Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Door County Bookmobile

The Door County Bookmobile was the rural public library. In 1950 when the Door-Kewaunee Regional Library Demonstration first brought bookmobiles to the Door Peninsula, nearly 23% of Wisconsinites did not have access to a free library. With many remote towns and islands, a low overall population, poor transportation, and low literacy rates, the Door Peninsula offered an opportunity…

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June 9, 2019

Door County / Kenosha County / Manitowoc County / Milwaukee County / Ozaukee County / Racine County / Sheboygan County / Port Washington / Lifesaving Medal / Milwaukee / Two Rivers / Manitowoc / Racine / Kenosha / Sheboygan / Region 5 - Center East / Region 8 - South East / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Politics, Society & Government / 1840-1860 / Nature & Environment / Transportation & Tourism

Early Lifesaving Stations in Wisconsin

A Slow Beginning As maritime commerce grew in the early 19th century, the loss of vessels and crews to shipwreck increased. In 1848, the federal government, through the United States Revenue Marine, established its first lifesaving stations along the New Jersey coast. The…

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May 21, 2018

Door County / Door County Book Mobile / Region 5 - Center East / Related Stories / Politics, Society & Government / Education / 1940-1960 / Transportation & Tourism

Creating the Door County Bookmobile

Door County Library Bookmobile service began in 1950 through a Wisconsin Free Library Commission experiment called the Door-Kewaunee Regional Library Demonstration. The Demonstration was developed to explore the possibilities of providing library service to remote areas of the state. This was during a nationwide movement to…

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November 1, 2017

Read more about the article Migrant Labor and Door County Cherries

Oliver, Sheldon, and Glen Fardig help in the Fardig Orchard in Ephraim, WI, c. 1930. Photograph courtesy of the Ephraim Historical Foundation.

Door County / Cherryland T-Shirt / Region 5 - Center East / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Food & Cooking / Politics, Society & Government / Nature & Environment / 1920-1940 / 1940-1960 / Transportation & Tourism

Migrant Labor and Door County Cherries

Early Door County cherry orchards relied heavily on local workers, and all members of the family that owned a cherry orchard were expected to contribute. From the planting process, spraying of fungicides, pruning, and finally cherry picking, each cherry tree required a…

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July 1, 2017

Read more about the article The Cherry Industry in Door County

Image courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Image ID: 48771.

Door County / Cherryland T-Shirt / Region 5 - Center East / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Food & Cooking / 1880-1900 / 1900-1920 / Nature & Environment / 1920-1940 / 1940-1960 / Transportation & Tourism

The Cherry Industry in Door County

While early European immigrants in Door County survived by subsistence farming, efforts in later years to grow cash crops proved challenging, due in large part to the area’s rocky landscape. Despite little success with traditional crops, Door County residents continued to look…

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July 1, 2017

Door County / Cherryland T-Shirt / Region 5 - Center East / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Food & Cooking / 1920-1940 / 1940-1960 / Transportation & Tourism

Cherryland Tourism

The beginnings of Door County tourism preceded the cherry industry boom by several decades. The natural beauty and cool temperatures made the area an attractive destination for urbanites in search of a respite from the summer heat. As transportation improved, visitors from…

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July 1, 2017