On October 27, 2016, members of the executive committee of a new nonprofit announced news of incorporation. Committee members Kelly Catarozoli, Hans Christian, Shawn Fairchild, Ame Thorson, and Christie Weber announced that the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society (SBHS) is in the process of incorporation, at the Friends of the Sturgeon Bay Public Waterfront second annual Fall Social. (Two additional founding members, Laura Kayacan and Elaine Carmichael were not present.) According to Fairchild, “There are many organizations devoted to preserving Door County’s history, but none solely focused on Sturgeon Bay. We feel there is a need to support efforts to preserve and celebrate our history, including the preservation and restoration of historic structures.”
Toward that end, the group has submitted a professionally prepared application to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for designation of the Teweles and Brandeis grain elevator located on the westside waterfront. Historic preservation consultant Tim Heggland prepared the application and has successfully submitted over 100 NRHP applications. The application was pre-approved by the State before being submitted to the federal agency. Application materials are available here.
County Historian George Evenson applauded the group’s action. “The grain elevator, which was built in 1902, is a treasure. It’s the last surviving structure that tells the story of our agricultural past.”
Weber noted that SBHS will also seek to have the historic Cardy Paleoindian site on the City’s west side incorporated into the Ice Age Trail that runs just blocks from it. The Cardy site is one of the state’s most significant Ice Age-related sites and is listed on the Wisconsin and National Registers of Historic Places.
-- Laurel Hauser