The Country House Resort
The Country House is an independent Door County, Wisconsin resort owned and operated by the Zaug family since 1989. Nestled on 27 wooded acres on a rolling bluff above 1,100 feet of private shoreline on Sister Bay, the resort offers a peaceful, secluded atmosphere off the main highway but less than a mile from downtown Sister Bay. The resort includes 46 rooms and suites, most with private water view balconies, and accommodates adults and children age 13 and older. Designated dog-friendly rooms are available by contacting the resort directly and making a reservation in advance. The full resort is open May through October with reduced accommodations and amenities November through April.
History
The Country House Resort is a historic hotel originally built in 1907 by Dr. Sebald Fichtner, as the first homestead in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. The virgin pine timbers used to construct it were cut and brought in from Rock Island (just off the peninsula’s northern tip) by a group of experienced local lumbermen. Considering the infrastructure in those days, this was quite a feat.
Dr. Fichtner bought the property from Ingebret Torgerson, who settled the land between 1857 and 1858 as one of Sister Bay’s first settlers. An old story goes that Torgerson built a meager shack at the top of the hill and claimed that property as his farm. When his supplies ran short, he learned from Jasper Morefield, a Norwegian settler at nearby Ephraim, that the trail to the south leading to Sturgeon Bay was only a foot path, and that the distance was over 40 miles. Torgerson instead took a skiff and paddled even further south to Green Bay, following the shoreline, to purchase supplies at Hamilton Arndt’s Trading Post. The round trip took three weeks. The Town of Liberty Grove was officially established on April 5, 1859 at Ingebret Torgerson’s home, presumed to be at his property now known as The Country House Resort.[1]
The 11 members of the Fichtner family came to Sister Bay in 1901 aboard a passenger ship called the “Caroline” of the Goodrich Line. In 1912, when the business section of Sister Bay was destroyed by fire, the Fichtners offered housing for misplaced vacationers staying in the Pleck Hotel. Dr. Fichtner used part of the building for his medical practice until his death in 1930.
In 1931, Tessie Fichtner Garwood, youngest daughter of Dr. Fichtner, bought the property from the estate and used the mansion as a summer home.
In 1946, it was sold to Erwin Bastian and the mansion was remodeled into The Country House. It was operated as a resort until 1954, when county officials, in dire need, asked Bastian to convert the building into a nursing home. He did so and ran it as such until May of 1969, when due to his failing health and new state regulations made it cost prohibitive to remain in business.
It was purchased in 1971, opening in 1974 after more updates, as The Country House Motel by John and Pat Telesz, then later owned and operated by Jerry and Pat Ploor.
Since 1989 through today, remodeled and enlarged, it is owned by the Zaug family, and has once again become an extensive resort, still known as The Country House Resort with 46 rooms and suites covering a wide mix of amenities and price points.
Location
Located south of Sister Bay on Sunnyside Road, one-quarter mile from the highway for easy access that still offers total seclusion. This breathtaking setting overlooking Sister Bay and within walking distance provides a perfect location.
References
1. Country House Resort - <ref>https://www.doorcounty.com/business-directory/country-house-resort/ </ref>Destination Door County. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
2. Country House Resort - <ref>http://www.doorcountynavigator.com/country-house-resort</ref>. Door County Navigator Retrieved 19 August 2021.
3. Sister Bay Village History – <ref>https://sisterbayhistory.org/village-history/</ref> Retrieved 19 August 2021.
4. Township of Liberty Grove Founding - <ref>https://libertygrove.org/town-history/</ref> Retrieved 19 August 2021.
External Links
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