece of Heaven! The drive up there is so scenic.
So, a few mixed reviews. Personally, after having visited Door County now for 5 years with my wife’s family (who has gone to Door County at least 2 or 3 times per year for over 25 years), I think Sturgeon Bay is a bit commercial to really be a “Village” in Door County.
I talked to a man today who stated to me clearly, and almost with a bit of disgust, that I had “forgotten to include Sturgeon Bay in the Reviews on the Door County Website.” He insisted that Sturgeon Bay is definitely part of Door County, the map says it all.
What do you all think?
I just got back from Door County and talked to a few prominent Door County residents. I got surprising feedback. “Digger”, founder for Grill Digger’s restaurant in Fish Creek said of course Sturgeon Bay is part of the Door. Denny, General Manager of The Rushes and Little Sweden, said that it was and that it’s got so much to offer.
So, what do you think? Why, or why not?
Our website covers Door County from head to toe, and in our opinion, Sturgeon Bay, only about 16 miles south of Egg Harbor, is every bit as much a part of Door County as is Gills Rock and Rowleys Bay on the other end of the peninsula.
Sturgeon Bay offers some of the best B&B’s in the Midwest, great resorts, fine dining and causal dining, shops, all within the context of a Door County experience. The people in Sturgeon Bay are the same as the locals anywhere else on the peninsula. True, it is the largest town in Door County with about 10,000 people, and so has some things, like chain restaurants, that the rest of Door County does not have. But it is still pat of the Door County experience, and visitors should not miss it! The Door County part of the peninsula is about 50 miles or so from Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock - enjoy it all!
Dan
Great comment Dan. I just recently returned from a winter excursion in Door County and talked to more and more people who feel the same as you - Door County wouldn’t be who it is with out Sturgeon Bay.
It’s always a fun question to ask the locals and a great way to start an interesting conversation.
Thanks for the comment.
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Is Sturgeon Bay really part of Door County?, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
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