| Ellison Bay, Wisconsin | |
| Settlement Type: | Census-designated place |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Wisconsin |
| Pushpin Label: | Ellison Bay |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the state of Wisconsin |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Wisconsin |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Door |
| Subdivision Type3: | Town |
| Subdivision Name3: | Liberty Grove |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1872 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 2.662 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 2.662 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 249 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Coordinates: | 45.2547°N -87.0714°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP Code |
| Postal Code: | 54210 |
| Area Code: | 920 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
Ellison Bay is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in northern Door County, Wisconsin, United States, within the town of Liberty Grove and is located on Highway 42 along the Green Bay.[1] As of the 2020 census, its population is 249.[2] Sur La Baie, one of Wisconsin's largest and most expensive homes, is located nearby.
A Native American name for the bay was Joe-Sahbe Bay, after a son of the Potowatomi Chief Neatoshing, who was also known as Mishicott.[3] Joe-Sahbe means "Feather of the rolling cloud".[4]
The community was founded in 1872 by John Eliasen, a Danish immigrant.[5] Lumber and fishing were important businesses in the 19th century, replaced by fruit growing in the early 20th century, and today tourism is the main business.
Gibraltar Area Schools serves the community. Gibraltar Elementary School and Gibraltar Secondary School are the two schools.[6]
Important attractions include The Clearing, a private center for adult education that was originally established by Jens Jensen, a prominent landscape architect. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other attractions include the Mink River four miles south, Turtle Ridge Gallery,[7] a cooking school, former Church turned Asian art gallery turned coffee shop, and pottery studios. Local restaurants in Ellison Bay are the Viking Grill, home to one of Door County's oldest fish boils, and the Wickman House, a restaurant featuring local produce.
Ellison Bluff County Park includes a scenic hiking trail, a picnic area, and a fenced catwalk. The bluff area has wildflowers and trees. One cedar was found to be over 250 years old.[8] Rough-winged swallows hunt for insects along the bluff. Other birds seen at the park include American redstart, great-crested flycatcher, broad-winged hawk, wood thrush, scarlet tanager, yellow-throated vireo, and pileated woodpecker.[9] 170 acres of the park is protected as the Ellison Bluff State Natural Area.[10]
On July 10, 2006, an explosion leveled the 136-year-old Pioneer Store, killing two vacationers and injuring 13 others. The blast also burned down one cottage and damaged another. It is believed a propane gas leak caused the explosion, which may have resulted from a contractor damaging unmarked underground propane lines.[11]