1835: Port Washington is founded. No natural harbor exists.
Circa 1844: A private pier is built at the end of "Pier" Street.
1849: The first lighthouse and keeper's dwelling is built on the north bluff (St. Mary's Hill).
1860: New . . . — — Map (db m88894) HM
Recovered from Lake Michigan 1900
Erected to the Memory
of the
Passengers and Crews who lost
their lives in the wrecks of the
Steamers Toledo and Niagara
wrecked off Port Washington, WIS.
1856 — — Map (db m118457) HM
Built in 1852 by Barnum Blake
Early Businessman, Entrepreneur, Land Speculator
Additions to Building circa 1900 and 1960
Restored by Port Washington
Historical Society, 2013
Blake Building
205 N. Franklin Street
Is a contributing . . . — — Map (db m120589) HM
Near East Grand Avenue east of North Franklin Street.
Charles A. Mueller (1842–1923) emigrated from Germany with his family in 1854 to Detroit, Michigan. He later moved to Wisconsin and learned the tanner's trade in Two Rivers. Mueller worked at Paul Wolf’s Tannery in Port Washington from 1861 to 1863. . . . — — Map (db m176661) HM
A cistern is an enclosure usually constructed of brick, cut stone or cement that is used to collect rainwater, which runs off the roof via large rain gutters and downspouts. Its purpose is to supply water for bathing and other household uses. This . . . — — Map (db m183491) HM
Prairies once covered more than 2.1 million acres of Wisconsin. When Europeans settled the area, they destroyed much of it to make way for farming and development. Now only about 10,000 scattered acres of native prairie remain in the state. . . . — — Map (db m128692) HM
Near South Wisconsin Street north of South Milwaukee Street, on the right when traveling north.
Lake Michigan and its feeder tributaries have been continually fished for centuries, first by Indigenous populations and much later by European and American settlers. This peninsula of land, where Sauk Creek empties into Lake Michigan, was the . . . — — Map (db m223749) HM
This Fishermen's Park Access Bridge over the Sauk Creek is the only remaining King Post Bridge in Wisconsin. It is unique for its all-metal King Post Construction, certified as significant in 1987 by the National Park Service using criteria for the . . . — — Map (db m120598) HM
On March 10, 2012 twenty four year old Peter Dougherty lost his life while kayaking off the shores of South Beach. Six months later on September 2, 2012, Tyler Buczek lost his life while swimming with friends off the shores of North Beach. This . . . — — Map (db m88547) HM
Many migratory bird species are threatened by habitat destruction both at their wintering grounds in Central and South America and their breeding areas in the northern U.S. and Canada. In addition, these birds must pass twice yearly above a . . . — — Map (db m88790) HM
On North Lake Street Port north of East Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north.
Jacob Moritz started a brewery on this site in 1847, aging beer in long tunnels dug into the hillside. Gottlieb Biedermann and John Bostwick took ownership in 1881 and named it Lakeside Brewery. In 1905, Louis and Charles Labahn, with brewmaster . . . — — Map (db m189546) HM
Tycoon, industrialist, and politician Leland Stanford moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, from Albany, New York in 1848, shortly after entering the bar. After Port Washington's 1852 fire destroyed his law office, which was located in the block . . . — — Map (db m79442) HM
In the afternoon of October 22, 1929, the steam-powered, steel hull, rail car ferry S.S. Milwaukee set off for the return trip to Michigan heading into a northeaster gale filled with 28 train cars, a full load, packed with lumber, food, . . . — — Map (db m244531) HM
On Johnson Street west of East Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
The schooner Northerner was built in 1850 at Clayton, N.Y. and sold to Nicholas Ronk and Andreas Ryerson in 1865. While loading cordwood at the village of Amsterdam, 12 miles north of Port Washington, she struck bottom and was damaged. The . . . — — Map (db m244522) HM
The unwritten code of the lakes dictates that seamen come to the aid of anyone in peril. In this regard the fishermen of Port Washington time and again showed their mettle.
At the time of the September equinox, 1895 a furious gale was . . . — — Map (db m88885) HM
On East Van Buren Street at Johnson Street, on the right when traveling west on East Van Buren Street.
The oil house was built in 1894 when the Lighthouse Service began using more flammable fuel in the lamps, and it was no longer deemed safe to store this type of fuel inside the main dwelling. The oil house was torn down in 1934 and the bricks were . . . — — Map (db m183493) HM
Port Washington played a historic role in the production and distribution of some of America's greatest blues and gospel music in the 1920s and '30s. The talent roster of Paramount Records, founded here in 1917, featured many iconic blues . . . — — Map (db m191374) HM
During the Civil War, Wisconsin Governor Edward Salomon postponed the draft several times but finally gave authorization for several counties to hold lotteries. In Ozaukee County, Draft Commissioner William A. Pors set Monday, November 10, 1862, . . . — — Map (db m62754) HM
On East Pier Street at North Wisconsin Street, on the right when traveling west on East Pier Street.
This fire engine house was built in 1929 on the site of an 1884 multi-purpose wooden fire house. Architect John Topzant of Milwaukee designed the Mediterranean Revival-style building with tan brick walls, a Spanish tile roof, and a campanile-like . . . — — Map (db m47075) HM
On Johnson Street at East Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling east on Johnson Street.
This property has been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
Port Washington Light Station
1860 — — Map (db m46949) HM
The Port Washington Power Plant of the Wisconsin Electric Power Company was the most thermally-efficient steam power plant in the world for many years following its opening in 1935. Its design reflected the cumulative experience of the utility's . . . — — Map (db m129369) HM
The dream of Clarence Hill and George Henry was realized when on Sept. 11, 1899, they opened the doors of their new bank at 206 N. Franklin St. Hill came to the city from Manitowoc, where he helped organize the First National Bank in 1894, and where . . . — — Map (db m88788) HM
This 13'8" propeller, weighing 7 tons, is from the S.S. BADGER, which was built by the Christy Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and launched in 1952. The SPARTAN, a twin of the BADGER was built at the same time. The two carferries bear the . . . — — Map (db m95174) HM
Work to revitalize Sauk Creek and improve habitat for resident and migratory fish began in the summer of 1994. The project called for cleanup of the creek, creation of deeper and narrower channels, stabilization of stream banks and creation of fish . . . — — Map (db m118466) HM
On North Franklin Street at East Washington Street, on the right when traveling north on North Franklin Street.
Built in 1931 by Matthias Schumacher
Replaced Earlier Wood Building
Monumental Works Est. 1878
Four Generations of Stone Cutters:
Dominic, Jacob, Matthias, Thomas — — Map (db m88917) HM
Spears and Clubs
The Indians used handmade spears and clubs, from shore or in primitive boats, to catch the many species of fish native to the shallow waters of Lake Michigan.
The Seine
The seine net was anchored at one end, to . . . — — Map (db m88805) HM
You are standing in the heart of what was once known as Knellsville, WI. Established around 1852, this hamlet was named after one of its earliest settlers, William Knell. For over 100 years, Knellsville was a bustling community of homes and . . . — — Map (db m135853) HM
On East Van Buren Street at Johnson Street, on the right when traveling north on East Van Buren Street.
HistoryThe first settlers arrived in Port Washington in 1835. General Wooster Harrison became the town's first settler, laying out 16 acres of the gently sloping land at the mouth of Sauk Creek. In 1848, following years of petitioning Congress, . . . — — Map (db m183580) HM
Built in 1850 by John Oades of Clayton, NY, the Northerner began as a lakeshoring vessel on Lake Ontario, transporting general merchandise to and from American and Canadian ports for Henry T. Bacon. Around 1863 the Northerner began its career on . . . — — Map (db m129368) HM
On Johnson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Final Voyage - 11/29/1868. The schooner Northerner pounded heavily upon the bottom while loading at the pier at Amsterdam, 12 miles north of Port Washington. Later that day after getting out into the lake, it was discovered she was leaking . . . — — Map (db m244523) HM
On West Main Street at North Wisconsin Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
The Old Ozaukee County Courthouse
in Port Washington, Wisconsin
is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
December 12, 1976
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin in association with the U.S. Department of Interior — — Map (db m73833) HM
On North Franklin Street (State Highway 32) at East Main Street, on the right when traveling north on North Franklin Street.
Erected 1891
Restoration 1983-1989
Owners
R.J. Schowalter
Frank M. Metz
Architect
Ehrlich, Genson and Assoc., Inc.
Port Washington, Wisconsin — — Map (db m60546) HM
On E Main St, 0.1 miles N. Franklin St. when traveling east. Reported missing.
One of the largest manufacturers of chairs in the United States, the Wisconsin Chair Company of Port Washington was founded by Fred A. Dennett and John M. Bostwick in 1888. After acquiring the important “MacLean Swing Rocker” patent in 1891, the . . . — — Map (db m237940) HM
The lure of the lake is magnetic and hypnotizing to a true commercial fisherman. It draws him into its embrace from the time he is born to the day he is laid to rest. The lake mesmerizes him with its beauty, strength and sometimes terror. It . . . — — Map (db m88895) HM
The Indians who spent their summers where Sauk Creek and Lake Michigan meet were Port Washington's first fishermen. They used rocks or clubs to kill fish in shallow water. Later, spears were used. Then, crude hooks were fashioned out of bone. With . . . — — Map (db m88898) HM
Andrew Lodde was working on fish tugs by the time he was sixteen in 1888. He started with the Van Ells in Port Washington, then off of Jones Island and back to Port when the fish company relocated here. In 1913 Andrew formed a partnership with the . . . — — Map (db m88899) HM
The Toledo was a steamship that was built for the freight and passenger trade in the upper lakes area. It was commissioned by Charles H. Lee and Associates in 1854 and taken over by the American Transportation Company in 1855. The Toledo was part of . . . — — Map (db m135855) HM
Near East Van Buren Street at Johnson Street, on the right when traveling south.
This is the site of the original well for the 1849 and 1860 light station. It was only 32 feet deep and the water was not potable. The well pulley is from the steamer Toledo, which was battered to pieces in a storm off Port Washington in 1856 . . . — — Map (db m183753) HM
On Washington Street at North Wisconsin Street, on the left when traveling north on Washington Street.
This bell once graced the tower of Wisconsin Street School, which stood adjacent to the present fire station. School bells such as this were often used to sound the fire alarm. The school was an early Port Washington public school, as well as the . . . — — Map (db m95176) HM
Before European settlement, old growth, Sugar Maple-American Beech-Basswood forests originally covered nearly 3.5 million acres in Wisconsin. Through fragmentation and conversion to farmland, only about 50,000 acres of this forest remain. A . . . — — Map (db m129370) HM
