The Gibraltar Historical Association will share the stories of a bye-gone era of steamships in Door County at the end of the month. The final Gibraltar Talk of 2019 is Monday, September 30 and will be a presentation on the Goodrich ships that transported people from Chicago and Milwaukee to Door County. Jim Baye, a Great Lakes diver and historian, will share his collection of stories connected with items from the Goodrich ships. Gibraltar Historical Association Director Laurie Buske says Baye has a fondness for the Goodrich ships and its history that will be shared a week from Monday.
The Gibraltar Talk on the Goodrich Steamship will be held at the Gibraltar Old Town Hall on Maple Street in Fish Creek. The event is free to the public with refreshments served.
(photo submitted)
Press Release :
Gibraltar Historical Association announces our Final Gibraltar Talk of 2019.
September 30thth Goodrich Ships
Curiosity and love for a bye gone era, is the reason for a presentation on the Goodrich Steamship and a display of a notable Goodrich ship collection. Founded in 1856 as a Chicago-Milwaukee transportation service and eventually delivering summer guests to beautiful Door County. Jim Baye Great Lakes Diver/Historian will share his fascination with Goodrich ships, his collection and stories connected to these items.
Throughout the summer the Green Bay waters were part of the trip by the Georgia and Carolina, departing from Chicago to Mackinac Island, with each boat completing a round trip in a week. One arrived in the middle of the week the other came at week’s end. Often the steamship’s whistle could be heard in the neighboring town of Ephraim.
Fish Creek’s story would not be complete, without a glimpse into the early 1900’s and the arrival of the Great Lake steamers. Various ships plied the waters of Green Bay and delivered tourists to their summer retreat where the air was fresh and cool. The Carolina was but one of these ships and its arrival in early summer was always reason for great excitement. Merchants readied their storefronts with fresh coats of paint and filled their shelves with supplies. The last curtain was pressed and hung, welcoming guests to the summer resorts. Women and children of the town joined the menfolk at the dock to greet the ship. Wagons and buggies lined the waterfront waiting to take guests to their respective hotels. Another summer had begun. The streets of Fish Creek bustled with activity. The Goodrich Ship era running from 1856- 1933 most likely was one of the reasons Fish Creek became the quaint village it is today.
Gibraltar Historical invites you to learn more about the Goodrich Ship line, share Goodrich Ship memories or bring items you have collected. GHA will have the book, Red Stacks over the Horizon by James L. Elliott available for purchase. Come down to Gibraltar’s Old Town Hall, 4167 Maple Street, on Thursday, September 30th, at 7:00 p.m. in beautiful Fish Creek.
The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
We also invite you to come and visit the Alexander Noble House Museum featuring Victorian Wedding customs and gowns.
Tuesdays-Sundays, 10-3:00 with a small admission of $5.00.
