Ellison Bay is a census-designated place in northern Door County, Wisconsin, United States, within the town of Liberty Grove and is located on Highway 42 along the Green Bay.Ellison Bay, Wisconsin As of the 2020 census, its population is 249. Sur La Baie, one of Wisconsin's largest and most expensive homes, is located nearby.
History A Native American name for the bay was Joe-Sahbe Bay, after a son of the Potowatomi Chief Neatoshing, who was also known as Mishicott.Indian ancestry comes alive by Jeanette Heyroth, Mishicot News feature of Manitowoc Herald-Times Manitowoc, Wisconsin, March 16, 2003, page 29 and Romance of Wisconsin Place Names by Robert E. Gard and L. G. Sorden, New York: October House, Inc. 1968, page 37 Joe-Sahbe means "Feather of the rolling cloud".The Wisconsin Archeologist, Volume 19, No 2, page 51
The community was founded in 1872 by John Eliasen, a Danish immigrant.History of Door County, Wisconsin by Hjalmar Rued Holand, Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing, 1917, pages 372–373 and Door County Links, Grand View Condominiums, (Archived September 19, 2013) Lumber and fishing were important businesses in the 19th century, replaced by fruit growing in the early 20th century, and today tourism is the main business.
Education Gibraltar Area Schools serves the community. Gibraltar Elementary School and Gibraltar Secondary School are the two schools."Gibraltar Area Schools, Gibraltar Area School District, (Archived July 14, 2014)
Demographics
Attractions Important attractions include The Clearing, a private center for adult education that was originally established by Jens Jensen, a prominent landscape architect. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other attractions include the Mink River four miles south, Turtle Ridge Gallery, a cooking school, a former church turned Asian art gallery turned coffee shop, and pottery studios.
Ellison Bluff Ellison Bluff County Park includes a scenic hiking trail, a picnic area, and a fenced catwalk. The bluff area has wildflowers and trees. One cedar was found to be over 250 years old.Ellison Bluff County Park, co.door.wi.gov Rough-winged swallows hunt for insects along the bluff. Other birds seen at the park include the American redstart, great-crested flycatcher, broad-winged hawk, wood thrush, scarlet tanager, yellow-throated vireo, and pileated woodpecker.Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail - Lake Michigan Region by the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership, waypoint 8, Ellison Bluff County Park & State Natural Area 170 acres of the park is protected as the Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.Ellison Bluff (No. 378), Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
2006 explosion On July 10, 2006, an explosion leveled the 136-year-old Pioneer Store, killing two vacationers and injuring 13 others. The blast also burned down one cottage and damaged another. It is believed a propane gas leak caused the explosion, which may have resulted from a contractor damaging unmarked underground propane lines."Explosion Kills Two Guests at the Cedar Grove Resort in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin; Likely Caused by Propane Leak"
Climate
Gallery
References
Sources Around the Shores of Lake Michigan: A Guide to Historic Sites by Margaret Beattie Bogue (1985, University of Wisconsin Press)
External links Video tour of Ellison Bluff County Park