- I'm in Door County on a tour of the area
via a bright red trolley.
Our tour is well underway
and one of the most fascinating things we're learning
is the important role lighthouses have played
through the years here.
- Let's put on a show. Let's have some fun.
- When it comes to being in the know,
John Berns is the expert.
- We'd have to talk about dangerous waters to find out
that there really was a need for lighthouses.
People do a little homework about Door County.
It's one mass of limestone ledge here.
So because of that rocky shorelines,
reefs all over the place, dangerous waters.
One day you're safe and the next day
you run into where the shoals are.
The rocks are much higher.
So we definitely had a need for lighthouses up here.
- That reputation of dangerous waters
is exactly how Door County got its name.
- We have a very dangerous body of water
that is quite famous here called Death's Door.
That's how Door County got its name
way back when Wisconsin divided up
into sections, counties.
It was 1852, I believe, 1851, possibly.
They were looking for a name that was fitting up here.
Well, that dangerous body of water
between the mainland and Washington Island
was called "Death's Door."
So, what fits? Door County.
I just--
You couldn't wait to schedule a trip to Death County.
So we're quite pleased that they made the choice
because of the dangerous waters: Door County.
Much better fit.
- A lot of history to discover on the trolley tour
with a few fun stops along the way.
- We go to some of the most treasured jewels in Door County.
We start out at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse,
fully restored to the 1880s and 1890s.
From there, after getting a great history lesson,
we go across to the other side of Door County,
the Lake Michigan side.
And we go to the Baileys Harbor Range Lights.
We would love people to come see us
and learn what range lights are.
There's a great history lesson to be had there.
So then, we finish up our day at the wonderful Cana Island
where we actually transport people
over to a almost nine-acre island.
So quite varied.
Each stop is very different.
Each stop is very unique.
I enjoy doing that at least three, four days a week.
- One of a kind stops,
all with a well-informed tour guide leading the way.
- Everybody, the road to the left is Peninsula Players Road.
- Welcome to the Baileys Harbor Range Lights.
[playful, energetic jazz]
- There we go. Looking good, guys!
Looking good!
- Definitely a unique way
to see all that Door County has to offer.