Jacksonport area history

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phone: (920) 823-2288

The Township of Jacksonport was officially organized on March 9th, 1869. Historical accounts state that a tribe of Potawatomi Indians lived in their village, “Mechingan”, in the area of Hibbard’s Creek many years previous. Around 1850, the first white man, Neil Blair, settled here. Perry Hibbard moved to Jacksonport in 1861, built a dock and was in the lumbering, store and shipping business. Many other settlers – Germans, Austrians, English, Scotch, French Canadians and others – built homesteads in Jacksonport.

Commercial fishing and lumbering were important industries here. During the 1870’s there were two general stores, a meat market, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, a sawmill, two hotels, taverns and a boarding house. School District #1 was established in June of 1869 followed by Districts 2, 3 & 4 by the 1900’s. Churches were established – Catholic (1874), Methodist Episcopal 1870’s), Episcopal (1890”s) and Lutheran (1888). By 1877 mail was sent three times a week. Hwy A received the first telephone line in 1888. The first motor stage came to Jacksonport in 1911.

By 1885 there were 862 people living in Jacksonport. By 1890 the township was more agricultural and lumbering and commercial fishing were fading. By 1900 people discovered Jacksonport as a vacation center. Some stayed at the Eureka House or LaMere Lodge or camped. By the 1920’s cottages were built and rented out to vacationers. Some of the old cottages remain today. Many have been replaced by new, year-round homes. Old dock remains can be seen from the shore.

The Old Root Cellar near the site of the Eureka House has been restored in what is now called the Erskine Rest Area. Many of the old family names still remain. The Jacksonport Historical Society has been formed and someday hopes to have a museum to preserve and display artifacts from those good old days which are being collected.

At the turn of the 21st century, Jacksonport is still revered as a vacation area. We invite you to visit Jacksonport and enjoy Lakeside Park and surrounding natural areas – Cave Point Park and the Whitefish Dunes State Park south of town off of Cave Point Drive. Come join us for some of our special events listed on our Calendar...”On The Quiet Side” in Door County.

For much more information about the history of Jacksonport,

visit the Jacksonport Historical Society web site.