Kewaunee County
Posted by Melissa Ryan on February 1, 2010
Categories: 72 Counties in 72 Weeks
Located on the Door Peninsula, Kewaunee County is one of the top dairy producing counties in Wisconsin. It is estimated that the average cow in Kewaunee County produces 19,300 pounds of milk each year. Agriculture provides 2,199 jobs for residents and generates $42.1 million of the county’s total income. Farmers own or manage 79% of the land in Kewaunee, including cropland, pasture, and tree farms.
Recreational activities are plentiful, with 1,300 acres of public lands for hunting and fishing. Kewaunee County also has four county parks and five inland lakes with public access. White tailed deer and wild turkeys are popular game during open hunting season, with an average of 1,000 deer harvested each year.
Facts of Interest
- Wisconsin's oldest winery is the von Stiehl Winery, located in Algoma. The winery was built shortly after the Civil War and was originally known as Ahnapee Brewing. Von Stiehl also hosts the Wet Whistle Wine Fest which features competitive grape stomping. The von Stiehl winery produces 25 varieties of wine.
- The Kewaunee Trout Fest features an annual fish boil and Off-Shore Challenge Fishing Tournament in addition to a car show and parade.
- The world's largest grandfather clock stands in front of an antique shop in Kewaunee County; it is approximately 25 feet tall.
- The first doctor's office in Wisconsin was opened in the city of Kewaunee.
- Kewaunee displays the Tug Ludington tugboat that was used during World War II to assist ammunition barges. The tug also participated in the D-Day Normandy invasion.
- An original, 1920s fish shanty is located in Algoma. The Art Dettman Fish Shanty is one of the last-remaining, original shanties on Lake Michigan. Each year Algoma holds Shanty Days Celebration of the Lake. The festival lasts for three days and includes a book sale, a 5K walk/run, and a parade.
- The Kewaunee County Area Barn Quilts Driving Tour features 18 paintings by local 4-H and FFA members. The students painted quilt patterns for historic barns in Kewaunee County, which comprise a driving tour through the area.
- Bluegrass on the Lakeshore is a three-day festival hosted by Kewaunee County that features Bluegrass bands from throughout the county.
