A sign inside the historic Washington Museum and Visitor Center in Two Rivers.
HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN into a community you’ve never visited and fell totally, absolutely, head-over-heels in love with the place?
For me, that would be Two Rivers, along Lake Michigan in northeastern Wisconsin.
Nearly two years have passed since I toured this community which claims to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae. I love ice cream as much as the next person and savored my sundae at Berners’ Ice Cream Parlor, established in 1881.
Signage on the exterior of the Hamilton Wood Type Museum.
But even more so, I loved the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum across the street, a magnet for artists and former newspaper types like me who view print as art and not just a means to publish news. I wrote about the museum shortly after my family’s visit there in August 2011. Click here to read that post.
A view of Two Rivers from the historic fishing village.
Besides treats and type, Two Rivers wooed me with the Rogers Street Fishing Village. From there I photographed a dreamy, idyllic view of the town complete with a white steepled church in the background. Although I’ve never been to New England, I imagine the scene might be similar to a quaint fishing village there.
Cool signage.
And then there’s the signage in Two Rivers—those details I notice because, well, I tend to notice details. I appreciate artful signage that beckons me.
The exterior of Susie-Q Fish Market charmed me.
Today I long to return to Two Rivers 356 miles to the east. But for this moment, viewing photo memories must suffice to lift my winter weary spirits, to erase the doom and the gloom and the visual of the snow which is falling here again this morning.
I will imagine for this day that I am among the good folks of Two Rivers, in a community where optimism, faith and good news prevail.
BONUS PHOTOS:
A snippet of small town life inside the Washington House.
I was amused by the names of the docked boats.
Dutch Lady
Why would you name your boat Fishing Pox II? Is there a Fishing Pox I?
A simple fish shed sign in the fishing village.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
You captured it perfectly! I/we haven’t been to Two Rivers but have been to Port Washington. Love water situated towns. They have such a great ambiance. The towns along the ocean coast (Atlantic) are my fave….especially Gloucester, MA!! The shoreline gets more “craggy” as one travels up towards Maine. Picture perfect all! So appreciate the opportunity for a mental shift you gave me this a.m. We are “survivors”, aren’t we????? Ha!
I want to return to Two Rivers because I know there’s a lot yet to see in that beautiful town.
I so love quaint villages along shorelines!!!!!
You have done a wonderful job capturing the heart and spirit of the town.
Thank you. I should have posted these pix long ago, but… Today seemed an appropriate day to pull them from my files. Still snowing here.
“A Fish Casket” cracked me up! I love checking out boat names. I like that you shot these photos in B&W; it really suits them.
I had the same reaction to Fish Casket. I original images are color, which I converted to B&W. Sometimes B&W can be more visually powerful than color. Glad you appreciate the switch here.
Fish Casket!!! Great! I loved those pictures—they really captured what I would imagine the heart of this place is. I love fishing towns to begin with and this one looked like it was perfect!!! And home to the ice cream sundae?? Another bonus!
Yes, Two Rivers is a charming community. My family had a tough time, though, getting me away from the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. They wanted ice cream.
I bet!!! I bet they screamed!
“We all scream for ice cream!” Indeed.
My parents lived in a tiny town east of Superior, WI, for about 3 years. I always enjoyed visiting them there and visiting other towns nearby. There’s something about those lake towns that stirs my ocean-bred heart!
I know how you love bodies of water, except for swimming in them. We need to do a Duluth trip again. It’s been too long.
We’ll be up there at the end of the summer – I’m excited already!
Are you going specifically to Two Rivers or to Door County? I’ve been to Door County, too.
No, to Duluth and the area around there. I’ve never been to Two Rivers, but I have been to Door Country; it’s so, so lovely.
Of course, you said that in your comment. I need to listen up and pay closer attention.
Got bored scrolling through images of boats on google until I stumbled across this. The Dutch Lady is actually my grandfathers boat, so I’m glad you found the names of the boats amusing. They can definitely be pretty funny sometimes. To answer your question though, there was indeed a Fishing Pox 1. I believe it sank, hence the name of the new boat being Fishing Pox 2.
Noah, thank you for sharing your insider info about the names of these boats. I wrote this post years ago. But I still remember Two Rivers. Love that town.