Door County Granary in Sturgeon Bay, September 18, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Members of the public are getting ready for their first look inside the Door County Granary.
“The Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator was built in 1901, and there was actually three other grain elevators that existed on the waterfront here in Sturgeon Bay. And this is the last one to exist,” said Nicole Matson, Sturgeon Bay Historical Society operations director.
After years of debate, and even a couple trips across the shipping channel, the Granary is scheduled to open Saturday.
“We’ve renovated the entire ground floor. We’ve cleaned it up. We’ve put an addition on to house public amenities like restrooms that are open to the public for the park space,” Matson said.
Marc Paulson, a Sturgeon Bay resident, says he walks the area on a regular basis.
“I like it. I’m happy that it’s finally coming to a semi-completion. I realize there’s still more to be done. I like the fact that it’s being re-used and will be a sort of community center,” said Paulson.
The granary story includes some controversy. In 2018, the structure was deemed a fire hazard and was moved across the Oregon Street Bridge.
“And just saved it over there, while they convinced the city to move the building back to its original location,” said Matson.
The following year, it returned.
“We’ve definitely turned the tides on the appreciation for the grain elevator, and what we’re trying to do here in Sturgeon Bay, and protect historical sites, and just celebrate our agricultural history,” said Matson.
Was it worth it?
“Oh, it’s absolutely worth it,” she said.
Matson says the Door County Granary is the only restored wooden grain elevator on the Great Lakes. The other is in Cleveland, Ohio.
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