State Historical Society Questions Plan to Demolish Potawatomi Tower

DCHS also issues statement of support

The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) answered compliance-specific questions from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding Potawatomi Tower this week, according to a letter the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation (SBHSF) received. 

Tyler Howe, compliance section manager with the Wisconsin Historical Society, said the SHPO considers the tower to be eligible for historic status, considers demolition an adverse effect and questioned the DNR as to why demolition is its preferred direction in light of the two structural-analysis reports that indicate renovation is possible.

The SHPO’s correspondence followed a Door County Historical Society (DCHS) statement issued last week in support of preserving the tower. Bailey Koepsel, DCHS executive director, read the statement to the Door County Board of Supervisors last week.

“To tear down Potawatomi Tower would truly be a disservice to the communities of Door County and the millions of people who peruse the peninsula every year,” she said.

After reading her statement, Koepsel explained that the DCHS had researched the issue and talked with the SBHSF.

“It seemed pretty straightforward on what needs to be done,” she said.