DOOR COUNTY - Wisconsin - page 265

HISTORY
As usual, the first European, Increase Claflin, was a squatter; he parked his cabin high
above the Strawberry Islands in 1844. But Plano Indian encampments have been examined
and dated to 7000-4000 BC, and the Menominee, Fox, Winnebago, Iroquois, and Pot-
awatomi Indians have all occupied littoral sites. The Native American presence—and for
once, overtly harmonious relations—is symbolized by the Memorial Pole. This 40-foot to-
tem pole commemorates Potawatomi chief Simon Khaquados, laid to rest here in 1930 be-
fore thousands of admirers. Unfortunately, the settlers didn't love him enough to preclude
building agolfcourse aroundhisgrave; the pole today sits between the number 1andnum-
ber 9 fairways.
Sights
Obligatory is the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse (920/421-3636), built during the Civil War by
U.S.lighthousecrewmenasthesecondofthepeninsula'slighthouses,asquaretowerabout
45 feet tall attached to the keeper's house. It stands atop the bluff and can be seen for 15
miles; the views from its top stretch even farther. The prized assignment for lighthouse
keepers in the peninsula, it had a commanding view and the best salary, the princely sum
(for1880)of$50permonth.Tours($5adults)aregiveninearlysummerandautumnevery
half hour 10am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, with shorter hours the rest of year.
Two75-foottowerswereerected atthepark'sinception andusedasfire-spotting towers
(one was later removed because of dry rot). Eagle Tower was placed where it is simply
because so many people wanted to spot a pair of long-term nesting eagles. These are the
eagles for whom the bluff, the harbor, and the peninsula itself were eventually named.
Before hiking, most visitors head to the White Cedar Nature Center (Bluff Rd., 920/
854-5976, 10am-2pm daily Memorial Day-Labor Day, shorter hours rest of the year) to
walk a nature trail and view a host of exhibits covering the park's natural history.
Golf
Deemed by the golf press one of the gems of Midwestern courses, the 18-hole Peninsula
State Park Golf Course (920/854-5791, www.peninsulagolf.org , $37/18 holes) is plunked
right in the eastern swath of the park. Tee-time reservations are necessary; make them as
early as you can.
Hiking
More than 20 miles of hiking trails network through the park and along the shores of the
bays.