Town of Gibraltar, Fish Creek, Juddville, Maple Grove sesquicentennial

Then

History…

As immigrants arrived on the eastern seaboard in the early 1800s, stories of the frontier’s riches lured the newcomers westward. Rivers dense with fish, virgin forests, and prairies ripe for cultivation tempted the immigrants arriving from countries around the world. Recognizing opportunity, Asa Thorp was one of Fish Creek’s earliest settlers. Building a simple log cabin on Green Bay’s shoreline, the cooper (barrel-maker) purchased land, established a lumbering business, constructed a pier on the waterfront, and built the second summer tourist hotel in Wisconsin. Entrepreneurial by nature, he generally encouraged settlement and enterprise.

In 1858, the Township of Gibraltar--consisting of the villages of Fish Creek, Juddville and Maple Grove--was established. Farmers, lumbermen, and fishermen settled their families on the surrounding fields, scrapping out homesteads bordered with the rocks they cleared. But the settlers’ efforts were rewarded…and the community prospered. Three general stores supplied goods to the settlers. Several churches, a school, and library fulfilled the spiritual and education needs of the villagers. With the establishment of a post office the United States government officially acknowledged the Township of Gibraltar.

By the turn of the 20^th century, visitors from Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee “discovered” the virtues of Door County. Dr. Hermann Welcker’s resort, organized in the tradition of the European spa, offered a regimen of food, rest and healthy meals. Within a few years, the resort’s guests were building homes on Cottage Row. Soon enough, where horses had pulled wagons over dirt roads, Model Ts were transporting visitors to their accommodations.

Today, the essence of Fish Creek and its surrounding countryside is reflected in the people and places that echo with a unique history. Walk through Founder’s Square and visit Asa Thorp’s original cabin. Step through the door of the Fish Creek General Store where the wooden floors creak with the footsteps of generations of settlers. Walk down the road to Sunset Beach Park and applaud the setting sun. Explore the back-roads where historic barns and grazing livestock recall days all gone. The names of the early settlers—Asa Thorp, Increase Clafflin, Alexander Noble, Alexander Lundberg, the Hill brothers, and Peter Weborg, among others—appear throughout the pages of Fish Creek’s history. It is a story of perseverance and fortitude that continues today.

Throughout 2008, the Town of Gibraltar will celebrate its Sesquicentennial Year. The communities of Fish Creek, Juddville, and Maple Grove will host activities and events for the entire family to enjoy. Visit an orchard and pick cherries, observe an artist at work, attend a rousing band concert, or sit under the stars as the 4^th of July fireworks light the night sky…the Town of Gibraltar will be bustling with activities to honor the traditions and history of the community’s legacy, as well as its future. The Town of Gibraltar’s Sesquicentennial calendar of events will be regularly updated; visit www.gibraltar150.org for a complete schedule.

Now

The Beginnings

"The pristine east shore of the Fish Creek harbor was as attractive to the early settlers in 1850 as it is to the travelers today. The mighty stands of evergreens on the densely forested land touched the waters of the Green Bay shoreline, and the newcomers readily envisioned the area as prime fishing grounds.

In December 1857 the Door County Board set off Gibraltar as a township consisting of all county land north of Sevastapol except Washington Island. This area, aptly named because of its rough, rocky, and bluffy surface, at the time almost devoid of buildings, became the fourth organized town in Door County. The following spring it elected its own officers at a meeting held at the home of Asa Thorp in Fish Creek."

History of Fish Creek; wikipedia

’’’Fish Creek’’’ is an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated community]] located in [[Door County, Wisconsin|Door County]], [[Wisconsin]], [[United States]], within the town of [[Gibraltar, Wisconsin|Gibraltar]] and is located on [[Highway 42 (Wisconsin)|Highway 42]] along the [[Bay of Green Bay]].

The first settler of Fish Creek was Increase Claflin and his family circa 1844 [http://www.doorcounty.com/stay/communities/fish-creek.aspx], but the village founder is considered to be entrepreneur Asa Thorp. Loggers and fishermen started settling in Fish Creek in 1853 [http://www.fishcreek.info/home/fish_creek_history.asp]. Thorp owned much of the area’s land by that year, and built Fish Creek’s first dock in 1855. Fish Creek’s oldest unchanged residence, the [[Alexander Noble House]], was built in 1874 and today is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. By 1900, summer tourists were frequently visiting the village, and Fish Creek became a resort community. The main entrance to [[Peninsula State Park]] is found in Fish Creek. Locals typically pronounce the name as "Fish Crick".

History of the Fish Creek Civic Association

On June 22^nd, 1927 the Fish Creek Gibraltar Civic Club was chartered, joining together “to promote social-ability among its members; to hold and conduct entertainments, etc.” Eighty years later, the “Fish Creek Civic Association,” renamed in the 1960s, remains devoted to the original charter of its founding members.

“We have two main goals,” said “Digger” DeGroot, FCCA office manager. “The first is to promote Fish Creek, and the second is to enhance the business community. What funds we raise are reinvested in the community.” And one of their most popular events, the annual Winter Festival, celebrates its 20^th anniversary this February.

Member-driven, the FCCA is active throughout the year. Seasonal events include a variety of activities that are accessible to residents and visitors. Every summer, “Concerts in Noble Square” features musical programs that appeal to all ages, including Birch Creek ensembles, brass bands, and scenes from American Folklore Theatre.

The night’s sky is bright with a fireworks extravaganza funded by local business owners during the July 4^th holiday; beautification projects bring color to walkways and holiday decorations create a festive atmosphere. The FCCA annually publishes a comprehensive visitors’ guide and an informational kiosk is open 24 hours a day.

Today, the FCCA membership includes 140 community business owners, 20 associate members, and eight non-profit organizations. “We don’t serve just our membership; we serve the community,” emphasized former FCCA board president Karl Stubbenvoll. “We plan our events to bring everyone together to have a good time, have some fun and enjoy our community’s beauty.”

The Fish Creek Information Center, located in the Town Community Center along with the Post Office, Library and Town Offices, on Main Street / Hwy 42, is an important source of imformation for visitors to The Town of Gibraltar. In the "high season", the Center is open daily mid-May through October with staff available to assist visitors, 10:00 - 5:00 PM, Monday - Saturday and 10:00 - 3:00 Sundays. During the "low season" the Center is open daily November through mid-May with staff there Friday 12-5:00 PM, Saturday 10- 5:00 and Sundays 11 - 2:00 PM. Write to Fish Creek Civic Association, P.O. Box 14, Fish Creek, WI, 54212. Check the Center’s Web site at: www. fishcreekinfo.com for information to help plan your time in Fish Creek, and Door County.

150th Proclamation
Gibraltar Sesquicentennial Proclamation Let it be known! Whereas, the Town of Gibraltar, inclusive of the villages of Fish Creek, Juddville, and Maple Grove, Established in 1858, has been a community for 150 years, The citizens of the Town of Gibraltar, County of Door, and visitors to the area, Are invited to participate in the related events of this Sesquicentennial Year of Celebration. and Whereas, the Town of Gibraltar is recognized for the excellence of its community, and Welcoming of its visitors, The Sesquicentennial celebration honors the History and heritage of the Town of Gibraltar, inclusive of the villages of Fish Creek, Juddville, and Maple Grove. Now Therefore, the Gibraltar Town Board of Supervisors congratulate the many individuals, businesses, and organizations who have contributed to our community’s state of well-being. It is, therefore, proclaimed that throughout this Sesquicentennial Year of 2008, The Town of Gibraltar shall celebrate its 150^th year of establishment. Signed: Town of Gibraltar Supervisors, November 7, 2007 Historical reference: “The pristine east shore of the Fish Creek harbor was as attractive to the early settlers in 1850 as it is to the travelers today. The mighty stands of evergreens on the densely forested land touched the waters of the Green Bay shoreline, and the newcomers readily envisioned the area as prime fishing grounds. In December 1857 the Door County Board set off Gibraltar as a township consisting of all county land north of Sevastapol except Washington Island. This area, aptly named because of its rough, rocky, and bluffy surface, at the time almost devoid of buildings, became the fourth organized town in Door County. The following spring it elected its own officers at a meeting held at the home of Asa Thorp in Fish Creek.” “Fish Creek Echoes, a century of life in a Door County Village” Editors: Edward Schreiber and Virginia Kinsey.

The Town Gibraltar Sesquicentennial Committee
PO Box 150, Fish Creek, WI 54212 USA
Email: info@gibraltar150.org

Last update on: December 3, 2007