Near Sturgeon Bay in Door County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Door County's Stone Fleet

— Wisconsin's Maritime Trails —

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

1. Door County's Stone Fleet Marker

Inscription.

Door County's Stone Fleet. . Behind you, Government Bluff rises 150 feet above the waters of Sturgeon Bay. It was here that Door County’s first industry began in 1834 , a limestone quarry. Originally intended for a military fort that was never constructed, the stone was later used by the federal government to construct piers and harbors around Lake Michigan. After the government closed the quarry, it was reopened in the early 1880s by Frank Hogan. Hogan was only a squatter on the property, however, and was driven off it. He later started the Green Stone Company in Sawyer (now part of the city of Sturgeon Bay). , With its limestone bluffs so close to water, Sturgeon Bay was an ideal location for this business. By 1898, four quarries operated here: Leathern and Smith, the Green Stone Company, the Laurie Stone Company, and the Termensen and Jensen Stone Company. Quarried stone was loaded onto ships moored nearby and economically carried to ports around Lake Michigan. By 1917 the breakwaters and piers of almost every harbor around Lake Michigan had been constructed in part with Sturgeon Bay limestone. , Looking across the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, you can see the massive footprint of the former Leathern and Smith quarry. Many of the quarry docks remain visible today. The remains of several ships from the stone fleet lie on the bottom of the bay near the piers. , logos of: Wisconsin Historical Society, Sea Grant · University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin State Park System, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources , , Title to Wisconsin's submerged archaeological sites is held in the public trust by the State of Wisconsin. As steward of these unique historical and recreational resources, the Wisconsin Historical Society encourages responsible visitation of these sites. Please leave these sites intact for future generations to enjoy. Wisconsin law prohibits unauthorized disturbance or removal of artifacts or structure. , , www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org , www.maritimetrails.org. . This historical marker was erected by the Wisconsin Historical Society's Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program.. It is Near Sturgeon Bay in Door County Wisconsin

Behind you, Government Bluff rises 150 feet above the waters of Sturgeon Bay. It was here that Door County’s first industry began in 1834 — a limestone quarry. Originally intended for a military fort that was never constructed, the stone was later used by the federal government to construct piers and harbors around Lake Michigan. After the government closed the quarry, it was reopened in the early 1880s by Frank Hogan. Hogan was only a squatter on the property, however, and was driven off it. He later started the Green Stone Company in Sawyer (now part of the city of Sturgeon Bay).

With its limestone bluffs so close to water, Sturgeon Bay was an ideal location for this business. By 1898, four quarries operated here: Leathern and Smith, the Green Stone Company, the Laurie Stone Company, and the Termensen and Jensen Stone Company. Quarried stone was loaded onto ships moored nearby and economically carried to ports around Lake Michigan. By 1917 the breakwaters and piers of almost every harbor around Lake Michigan had been constructed in part with Sturgeon Bay limestone.

Looking across the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, you

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

can see the massive footprint of the former Leathern and Smith quarry. Many of the quarry docks remain visible today. The remains of several ships from the stone fleet lie on the bottom of the bay near the piers.

logos of: Wisconsin Historical Society, Sea Grant · University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin State Park System, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Title to Wisconsin's submerged archaeological sites is held in the public trust by the State of Wisconsin. As steward of these unique historical and recreational resources, the Wisconsin Historical Society encourages responsible visitation of these sites. Please leave these sites intact for future generations to enjoy. Wisconsin law prohibits unauthorized disturbance or removal of artifacts or structure.

www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org
www.maritimetrails.org

Erected by the Wisconsin Historical Society's Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin’s Maritime Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 44° 52.621′ N, 87° 25.385′

Close-up of Photos image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

2. Close-up of Photos

W. Marker is near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in Door County. Marker can be reached from Park Drive (County Highway PD) 2.4 miles north of Green Bay Road (State Highway 42 / 57), on the right when traveling north. Marker is along North Norway Road in Potawatomi State Park. Fee area; a vehicle admission sticker is required. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3740 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Eastern Terminus Ice Age National Scenic Trail (approx. half a mile away); Leathem and Smith Quarry (approx. 2.1 miles away); Propeller and Shaft (approx. 2.1 miles away); Steam Barge Joys (approx. 2.7 miles away); Bradley Crandall Sawmill Site (approx. 3 miles away); Historic Sturgeon Bay (approx. 3.6 miles away); ‘Old Bell’ Tower (approx. 3.6 miles away); Hay Hardware (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sturgeon Bay.

More about this marker. captions:
• A steam shovel moves rock onto railcars in 1918 at the Leathem D. Smith quarry at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay. Wisconsin Historical Society Image 79367
• Steam engines like this one moved stone between the quarry and piers. Milwaukee Public Library
• Background Image: A schooner loads stone at the Leathem D. Smith pier. Government Bluff is visible in the distance. Door County Maritime Museum

Also see . . . Wisconsin's Great Lakes Shipwrecks. (Submitted on June 9, 2014.)

Close-up of Image Caption and Attribution image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

3. Close-up of Image Caption and Attribution

Close-up of Attributions and Looting Notice image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

4. Close-up of Attributions and Looting Notice

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

5. Door County's Stone Fleet Marker

View from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

6. View from Marker

Sawyer Harbor • Cabot Point

Potawatomi State Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 8, 2014

7. Potawatomi State Park Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 9, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.