The stories of perseverance, toil, and hardship that created the community of Egg Harbor are now available in the two-volume collection of family histories “Celebrating Egg Harbor:  1861 – 2011.”

The special collection celebrating Egg Harbor features stories, photos and remembrances from dozens of Egg Harbor families and provides a glimpse into life in the town and village as its residents forged a new life. The books also feature a history of the schools and churches that helped to connect these multi-cultural neighbors to this small point of land on the Door County Peninsula, as well as a special introduction by Egg Harbor native Myles Dannhausen Jr. of the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living.

The two-volume set’s regular price is $19.95 and can be purchased through this website’s Online Store or at Egg Harbor area outlets. If you or your business want to help sell the books, email an inquiry to eggharborwihistory@gmail.com

Memories of Egg Harbor Life

The following are excerpts from the two-volume collection Celebrating Egg Harbor.

“It was nice years ago. You had people who helped you, and you helped them, and no money ever had to change hands.” – Doris Jorns

“We never knew who was coming to dinner. When Harvey was working on someone’s car or machinery at noon, that person was invited to eat with the family.” – from the children of Harvey and Helen Haen, who ran a service station in Egg Harbor for decades

“As a kid a trip to the dump was always considered an adventure. You never quite knew what treasure you might find there.” – Curt Haen

“Father, son and Holy Ghost, Those who are first get the most.” – Curt Haen, on the pre-dinner prayer on the farm with 12 siblings

“In the winter, we went ice skating at Vroman’s and sledding down the Egg Harbor dock hill. Best of all we played on a giant snow pile in the middle of the road where County G and Highway 42 meet. Apparently, no one thought the traffic was a threat to us.” – Barb (Herbst) Kramer

“Had it not been for a faithful classmate and a wonderful school principal, Mr. Langemak, who let me leave school at noon, I’m not sure if I would have survived that year.” – Roland Jorns, on getting through his early years running a maple syrup business for his father in high school.

“Friends helped friends. If someone had a special talent, they shared it.” – Sharon Perry Landstrom

“Our clothes were ordered from the Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Ward catalogs. Lumber and feed for animals was purchased from Bertschinger’s in Egg Harbor. Shopping for groceries was done at Washichek’s Store at Peninsula Center. Eggs were taken as credit…Most everything was canned or put in salt brine in barrels. Vegetables were put in sand in the basement to stay fresh. Our milk was taken to Washichek’s as they had a cheese factory.” – Laverne Abrahamson Schoblocher’s family memories