Buildings
Anderson house, currently the Anderson House Museum at the Corner of the Past located at the corner of Hwy 57 and Fieldcrest Road. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Knudson
Original Anderson barn and granary located down Fieldcrest from the house. The granary is now part of the Corner of the Past museum site. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Knudson
Blacksmith shop located on Hwy 57 at the corner of Flintridge Road, across from the Corner of the Past Museum. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Knudson
Building the Sister Bay School in 1909 at the top of the hill overlooking town. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
The Liberty Grove Hotel at the north end of town, located just south of the condos located south of JJ’s/LaPuerta restaurant. 1910. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
St. Rosalia’s Catholic Church (now the Mission Grill). Postcard addressed to Mr. Algot Appel dated Feb. 7, 1910. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Hayes Hardware, serving food made on the Malleable Range they were selling. Located on the lower hill across from the hotel. Circa 1910-12. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
The Fruit Grower’s Canning Co. at the Produce Dock, also known as Wiltse’s dock at the north end of town. A later photo of the building about the time Sam Subin was building the dock into Anchor Sam’s Marina. The building became the office and is still used by Yacht Works. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
The Liberty Park Hotel at the north end of town, one of the first tourist resorts built in 1898. The left part of the building was later moved slightly up the hill to be a separate house. Postcard addressed to Miss Ethel Anderson dated March 31, 1911. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
John Pahl’s hardware store on Maple behind Bunda’s store. Postcard addressed to Vivian Roeser dated Oct. 5, 1912. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
John Pahl’s hardware store on Maple Street. (The building was moved in the 1950’s onto the highway, midway down the lower hill, and then burned down in the late 50’s while doing business as a pizza restaurant. Door County Creamery is currently in that location.) Postcard dated April 8, 1913. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Roeser’s house on Clark Street (now Maple). The building served as their home, a rooming house, the first Catholic Church, a post office, a store, and is still used as an apartment house. One of the earliest buildings still standing in Sister Bay. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
The Everett B. Clark Co. located on dock that became Roeser’s. They processed and shipped peas that were grown in the area. Before 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Sister Bay Hotel (currently Sister Bay Bowl) at the corner of Hwy 42 and Maple Street. As rebuilt after the fire of 1912. Postcard addressed to Miss Phoebe Seaquist dated Oct 29,1915. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Anna Pisha owned and operated the Pisha’s Restaurant in Sister Bay for 20 years. Anna passed away in 1959, wherein Irene and her husband Roy continued to run the successful restaurant until 1970.
People
Edward and Maria Koessl (Sr.) photo courtesy of Donna Koessl Steller
Edward Koessl was born in Wallen Austria, March 11, 1872. He traveled to the United States with his parents in 1890. The family first settled in Oshkosh, however, in 1902 they made the move to a farm in Sister Bay. Edward Koessl married Maria Sippl September 12, 1893 and they had 7 children. Dairying and fruit growing kept him busy throughout his life, as well as serving on the village board (one of the first officers elected in 1912) and school board (when the district was organized in 1909) for a time. Edward passed away at his home in November 1953.
Maria Koessl was born Maria Sippl, in Austria March 25, 1871. She traveled with her parents and a brother in 1891 and also settled in Oshkosh before eventually moving to Sister Bay where she lived raised her family. Maria and Edward were members of St. Rosalia church. 15 months before her passing she moved in with her daughter Mrs. George Bhirdo in Baileys Harbor. Maria Koessl passed away at the age of 90 in 1961.
Anna, Joseph, and Irene Pisha – family photo, date unknown.
Joe Pisha was born in Kewaunee, September 6, 1875. He moved to Sister Bay with his parents when he was six years old. Anna Hoefert was born in Germany, July 16, 1887. She moved to the United States and Bailey’s Harbor with her parents when she was four years old.
Joe and Ann married on June 21, 1909, and had a daughter, Irene, who born two years later on June 16, 1911. Joe owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Sister Bay, however shortly before his passing in 1924 he sold his business to Elmer Erickson.
Irene was married on November 2, 1929, to Roy Knudson of Ephraim.
Anna owned and operated the Pisha’s Restaurant in Sister Bay for 20 years. Anna passed away in 1959, wherein Irene and her husband Roy continued to run the successful restaurant until 1970. Irene and Roy had two children, Gerald and Dolores.
Information gathered from the Green Bay Press-Gazette and the Door County Advocate.
Irene Pisha
Joe and Ann married on June 21, 1909, and had a daughter, Irene, who born two years later on June 16, 1911. Joe owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Sister Bay, however shortly before his passing in 1924 he sold his business to Elmer Erickson.
Irene was married on November 2, 1929, to Roy Knudson of Ephraim.
Anna owned and operated the Pisha’s Restaurant in Sister Bay for 20 years. Anna passed away in 1959, wherein Irene and her husband Roy continued to run the successful restaurant until 1970. Irene and Roy had two children, Gerald and Dolores.
Information gathered from the Green Bay Press-Gazette and the Door County Advocate.
Andrew Knudson Family. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Hagedorn Studio photo, elementary school class. Date unknown. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
John A. Pahl’s Hardware Store. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Loggers at a logging camp with three men identified: Eddie Nelson, Henry Knutson, William Knutson. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Frederick and Louisa Grasse, adopted son Earl Ludepohl sitting by them. Back row – John, Louie, Martin, Herman, and Christ Grasse. Photo Courtesy of Viginia Hanson
First Liberty Grove School around 1913. located on Hwy 57 between County Road Q and Old Stage Road. Later , building was a cheese factory run by Melvin Kramer from 1924-1930. Several gift shops have also been in the building, currently serves as a home. Photo Courtesy of Viginia Hanson
Workers at the lumber mill, circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Andre Roeser and his wife, Leone. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Barn dance. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Steamer Carolina docked at Roeser’s dock, standing in front are Edith Becker, John Pahl, and Mary Starr. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Ed Casperson family in buggy, circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Greg Casperson
Ice boat with Walter Johnson and Vida Anderson. Postcard addressed to Mrs. Edward Casperson, dated April 20, 1915.
Institute Church Choir – Group portrait (l-r) Frank Bunda, Jane Dunn, Nellie Simon, Kate Dunn, James Dunn, John Bates Weber. Date unknown. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Orin Hanson in his grocery store built in 1940. The store later became Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik. Al Johnson expanded around the original store, eventually building the renowned Scandinavian log building with a sod roof. Orin Hanson also ran the Casperson Funeral home for a time while Clyde Casperson was at mortuary school after his father died. Photo Courtesy of Viginia Hanson
Street Scenes
View of Sister Bay looking west down Maple (then Clark Street). Blacksmith shop on left, Sister Bay Hotel on right, Bunda’s store across the street on left and Lerner’s store on right. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Helen Carlson
Street scene looking south from far north end of town. The building in foreground is now JJ’s/LaPuerta restaurant. Postcard dated on back June 23, 1912. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Street scene looking up the hill from the current corner of Hwy 42 and Mill Road. The Sister Bay Hotel is on the left. Postcard addressed to Mr. Algot Appel dated July 12, 1912. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
View looking west, from near the present day library, toward the highway. The foreground building was a blacksmith shop (later the location of Masterfreeze and then the Walkway Shops), Emil Becker’s store across the street (the building is still there); on the left is the Sister Bay Hotel (now Sister Bay Bowl). Circa 1928. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson.
View looking east up Clark Street (now Maple), Roeser’s house on right, the Catholic church in background. The mill and lumber yard would be to the viewer’s back. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Sister Bay after the fire of 1912, looking west, the remains of the hotel in the foreground. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Street scene looking up the hill from the current corner of Hwy 42 and Mill Road. The Sister Bay Hotel is on the left. Circa 1912. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
View from top of hill by Sister Bay school looking northwest. Casper Ny’s house on left, blacksmith shop right foreground (now site of Jungwirth’s Hardware), Sister Bay Hotel is at very right edge, Bunda’s store in center with light awning, and mill in distance. Circa 1912. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
View down the hill looking north. Casper Ny’s house on right, Bunda’s store on left, Sister Bay Hotel center right, the Hendrickson house (white) at bottom of the hill. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
California Farm. Looking east on what is now Scandia Road from the highway. Gust Carlson’s house is in the distance. It was known as the California Farm, and the hill was known as California Hill for a long time. Dated August 3, 1913. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Looking east on Clark Street (now Maple), Roeser’s house in foreground. Postcard addressed to Mrs. John Pahl at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay dated April 21, 1908. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
View from above the hill looking down through the village. At the time, the road came down the hill only on what is now highway 57. Postcard addressed to Miss Ethel Anderson dated Dec. 27, 1913. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
At the corner of the highway and Maple. Bunda’s store on the left, Lerner’s in center, Ole Erickson’s store in distance on left. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Main street corner on the hill. Casper Ny’s house foreground, Sister Bay Hotel background. Postcard addressed to Miss Mathilda Anderson dated Oct. 21, 1909. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
View from atop the hill behind the school looking northwest, the mill in the background. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Looking northwest along Clark Street (now Maple) with Roeser’s house on left edge and the mill in the background. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
The Water
Roeser’s mill and lumber yard, circa 1914. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Early passenger ship. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
Roeser’s dock. Postcard addressed to Rosie Johnson dated April 8, 1910. Photo Courtesy of Helen Carlson
Roeser’s dock, the Leona R leaving the dock, 1914. Postcard addressed to Mr. Algot Appel, dated Sept. 11, 1914. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Kellstrom’s dock, site of the current Sister Bay Marina. This dock was where the launching ramp currently is located. Circa 1920’s-30’s. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Shore scene looking around the point east into the bay. Postcard addressed to Miss Rose Appel dated Jan. 22, 1920. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Ships docked at lumberyard dock, the Leona R is the middle ship. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Early view of the lumberyard dock with piles of cordwood ready for shipping out by ship. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
Hoyt’s Pond, believed to be the Three Springs area east of town off County Road ZZ. Postcard addressed to Mrs. Anna Appel dated Sept. 7, 1909. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Adolph Roeser’s boats the Leona R and the Hustler docked at the lumberyard. Circa 1912. The Leona R was named for his mother. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
View from top of Little Sister hill, Little Sister Bay in foreground with Sister Bay in distance. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Mike Brodd
The Goodrich Transit Co. ship Carolina docked at the lumberyard dock. Steam ships were the primary means of transportation to the northern parts of the county, other than by stage, before the auto and passable roads. Tourists would come by ship and stay for a month or even the entire summer. The ships called at every town. Kids would sometimes get a ride to the next town for a few cents just for a ride and then walk back home. Probably in the 19-teens. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
A smaller steamship docked in Sister Bay Harbor. Probably in the 19-teens. Photo Courtesy of the SBHS Collection
The Work
Emil Becker’s cigar store/smokeshop on what is now Maple Drive, east of the highway, before 1913. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson
Emil Becker in his cigar store/smokeshop, before 1913. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson.
Emil and Edith Becker in their store, with auto parts, and gas pumps outside. Located on the highway, the building was later The Cove, and is currently Cupcake Heaven. Circa 1920. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson.
Emil Becker outside his cigar store on Maple Drive, circa 1913. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson.
Martin Jischke in his butcher shop. Martin and Edith Becker (Mrs. Emil Becker) were brother and sister. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson.
Mary Jischke in the family’s butcher shop. Photo Courtesy of Bernice Becker Anderson.
Ole Erickson’s store, located across from the current Al Johnson’s restaurant. Circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Charlene Appel Rice
Horses and wagon by a barn, on Chamber’s Island when Ed Casperson was lighthouse keeper on the island, circa 1910. Photo Courtesy of Greg Casperson
Men with ice boat cutting ice, Harry Johnson, August Johnson, and Victor Strandell, about 1906. Photo Courtesy of Greg Casperson
