Hotel Washington’s Early Days

By Jeannie Kokes

During hot summer months in the early 1900’s, people with resources escaped the oppressive heat of Midwest cites by traveling on one of the Goodrich steamships up the coast of Lake Michigan to Door County. Some adventurous families continued on across Death’s Door passage disembarking at Washington Harbor. Wickman Livery transported them by buggy to one of the popular resorts or boarding houses on the island. In 1905, Ben Johnson added his name to these early enterprising entrepreneurs who offered food and lodging by the week to visitors. Ben was born in Iceland in 1875 and as a boy of 12 came with his family to the United States. Within a few years, Ben was working as a porter and cook on ships sailing on the Great Lakes. Time in port proved to be fortunate for Ben as he courted and married in 1900 a local favorite, Effie Gislason. Her father, John Gislason, owned a popular country store in the area of the island known as Jensenville.

Soon Gislason was constructing a series of cottages along the lake in Detroit Harbor. A grand plan emerged as Ben and Effie had Louis Gunnlaugsson, a local carpenter, build a hotel across the street from those cottages. Construction began in 1904 and Louis celebrated his wedding the next year at the hotel. A cedar pole tower was built in the back yard. On top was placed a metal tank constructed in Sturgeon Bay. Water was drawn up to the tank by hose from Detroit Harbor and then taken by pitchers to the sleeping rooms. As a popular location for weddings, special events and Sunday ice cream socials, guests could receive room and board for $4 a day:

Excellent table, plain wholesome home cooking at its best Rates reasonable, Local and Long Distance phones local Door County historians as they explore the importance of Indigenous storytelling. Come learn about prominent native figures in Door County’s history, and discover firsthand the vibrant living cultures of the region’s tribal groups. Light refreshments available for a small donation.

On June 21 for History Days, another unique historic building on the island will again be open for viewing. Jens Jacobsen, a popular island resident came from Denmark as a young man. He built log cabin vacation homes near Little Lake in the 1930’s. When newly constructed, the cabins were a step above camping providing shelter but no running water or electricity. He built the Jacobsen Museum in 1931 to hold his collection of crafts and Native American artifacts. His family gifted the museum to Washington Island for all to enjoy.

Sharing Under the Family Tree

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Door County Library Jane Greene

Room

107 S 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay

Join Steven Rice from the Door County Historical Museum to learn about sharing your family stories. Bring a member of your family from every generation to put together a family tree craft and share the stories that make your family unique.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Waffle Breakfast

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

1255 County Highway DK, Brussels

Enjoy this traditional Belgian breakfast which includes homemade waffles, scrambled eggs, Belgian trippe, and a beverage. Adults $12, Kids $7 (three and under free)

Pottawatomie Lighthouse Museum

Guided Tours

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pottawatomie Lighthouse

Rock Island State Park

Join Friends of Rock Island State Park docents for a guided tour of the historic Pottawatomie lighthouse tower and keeper’s quarters.