Roger Street Fishing Village in Two Rivers is adding more information about a special coast.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) added new panels inside its education building, explaining shipwrecks in Lake Michigan as part of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Rogers Street Fishing Board Vice President Jerry Thiede explained that the coast starts just north of Manitowoc County and goes down to Port Washington.
Those who tour the fishing village can now explore the coast with an interactive panel.
“Supposing people want to know something about the Rouse Simmons,” he described, “They just touch that (the panel), and the Rouse Simmons and the area here comes up around Rawley Point and Two Rivers. And more information about the Rouse Simmons.”
Thiede explained that the national shipwreck coasts started in oceans, while the Great Lakes weren’t thought about.
The first shipwreck coast on the lakes was in Alpena, Michigan, with Two Rivers being the second.
The State of Wisconsin started working to create the coast in the 2000’s.
“It was about an eight-year process,” he explained. “Getting all kinds of agreement, all the different cities involved, and support from the governor and from the legislature. So then it was finally agreed to under the Walker Administration, but then they held up for a little while. And then it was when Governor Evers was in there that it became approved.”
The guide says the fishing village is very happy to get the display and tell the stories of shipwrecks and why many are found off Rawley Point.
The new NOAA panels showcase two specific shipwrecks: the Rouse Simmons and the Steamer Vernon.
Rogers Street also has other buildings displaying various artifacts, including some from shipwrecks that have entered their collection.
The museum is closed for the season right now, but will reopen in May and stay open until October.
