Captain Bailey
It was in 1848 that a Captain Justice Bailey sought shelter from a
severe storm on Lake Michigan and took refuge in the harbor in which
today bears his name. He was in charge of one of a dozen vessels owned
by a Mr. Alanson Sweet, a industrialist in Milwaukee, who had
extensive businesses in shipping stone and lumber to Detroit.
We have a letter from Mrs. Byron Treat of Buchanan, Michigan.
Written in 1953 to Mrs. Donald Boynton of Bjorklunden. Mrs. Treat at
age 88 was writing to tell how an uncle of hers, Capt. Justice Bailey
convinced Mrs. Treat’s grandparents of Racine, Wisconsin to be his
guests for the round trip to Detroit. He told them how beautiful the
fall colors during October would be and explained he would be dropping
off cargo in Detroit and then returning to Recine for another kind of
lumber, and so they accompanied him. But the ships encounter a violent
unexpected storm that sought him to seek shelter in a little cove or
inlet as she called it, and remained there over night. The next
morning after the storm had passed Capt. Bailey came ashore to look
around the area and found nature lime stone to be mined in a area that
is now behind the Lutheran church. Knowing that his employer, Alanson
Sweet was in the business of selling stone to commercial building
contractors, Capt. Bailey took samples of the stone with him. He also
noted the abundance of timber and prepared a map of the harbor to take
back to Mr. Sweet Along with specimens of Pine, Maple and Beech. Upon
his return he gave a glowing report to Alan Sweet who had visions of
great business possibilities in the new area.
The next year 1849 Mr. Sweet sent crew of men to build a pier and a
sawmill at the harbor and to open a stone quarry. Before the end of
another year had passed, there were six log cabins in the tiny
settlement and a road had been cut through the woods westwards to the
Green Bay shoreline. This road is known as County trunk F today. Mr.
Sweet sent his scribe, Mr. Soloman Beery to take charge of the work
crews in 1949. During the winter of 1849 and 1850 Mr. Beerys crew cut
and milled 2500 cords of wood for shipment.
The first lighthouse
In 1851 Mr. Sweet a very aggressive businessman, induced the United
States government to build a lighthouse under his supervision, on the
east side of the harbor.
In the Milwaukee Daily Sentinel of August 19, 1852 I quote:
"Lighthouses on Lake Michigan: We learn from Capt. Miller the
efficient superintendent of lights on the North Western Lakes. That
our fellow citizen, Alanson Sweet has nearly completed the light at
Baileys Harbor and it will be ready for use in a week or two."
|
This lighthouse was in use until 1870. When it was discontinued to
upgrade the navigation lights to a Range light system. The lighthouse
was abandoned and remained unused until the U.S. Government decided to
sell it. A deed dated June 24 1926 shows that it was sold to a W.
Mahler for the highest bid of $500. The lighthouse keepers house had
rotted and was rebuild by William Tishler Sr. The property remains
privately owned.
There are only 3 lighthouses in the United States with the birdcage
dome on top. There’s one in the state of Michigan, one in New York
and ours in Baileys Harbor. Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson the founder and
president of the Baileys Harbor Historic Society have nomination the
birdcage lighthouse to the National Register of Historic Sites.
In 1851 Mr. Sweet convinced the State Legislature to grant county
status to the peninsula and to make Baileys Harbor the first county
seat under the name Gibraltar. However, no official business was
transacted and in 1858 the name Baileys Harbor was again given to the
area through the citizens’ preference and Sturgeon Bay became the
county seat.
In the meantime Mr. Alanson Sweet through financial difficulties
severed his relations with the activities of Baileys Harbor. The
lumber business continued to thrive in the late 1860’s through to
the 1890’s.
Also a sawmill owned by Mr. J.W. Lowel was built on the shore near
Higgin’s pier. After a few years the mill moved away and Mr. J.T.
Wright Built the Peninsula House nearby. The steam ship Ludington of
the Goodrich Steamship line called once a week to unload passengers
and freight. The Peninsula House built in 1871 was located not far
from the Higgin’s pier. In the Door County Advocate of 1871 Mr.
Wrights advertisement read: "Peninsula House … at the steam
boat landing, pleasant place, table filled & customers treated
with expectation of coming back with Faithful attention given to the
comforts and wants of the traveling public. Stage couch service to
Sturgeon Bay."
The National Hotel owned by Thomas Mc Cullough opened in 1870’s
In 1853 Mr. S.B.Ward came to Baileys Harbor and bought a house
belonging to Mr. W. L. Brooks on the site where he built the Baileys
Harbor House. Later owned by Mr. Adam Hendrick in 1871
More history on the Cana Island lighthouse.
The Settlers |
