About Birchwood Lodge

The best of everything in Sister Bay is within walking distance when you stay at Birchwood Lodge. Take a short walk in any direction to bars, unique shops, specialty foods and grocery stores. Stroll along the marina in the downtown area where the beautiful waterfront park beckons you to swim and sun at the beach. Rent a kayak or a paddle board, take a cruise on the bay, or sit down to to one of the many events and concerts at the outdoor park pavilion. You can’t go wrong when you choose Birchwood Lodge for your Door County lodging.

Located on 5-acres on top of the hill in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin, The Birchwood Lodge offers 46 (all non-smoking) rooms, each including a huge deck, two person Jacuzzi ® whirlpool, a fireplace and either a full kitchen or kitchenette.

For a larger group our spacious and comfortable Birchwood Village Homes are ideal for vacationing families or for business travelers. All of our accommodations are within walking distance to the quaint village of Sister Bay, home to a waterfront village park and beach, a variety of shops and restaurants.

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The History of The Birchwood Lodge Starts with the Koessl Farm
The Sister Bay Historical Society has generously provided the Birchwood Lodge with information about the Koessl farmon which the lodge was developed in 2001. You may want to view historic displays of the Koessl farm at The Corner of the Past Museum (Highway 57 and Country Lane Road). Please view our photos below.

Photo above circa 1920s. There was no electrical service at this time at the Koessl farm. Notice the pig barn to the right of the silo and the small window in its eaves. The chickens are near the water trough which is accessible from both sides of the fence. Fencing around the entire property kept the animals from roaming.
Photos from left to right: Photo circa 1950s is of Edward Koessl, Sr., his wife, Maria (Sipple) and her sister in front of the old farmhouse. Center: Photo circa 1940s. The original silo, approximately 12′ x 20′, was blown over some time in the late 1940s, losing its top. That’s Donna Koessl in the foreground. Right: Photo circa 1930s. Towering windmill next to the well house. A pipe carried water to the barn. The man in the photo is unidentified.
Photo circa 1930s. Papa Koessl’s 1931 Chevy truck. In its day, the vehicle was used to haul ice off the bay and transport gravel for building the new silo.

Photos from left to right: Photo circa 1911. Harvesting oats. Right photo circa 1918. Edward Koessl and his wife Maria cultivating potatoes.
Photo circa 1990s. At this time, the Koessl barn was over 100 years old. Note the new and larger concrete silo, now 36′ tall. That’s the farmhouse in the background – still there today.

Photos from left to right: Mike Kahr and his crew readying the barn building for its move to the Sister Bay Historical Society’s Corner of the Past historic site at the south end of Sister Bay. Right photo: Olive and Edward J. Koessl on the occasion of their 40th Wedding Anniversary, June 6, 1973.