Bathing costumes were made of dark wool a two piece suit for men, knee length (one rather imperious man was seen entering the water with his Phi Beta Kappa pin fastened to his bathing suit.) Women wore voluminous skirts and bloomers and often a white hat pinned to their hair, creating a merry picture of white dots floating and bobbing on the water. 'Swimming was a favorite pastime and exercise for the Doctor and his wife Henriette, and guests were encouraged to join them for an afternoon dip at the Bathing Beach (now the Town Beach). Herr Doktor strode through cottages and hallways shaking a small hand bell, calling 'Ruhe, Ruhe!' (Quiet, quiet!) 'A two-hour 'silent' period followed and was strictly enforced. The table was laden with huge platters of roast pork or Wiener Schnitzel, potatoes, noodles, baked cabbage and other vegetables, smoked fish, fresh bread and rich desserts such as a three-layer cherry kuchen liberally crowned with whipped cream. After returning by boat, perhaps the 'Thistle', the large noon meal was announced by a big iron bell, and everyone was required to be on time. A day's schedule might have begun with a hike along the shore to Ephraim, stopping at one of the little rest areas named for trees in the vicinity there was a 'Birch Bench', a 'Balsam Bench', and others, with water fountains nearby. He believed in exercise, hearty meals, rest, and cultural stimulation. 'He designed his program in the manner of European health spas of that era. One story claims that he turned away a young member of the Pabst family and his party because of their racy and outlandish clothes and rather forward manner. The doctor reserved the right to refuse rooms on whatever basis he chose: attire, personality, or attitude.

They arrived by steamer, a rigorous trip then, and stayed for the season. 'His early guests were often German friends from Milwaukee, people of 'refinement', perhaps hand-chosen by Welcker. An early guest once saw his portly, bearded figure standing on the porch of the Casino, gazing over his resort, and announcing 'Das ist alles mein!' (This is all mine!) 'The Doctor presided over his exclusive realm with great pride and a firm hand. Welcker? Fish Creek historian Ann Thorp, who researched 'Herr Doktor,' describes him as 'strict disciplinarian, health and fitness enthusiast, gourmet, lover of art, music and nature vigorous, stubborn, domineering, frugal, snobbish.' All had to be shipped in by steamer from cities as far away as Cincinnati. He filled his inns and twelve cottages with only the finest of furnishings - walnut dressers with marble tops, oak and iron beds and a baby grand piano, at which Henriette entertained the guests. Welcker constructed a kitchen and dining hall, where all his guests enjoyed three hearty meals a day.

Locating his new hotel one block east of the Henriette, Welcker named it Welcker's Casino, because of the card and game tables he provided for men in the basement.Īcross the street from the Casino, Dr. The hotel (now known as the Whistling Swan) must have been dismantled before being moved the approximately eighteen miles across the frozen waters of Green Bay. His most unusual project was moving the Lumberman's Hotel from Marinette, Wisconsin, to Fish Creek, in 1907. Welcker surrounded his inn with cottages, and purchased more land around the village, including dock space, a farm to produce food for the inn and property which would later become Welcker's Point in Peninsula State Park. He purchased land from Asa Thorp and constructed what is now the White Gull Inn, naming it after his wife, Henriette.

Falling in love with the tiny village, Welcker may have realized that if he was going to support his family in Fish Creek, he would have to create a business. Then, on a visit to Fish Creek, his life and career would take another twist. In just two years, Welcker, a virologist, had apparently established an excellent reputation and practice in his adopted city. Herman Welcker, German born and educated, who at the age of 45, had emigrated to Milwaukee with his wife and daughter. One resort, already established, was operated by Asa Thorp, founder of the hamlet.Įnter Dr. However, visitors so appreciated the cool air and peaceful beauty that they were willing to make the trip each summer on the Goodrich Steam Line from cities around Lake Michigan. It lacked electricity, telephone and automobiles, and overland access was limited to a rough and tumble stage ride from Sturgeon Bay. In the 1890's, Fish Creek, on Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, was a bustling little town that was changing from a fishing community to a summer tourist village.

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