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

Bradley Crandall Sawmill Site

Photographed By Keith L, September 17, 2008

1. Bradley Crandall Sawmill Site Marker

Inscription. This sawmill led to the
founding of Sturgeon Bay

1853

The Founding of Little Lake
Sturgeon Bay's first major settlement was founded in 1853 with the construction of the Bradley-Crandall Sawmill. The original mill was located on a small island and had a workforce of 30 – 40 people, about half the population of the area. Life was hard and transportation difficult. Wild animals were prevalent, especially bears and wolves.

The channel between the island and the mainland was called "Silver Lake" by the early settlers because of its beautiful reflective qualities. Later known as "Bradley Lake", it gradually decreased in size because of the dumpings from the mill. The natives began calling it "Slab Lake" or "Little Lake".

During the depression and panic of 1857 the lumber mill failed and lumber was hauled to Chicago to settle debts. Bradley had to sell his cow, the only one in Door County. These hard years were called "the years of salt and potatoes".

In 1859 the first flour mill was working. The sawmill, again operational, generated large quantities of sawdust, some of which was used to fill in the lake. In 1896 the first shipyard was constructed on the south end.

The sawmill closed in 1910. Little Lake had become a health hazard because

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of sawdust dumpings and was unmarketable. In 1928 the city purchased the property plus 25 additional acres to create a park. For some years the lake was used by the state as a bass rearing pond. Water tanks, now used as planters, originally held specimens of fish native to Door County waters.

In 1962 Sturgeon Bay residents defeated an attempt to develop a marina and the area was conserved for future generations to enjoy.

This historic marker was presented to the City of
Sturgeon Bay in 1982
by
Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club
and
Peninsula Planters Garden Club.
Reconstructed in 1993 in collaboration with
Door County Historical Society.

Erected 1982 by Sturgeon Bay Home and Garden Club, Peninsula Planters Garden Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 44° 50.74′ N, 87° 22.916′ W. Marker is in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in Door County. Marker is on North 3rd Avenue (County Highway B) near Delaware Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is near the southeast shore of Bradley Lake in Sunset Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sturgeon Bay WI 54235, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Bradley Crandall Sawmill Marker and Little Lake image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert L Weber, November 4, 2011

2. Bradley Crandall Sawmill Marker and Little Lake

distance of this marker. Steam Barge Joys (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Sturgeon Bay (approx. 0.7 miles away); ‘Old Bell’ Tower (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hay Hardware (approx. 0.7 miles away); 110-114 North 3rd Avenue (approx. ¾ mile away); Public Library (approx. 0.8 miles away); Merchants Exchange Bank (approx. 0.8 miles away); Masonic Temple (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sturgeon Bay.

Also see . . . Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on January 24, 2010.)

Photographed By Keith L, September 17, 2008

3. Bradley Crandall Sawmill Site Marker

Nearby Bay of Sturgeon Bay image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, September 17, 2008

4. Nearby Bay of Sturgeon Bay

Looking towards the Bay of Green Bay

Nearby Shipyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, September 17, 2008

5. Nearby Shipyard

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,185 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on November 4, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 24, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.