General Info
Once home to Native Americans, Door County was part of Brown County in 1848 and first settled by Increase and Mary Claflin. In 1851 Door County was set off from Brown County and early industry was dominated by logging and fishing. Sturgeon Bay was selected as the county seat and the first court hearings were held in a hotel until a more permanent structure was built in 1878. Ample natural resources and the ideal location attracted new residents and as transportation improved, tourism became popular. By 1900 the population of Door County had reached 17,583 and the area continued to grow. It is now an area rich in history and culture and today Door County is home to approximately 27,815 residents.