Kewaunee, WI

According to the visitors guide provided by the Chamber of Commerce, Kewaunee means "we are lost" in the Pottawatomi language. According to other sources, it means "prairie chicken", "river of the lost," or "to go around." All are interesting, but "we are lost" is my favorite.

Kewaunee, which is located directly east of Green Bay on Lake Michigan, had its beginnings way back with the French-Canadian fishermen and trappers. After the U.S. government had the present day channel dug in 1881, Kewaunee became a deep water port. In 1892, a railroad track was built from Green Bay to Kewaunee and with it came more changes. That November, the first (train) car ferry, the Ann Arbor No. 1, sailed into the harbor and loaded 11 box cars of flour from the Pillsbury Mills in Minneapolis, which were designated for the British Isles, thus making Kewaunee an international port of call.


Ron wanted to see the town because his grandfather was a County Commissioner of Kewaunee County. Here's the courthouse where he attended meetings.


We had to check out the local sights, like this, reportedly the world's tallest grandfather clock.


We saw several gorgeous mansions that appear to have been built by successful merchants long ago.


This was the sight that stopped me in my tracks. Ice cream, chocolate, and candy - what's not to like?

The sign inside talks about their award winning ice cream (and it was yummy,) but warns you not to ask about the nutritional value. It says, "If you want nutrition, eat carrots!"

I had to get up at 6:30 to get the sun on the right side of this lighthouse. To my surprise, the sun was already up before me! A sunrise shot would have been nice.


There were some fancy new houses right along the harbor. Although they are positioned behind the breakwater in the previous picture, I wouldn't feel very safe when the storms whip across Lake Michigan.