Explore this historic haunted harbor
The spectral side of Port Washington
Port Washington is one of my favorite Wisconsin harbor towns. I’ve spent many nights out on the lighthouse, visiting the Dark Side of the Moon rock, or camping on the beach. Grabbing lunch with my kids on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, followed by ice cream at The Chocolate Chisel, makes for a great afternoon.
But just offshore lies the wrecks of two steamships that took a total of 100 souls to the their watery graves in 1856. The Toledo broke up during a sudden summer storm while attempting to dock in Port Washington, and the Niagara, a luxurious “palace steamer,” caught fire a little further south off the shore of what is now Harrington Beach State Park. That’s where the bodies washed up, and where you’ll find one of the Niagara’s anchors now.
There’s another anchor from the Niagara near the Port Washington Marina with some plaques describing the fiery wreck, the attempt by captain and future beer baron Frederick Pabst to save the passengers, and, eerily, a photo of a “Frozen Charlotte” doll discovered in the wreck over 100 years later.
The Toledo’s anchor is on display in Port Washington’s historic Union Cemetery, where some visitors have had paranormal experiences.
Watch my Tiktok about Port right here.
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Port Washington Mural
Port Washington just unveiled the recently completed mural by artist James Barany, which includes a depiction of the Niagara engulfed in flames.
Things to do in Port Washington
If you want to make the most of your visit to Port, tie in your visit to the cemetery, the mural, and the anchors with these upcoming events:
Fish Days - July 17-19, 2025
Tall Ships rides - July 24-27, 2025
Cosmic Encounters
The first issue of the Wisconsin Frights zine is here! Within you’ll find 40 pages of Wisconsin strangest UFO sightings and alien encounters, places where you can have extraterrestrial experiences of your own, alien activities, and more.
The zine is a Fright Club member exclusive and available in an extremely limited print run, so join now to your copy before they’re gone.