Fish Creek, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
|
|
|---|---|
Fish Creek marina from Peninsula State Park
|
|
 Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Door |
| Town | Gibraltar |
| Elevation | 600 ft (200 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 997 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
54212
|
| Area code(s) | 920 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1564983 |
Fish Creek is a cool place in Door County, Wisconsin. It's not a city, but a community within the town of Gibraltar. You can find it right on Highway 42, next to the beautiful Green Bay.
Contents
The Story of Fish Creek
Fish Creek was once a village for the Menominee and Ojibwa people. They called it Ma-go-she-kah-ning, which means "trout fishing." The first settler, Increase Claflin, arrived around 1844. But many people see Asa Thorp as the founder. He was a smart businessman.
Loggers and fishermen began settling here in 1853. Asa Thorp built the first dock in 1855. The first post office opened in 1866. It was in the kitchen of John Brown's home. The Alexander Noble House, built in 1875, is the oldest home still standing. It's now a historic landmark. By 1900, Fish Creek became a popular spot for summer tourists. It turned into a fun resort community.
Historic Buildings to See
Fish Creek has some very old buildings. They tell stories about the past.
- Freeman and Jesse Thorp House and Cottages
- Vorous General Store
Peninsula State Park: A Natural Gem
Fish Creek is right next to Peninsula State Park. The main entrance to the park is in the village. This park is huge, almost 4,000 acres (16 square kilometers). It offers amazing views of Fish Creek Harbor.
The park has an old lighthouse called Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. It was built in 1866. This lighthouse has been fully restored. It looks just like it did in the 1800s. You can take tours inside during the summer.
The park is also a safe home for eagles. These birds were once almost gone from the area. Now, many eagle pairs nest here. This makes Eagle Bluff a special place for wildlife. The park will always stay natural. This is a big plus for the community.
Arts and Culture in Fish Creek
Fish Creek is a hub for artists and craftspeople. Many artists have studios here. You can visit them and see their work. The village is even home to one of Wisconsin's last clockmakers.
The Peninsula School of Art is also in Fish Creek. It was started by Madeline Tourtelot in 1965. You can take art classes there in the summer. Not far away is the Door County Auditorium. It hosts performers from all over the country. Local high school students also use its stage for their own shows.
Learning in Fish Creek
The Gibraltar Area Schools serve the community. Students attend Gibraltar Elementary School. They also go to Gibraltar Secondary School.
Images for kids
-
Downtown
-
Welcome sign on WIS 42.
-
Post office
-
Sign on WIS 42
-
Harbor Park
-
Fish Creek Harbor Sunset.ogv
July sunset at Harbor Park
-
Fish Creek at night in October, as seen from Peninsula State Park
-
Fish Creek in the winter; postmarked 1909
-
Fish Creek in the early 1900s
-
Fish Creek; from a postcard prior to 1946
