Kohler-Andrae State Park
Encyclopedia
Kohler-Andrae State Park comprises two adjacent Wisconsin
state parks located in the town of Wilson
, a few miles south of the city of Sheboygan
. They are managed as one unit. Terry Andrae State Park, established in 1927, and John Michael Kohler State Park, established in 1966, total 988 acres (4 km²). The parks contain over two miles (3 km) of beaches and sand dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan
, with woods and wetlands away from the water. The Black River flows through the parks. The park protects threatened plants.
Julius Andrae and Sons' Electric Supply Company. He purchased 92 acres (37.2 ha) in 1924 from a retired fisherman and later added another 30 acres (12.1 ha). He built a two-story house which overlooked Lake Michigan in the present campgrounds. This, their second house, was used to entertain guests. Mrs. Andrae hired forestry consultants to reforest their property. After Mr. Andrae died in 1927, Elsbeth Andrae donated the 122 acres (49.4 ha) to the State of Wisconsin in memory of her husband Terry. Terry Andrae State Park opened in 1928.
In April 1966, Kohler Company
donated 280 acres (113.3 ha) immediately north of Terry Andrae State Park to the state of Wisconsin. It was named John Michael Kohler
State Park in memory of the founder of the company.
The 402 acres (162.7 ha) were expanded to almost 1000 acres (4 km²) by acquisitions of neighboring properties. Although the two units are considered separate adjacent properties, they are managed as a single unit by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
. A citizen's support group called Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park was formed in 1987 to raise funds which are used for nature programming and development projects such as a handicap-accessible cabin.
include fishing, boating, and swimming. There are no boat launching ramps or docks at the park. The lake contains dozens of species of fish including trout
and salmon
. Inland activities include hiking and biking.
The park contains two nature trails and three hiking trails. The Creeping Juniper Nature Trail is a half mile long trail on a cordwalk through the rolling sand dunes by Sanderling Nature Center. The Woodland Dunes Nature Trail is a one mile (1.6 km) trail through forested rolling dunes. It contains interpretive signs to identify and describe trees. It is accessed by the campgrounds. The Dunes Cordwalk has a half mile north and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south portions on a wooden cordwalk through rolling dunes parallel to Lake Michigan. The Black River Trail is a 2.5 miles (4 km) long grass trail at the northwest section of the park. It is accessed north of the park on County Highway V. It passes through open fields, woodlands, and evergreen forests. Horses and mountain bike
s are allowed on the trail. Black River Marsh Boardwalk is a quarter mile boardwalk through a wetland. It is accessed near site 48.
The park is open all year. Winter activities include winter camping in 28 electric sites, sledding / toboggan
ing, cross country skiing and snowshoe
ing.
Facilities at the park include a bath house, campgrounds, roads, and trails. There are 105 family and two group campsites in the park as of 2008. Thirty more family campsites are scheduled to be opened in 2009. One campsite consists of an authentic Native American
tepee which is available for rent.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
state parks located in the town of Wilson
Wilson, Wisconsin
Wilson is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Wisconsin:*Wilson, Dunn County, Wisconsin, a town*Wilson, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, a town**Wilson , Wisconsin, an unincorporated community*Wilson, Lincoln County, Wisconsin, a town...
, a few miles south of the city of Sheboygan
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
-Airport:Sheboygan is served by the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, which is located several miles from the city.-Roads:Interstate 43 is the primary north-south transportation route into Sheboygan, and forms the west boundary of the city. U.S...
. They are managed as one unit. Terry Andrae State Park, established in 1927, and John Michael Kohler State Park, established in 1966, total 988 acres (4 km²). The parks contain over two miles (3 km) of beaches and sand dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
, with woods and wetlands away from the water. The Black River flows through the parks. The park protects threatened plants.
History
The land which is now Terry Andrae State Park is sandy, so it could not be used by early European immigrants for growing crops or grazing cattle. Frank Theodore (Terry) Andrae was the president of Milwaukee'sMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
Julius Andrae and Sons' Electric Supply Company. He purchased 92 acres (37.2 ha) in 1924 from a retired fisherman and later added another 30 acres (12.1 ha). He built a two-story house which overlooked Lake Michigan in the present campgrounds. This, their second house, was used to entertain guests. Mrs. Andrae hired forestry consultants to reforest their property. After Mr. Andrae died in 1927, Elsbeth Andrae donated the 122 acres (49.4 ha) to the State of Wisconsin in memory of her husband Terry. Terry Andrae State Park opened in 1928.
In April 1966, Kohler Company
Kohler Company
'The Kohler Company is a manufacturing company in Kohler, Wisconsin best known for its plumbing products. Kohler also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators.-History:...
donated 280 acres (113.3 ha) immediately north of Terry Andrae State Park to the state of Wisconsin. It was named John Michael Kohler
John Michael Kohler
John Michael Kohler was a prosperous industrialist and mayor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Kohler founded what later became known as the Kohler Company, a large producer of bathroom and kitchen products.-Early life:...
State Park in memory of the founder of the company.
The 402 acres (162.7 ha) were expanded to almost 1000 acres (4 km²) by acquisitions of neighboring properties. Although the two units are considered separate adjacent properties, they are managed as a single unit by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is an agency of the state of Wisconsin. Its purpose is to preserve, protect, manage and maintain the natural resources of the state. The WDNR has the authority to set policy for itself and to recommend regulations for approval by the State Legislature...
. A citizen's support group called Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park was formed in 1987 to raise funds which are used for nature programming and development projects such as a handicap-accessible cabin.
Amenities
Activities related to Lake MichiganLake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
include fishing, boating, and swimming. There are no boat launching ramps or docks at the park. The lake contains dozens of species of fish including trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
and salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
. Inland activities include hiking and biking.
The park contains two nature trails and three hiking trails. The Creeping Juniper Nature Trail is a half mile long trail on a cordwalk through the rolling sand dunes by Sanderling Nature Center. The Woodland Dunes Nature Trail is a one mile (1.6 km) trail through forested rolling dunes. It contains interpretive signs to identify and describe trees. It is accessed by the campgrounds. The Dunes Cordwalk has a half mile north and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south portions on a wooden cordwalk through rolling dunes parallel to Lake Michigan. The Black River Trail is a 2.5 miles (4 km) long grass trail at the northwest section of the park. It is accessed north of the park on County Highway V. It passes through open fields, woodlands, and evergreen forests. Horses and mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
s are allowed on the trail. Black River Marsh Boardwalk is a quarter mile boardwalk through a wetland. It is accessed near site 48.
The park is open all year. Winter activities include winter camping in 28 electric sites, sledding / toboggan
Toboggan
A toboggan is a simple sled which is a traditional form of transport used by the Innu and Cree of northern Canada. In modern times, it is used on snow to carry one or more people down a hill or other slope for recreation. Designs vary from simple, traditional models to modern engineered composites...
ing, cross country skiing and snowshoe
Snowshoe
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over the snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation"....
ing.
Facilities at the park include a bath house, campgrounds, roads, and trails. There are 105 family and two group campsites in the park as of 2008. Thirty more family campsites are scheduled to be opened in 2009. One campsite consists of an authentic Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tepee which is available for rent.
Sanderling Nature Center
The Sanderling Nature Center is located in the northern area of the park. Exhibits focus on the plants and animals found in the park, the natural history of the Great Lakes, and the park's history. The center is open from May through October, and features live animals on display, an auditorium, and an observation deck with a view of Lake Michigan.External links
- Kohler-Andrae State Park - official site
- Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park