Drive through the small, charming village of Ephraim in Door County, Wisconsin, and you can't miss it. One of the most recognizable sights in Door County, Anderson's Dock.
The Anderson brothers, Aslag and Halvor, in the late 1850s, built their namesake dock to ensure that goods would have a way to be exported from Ephraim. As summer visitors started pouring into Door County at the turn of the century, the dock became a standard port of call for steamships. By the 30s, roads had replaced the need for ships resulting in the deterioration of the building.
Sailing on Lake Michigan was dangerous. Once they had safely reached the dock, sailors started a tradition of carving their names and boats into the warehouse's side. The sailors left a mark that they were there or let their loved ones know that they were safe.
Today, the Village of Ephraim owns both the dock and the warehouse, which also houses The Hardy Gallery. The tradition continues with tourists adding their names or messages to the building. There are many hellos, declarations of love, and remembrances of loved ones who have passed, making the dock visually appealing and memorable.
When visiting Door County, stop by to add your hello to the world.
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