Get Historical

History is not something you typically think of when you’re on vacation unless you’re going some place like Washington D.C. Even the word ‘history’ conjures up images of dusty tomes decaying on bookshelves.

Yet history is all around, even in the most unlikely places. In Fish Creek, for instance, history is still standing…literally. Many of the buildings constructed around the turn of the century currently function as stores and restaurants. The self-guided Fish Creek walking tour provides a fun way to explore the history of this town.

Those with a penchant for the past and an independent streak will enjoy the tour. For $3 you get a map with notable sites listed on it and a brief summary of the history of Fish Creek, available either at the Historic Noble House or the Fish Creek Information Center. Using the map as a guide, you’ll visit historic landmarks, including a former gas station built from stones gathered all over the county and Chambers Island, the founder of Fish Creek’s cottage, which is the oldest building in town, the Rowen house, a structure built with lumber that was carried piece by piece from the dock to the site of the house and the former Maple Tree Cafe, which was started by the Jacob Barringers as an ice cream shop for their daughters. Most of the structures still look about the same as they did when they were built, and the map is filled with interesting facts about the history of the buildings and the people who lived in them.

The tour is an informative, relaxing activity, and provides a poignant look at the structures that have ‘witnessed’ the duration of the lives of several generations of Fish Creek residents. It is a good opportunity to mix past and present. As you learn about the history of the landmarks in Fish Creek, you can also interact with them: you can eat at the former Maple Tree Cafe (now Summertime Restaurant) or visit Sunset Beach.

The Historic Fish Creek Walking Tour brochure is available at the information center at 4097 Hwy 42 or at the Historic Noble House. Call 920.868.2091 or 920.868.3618 for more information.