Port Washington has one of the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in Wisconsin, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.The Port Washington Visitor Center is itself in the historic Edward Dodge House, also known as the "Pebble House."
The Edward Dodge House was built out of cobblestone in 1848 It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Currently, it serves as the Visitor's Center for the city of Port Washington, Wisconsin.The three-story brick courthouse was built in 1854 and originally served as jail, housing for the jailer, county offices and courtrooms.
My photos above
With a natural harbor at the mouth of Sauk Creek, the city became a port on Lake Michigan. The city exported cord wood, wheat and rye flour, bricks, and fish and hides, among other things. In 1870, the city saw major improvements in transportation. Not only was the railroad approved to extend through Ozaukee County, the harbor was substantially improved. The dredging that occurred resulted in the first man-made harbor in North America.
In 1896 Delos and Herbert Smith, brought their commercial fishing business to Port Washington as that harbor afforded them the use of a steam powered fish tug. There, the Smith family would call Port Washington home to their family business. Smith Bros., as it was called, grew to a fleet of fishing tugs, fish wholesale, whitefish caviar, burbot oil, fish retail (markets), restaurants, and a hotel.
The Port Washington power plant operated by Wisconsin Electric Power Company, now known as We Energies was established in the area. In 1943 the company stated that the Port Washington Plant was “the most efficient steam power plant in the world.” The coal-fired plant received shipments of coal primarily by lake boat from its beginnings in 1935 until 2004 when the coal-fired boilers were taken out of service. The plant has since been converted to generate electricity from natural gas. The end of coal shipments also ended the use of Port Washington as a commercial port. The harbor is now used almost exclusively by recreational boaters.
Port Washington Harbor And Coal Dock - Historic Photo Title: Port Washington Harbor And Coal Dock Port Washington Wisconsin (WI),
The fine Colonial Revival style Smith Bros. Restaurant Building was built by the brothers in 1954 to house their very well known seafood restaurant. The previous restaurant was located on a portion of the site of the present building, but was destroyed by fire in 1953, necessitating the construction of the present building. Two-stories in height and clad in red brick, the Smith Bros. building is rectilinear in plan and is one of the largest buildings in the downtown and perhaps the best known to visitors. Designed by Milwaukee architect William J. Ames, the building is a fine, highly intact, late example of the Colonial Revival style. The resturant is now closed and a retail store with a coffee shop are now in this building.
To the south, across the west slip, is a simple Astylistic Utilitarian form building built by the Smith Brothers between 1922 and 1938 as a net storage and workshop facility for their commercial fishing operations. The Smith Brothers and their descendants have probably been the best known of Port Washington's commercial fishing families over the years, thanks in part to the very well known restaurants they have operated in conjunction with their other operations. This highly intact building has become the most visible resource associated with the commercial fishing history of Port Washington. The recent demolition of the two adjacent buildings, including the Smith Bros. smoke house building, now means that it is the last remaining intact historic building associated with Port Washington’s commercial fishing heritage. This was located across a section of the harbor from our hotel. This photo is of the restored building.
These are four are internet photos. These three show the shanty before it was restored.
For more about Port's Historic City Center Tour Go To:
http://www.ci.port-washington.wi.us/history/walkingtour/HistoricCityCenterTour.htm