The Surprising Story Of How Wisconsin’s Most Famous Vacation Destination Got Its Name

There’s a lot to love about Door County. The peninsula is visited by thousands of people every year, for good reason. The county is home to tons of cute shops and restaurants, lush cherry orchards, vibrant attractions, and postcard-perfect lakefront villages. Although it's a portal to plenty of good times, the history of Door County, Wisconsin, and where it's name comes from is long and dark.

At the tip of Door County, you’ll find cold deep waters known as Death’s Door. If you ride the ferry to Washington Island, you’ll travel through these waters. The passage gave the county its famous name.

But why Death’s Door? The exact details of the story are as elusive as the deep depths of this passage, but we know a few things.

There’s a long tradition that traces the name to the story of a Native American war party that was lost in a bad storm.

Other historical accounts trace the name to French roots - it was long called “Porte des Morts” (Door of Death), and a 1728 French document refers to the passage as “Cap a la Mort.”

In any case, no one disagrees that the strait that connects Lake Michigan with Green Bay is treacherous.

There are numerous ship wrecks below these cold waters.

There are a number of reasons why these waters can be dangerous – there are hidden shoals near the islands, large waves can form, and sometimes, gale-force winds can make these waters even more difficult to cross.

Did you know about this rather dark history of Door County, Wisconsin? While it’s very important to respect the waters of Lake Michigan, many people boat in this area and live to tell about it - I have! Get your supplies for Door County at REI, and if you're looking for more things to do in the Badger State, this is where to find some more adventures in Wisconsin.