Pictorial of our 30 State, 1,000+ photos, zero small talk

Above: The world largest piano motif




Historic Grafton, Wisconsin
Holy Grail of Blues Music



This spot is the Holy Grail of Blues Music

If you are into Blues Music, you may know that this is the unlikely home of Paramount Record Company

Ask people about some of the most important cities in the history of blues music and you'll undoubtedly hear answers like Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis or Clarksdale. What you're not as likely to hear uttered, however, is Grafton, WI. But with a rich history of recording, manufacturing and distributing music from some of the most important and influential blues musicians of the 20th century, such as Charlie Patton, Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ma Rainey and Skip James, Grafton is every bit as important as some of the better known blues cities in the nation.


Add this fact with having Les Paul, the dude who invented the electric guitar, being born 30 miles away in Waukesha WI. and you do have one of the most important area in Rock and Roll history. This is something to remember when you are listening to that outdoor concert this summer!

Waukesha is doing a multi million dollar museum to the Les Paul connection to R&R history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramount_Records
http://www.concertlivewire.com/honey1.htm

Historic Grafton, Wisconsin




















Downtown Grafton

Cedarburg's Hamilton Historic District













Below The Hamilton Schoolhouse was built in 1887 and was used to educate children in first through eighth grades until 1958





Hamilton Cemetery windmill



Cedarburg's Hamilton Historic District

In 1847, New Dublin changed its name to Hamilton, in honor of William Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamilton.

With stagecoach travel on the Green Bay Road and the existence of a saw mill, other businesses sprang up. There was a Turne Hall, apothecary, black smith shop, a stage stop for travelers, two taverns and a smoke house, all were built before the grist mill was built in 1853. When the railroad came through Cedarburg in the 1870s Hamilton’s importance declined..

"In 1974, Hamilton was listed as an Historic Site by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Then in 1976, a large portion of the Hamilton area was declared an Historic District and placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places." Cedarburg Website

Cedarburg's Hamilton Historic District

Sunset
Lions Den County Park

Directions: Take Hwy 60 east to Lake Michigan, turn left (north), the Lion's Den is about 3 miles south of Port Washington. East of intersection at County "C" & Lakeshore Drive.

This Park is undiscovered & unspoiled, as it just opened in 2006. This park is 120 acres featuring 100 foot bluffs has almost a mile of shoreline. Looking north, you can see the Port Lighthouse & looking south, you can see the tall buildings in Milwaukee. Unlike the beautiful Harrington Beach and Kohler Andre lakeshore State Parks, this scenic Ozaukee County Park has no entrance fee.


One mile south of Port Washington, WI



Port Lighthouse in the distance



Milwaukee skyline in the distance










Stairs to the Beach




Lion's Den Wetland Area



Ghost Town
Near the Lions Den is Ulao, a Ghost Town. Ulao was one of the areas first towns and had a pier that went out into Lake Michigan to load timber onto steam ships.The 105 year old Ghost Town tavern and a few pilings of the pier remain as the only remaining remnant of the historic Port Ulao village.

Unlike the dry Western States, where you will see whole towns preserved, Wisconsin climate is tough on old buildings. Once the roof is gone, time and weather will quickly destroy the rest of the building.

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http://www.town.grafton.wi.us/History/origins.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_the_United_States#Wisconsin
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2003/September_03/09082003_11.asp

1880 Lighthouse
Port Washington, WI






















Stairs going down from the 1880 Lighthouse
http://www.ci.port-washington.wi.us/surveyoverview.htm

Art Deco Lighthouse
Port Washington, WI

Saint Mary's Church
Port Washington, WI



The original St. Mary's church was a small frame church built in 1849. It was replaced with a stone church in 1860. This limestone edifice was erected in 1882.

The church was completed at a cost of about $70,000

105 year old
Ozaukee County Courthouse
Port Washington, WI

Historic Port



Pebble House
Port Washington has 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 a historic building known as the "Pebble House".

The Fisherman
Port Washington, WI

Port Washington has the first man-made harbor in North America
How Cool is that.




Sport Fishing Paradise



Port Washington boasts one of the largest charter fishing fleets on the Great Lakes, with fishing successes documented by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources records.


http://www.seahawkfishingcharters.com/
http://www.portwashingtoncharterfishing.com/

Port has a great self-guided walking tours past the many historic buildings and along the marina.



North Shore
If the summer weather is hot, most times it will be much cooler near Lake Michigan!

http://www.ewigsmokedfish.com/history.html
Smoked Fish
Port Washington, WI

Bernie's Meat Market
Port Washington, WI

http://www.berniesfinemeats.com/shop/default.asp


Ellen Edmonds Shoe Company Factory Store

Bandshell
Port Washington

Deere
Allis
GS

Waubeka,
Birthplace of Flag Day



Bernard J. Cigrand was born on Yankee Hill in Waubeka, Wisconsin on October 1, 1866. He was the youngest of six children of Nicholas and Susan Cigrand who had settled and married here a decade earlier after immigrating to this country from Luxembourg in Northwestern Europe.

OZAUKEE COUNTY PIONEER VILLAGE
This is a restoration village by the Ozaukee County Historical Society. The village includes authentic homes, barns, public buildings and museum. Admission is charged. Open 12 noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Pioneer Village is located on HWY O, between Saukville & Waubeka, WI



Stone House on HWY O , near Pioneer Village

Waubeka Firehouse
Circa 1904

Our Lady of the Rosary Church
In sleepy, Waubeka WI

Cedar Valley Cheese
Hwy 57
Belgium/Random Lake, WI
http://www.village.belgium.wi.us/

Ranking as the 30th highest point in the state, and the highest peak for a radius of 50 miles. Climb the 178 stair church tower lookout, for a fantastic view.

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http://www.holyhill.com/
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/scenic/maps.htm
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/kmscenicdrive/ScenicDriveDirections.pdf edit
http://www.onwisconsin.com/harley100/jul03/cliffride_holyhill.asp
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=154948





















Overlooking two river systems, the Oconomowoc on the east and the Little Oconomowoc to its west. Both rivers are connected to a major grouping of lakes just south of the Washington County line. The whole area is filled with woods and marshes. Directly to the east of Holy Hill lies Glacier Hills County Park.





Did You Know?

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Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail
http://www.nps.gov/iatr/ is one of eight National Scenic Trails and one of only two contained entirely within a single state, the other being the Florida Trail.
Great Hiking Trail, especially at Holy Hill area l