Brussels, Southern Door County's Historic Settlement

Among the farms and fields in southern Door County is one of the largest Belgian settlements in America.  A few of the folks still speak the native languages (French and Walloon) of their grandparents.

A large number of the red brick farmhouses that dot the highway can be linked to the devasting Peshtigo Fire of 1871.  During the fall of that year the logged bayshores woods was a tinderbox due to a hot, dry summer.  On October 8th, one day before the great Chicago fire, strong winds fanned flames creating an immense pillar of fire that was described as a tornado of flames.  Before the disaster was complete 1200 people had dies and whole villages were destroyed.

The fire left about 5,000 homeless Belgian immigrants.  But with help from neighbors to the south the hearty settlers rebuilt, replacing their wood framed homes with brick structures that would be better able to withstand a second fire.

Brussels holds its annual Belgian Days festival the second week in July.  A great time to explore the community, enjoy a Belgian sausage known as Tripe, and Belgian pies.