Liberty Grove in Ellison Bay in Door County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hamburger Stand
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 10, 2024
1. Hamburger Stand Marker
Donor: Annette Wickman and her family in memory of her cousin Gordon Nelson
Built by Harry Voight, this building was Gordon Nelson's first business adventure in the early 1940s. Later he became the owner and operator of Nelson's Shopping Center in Baileys Harbor.
Note the food prices! Gordon said he could make 10 hamburgers out of 1 pound of meat!!
Many people drove down the winding road to sightsee, fish from the dock and enjoy treats from Gordon's Food Stand.
Erected by Liberty Grove Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Food & Drink • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 45° 14.819′ N, 87° 5.119′ W. Marker is in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, in Door County. It is in Liberty Grove. It can be reached from State Highway 42 0.1 miles south of Humbug Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds on the Liberty Grove Historical Society. It's on the rear side of the hamburger stand it mentions, which is to the immediate southwest of the barn
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Door Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sleigh (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Grove Circle of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial / Circle of Honor / Heritage Walkway (within shouting distance of this marker); Rowleys Bay Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Corn Crib (within shouting distance of this marker); Platform Swing (within shouting distance of this marker); Outhouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bead Breaker and Tire Changer (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 9, 2024
2. Hamburger Stand
The marker describing the stand can be seen on the building's right side.
Also see . . .
1. The hidden history of the Nelson’s hardware property. From the Peninsula Pulse, a history of the hardware store operated by Gordon Nelson in Baileys Harbor, a Lake Michigan town about 14 miles south of the Liberty Grove Historical Society. The Town of Baileys Harbor acquired the hardware store property from the Nelson family in 2021. (Submitted on August 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Liberty Grove Historical Society official site. (Submitted on August 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
This sign appears to be laminated paper that is screwed into a post. The profile would likely not be published today, but will remain published for posterity.
— Submitted September 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 9, 2024
3. Hamburger Stand prices
As referenced on the marker, the prices on the hamburger stand are reminders of a time long ago. Drinks and ice cream treats cost a nickel, and hot dogs and hamburgers cost a dime.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on September 26, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
