This uninhabited island in Door County Wisconsin was supposed to be a luxurious playland for an early 20th century millionaire.

Chester Thordarson was an Icelandic-born inventor that eventually came to live in Chicago. Thordarson was responsible for hundreds of electrical patents including those that help run our power grids today.

 

Washington Island
Washington Island
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This made Thordarson a VERY rich man. And what does a rich man want more than anything? To get away from all the poor people in the world.

That's what Thordarson had in mind when he purchased a rocky, uninhabited island off the coast of Door County, Wisconsin.

Alltrails / Ashly Burton
Alltrails / Ashly Burton
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Thordarson intended on building a massive compound that he could use to entertain and escape the rest of the real world.

Alltrails / Bvrioan Chaille
Alltrails / Bvrioan Chaille
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Unfortunately, Thordarson's vision was never completed. Complications with construction, and the fact that Thordarson seemingly lost interest in the project, means that the unfinished compound still stands today.

Alltrails / Brian Chaille
Alltrails / Brian Chaille
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Rock Island is now one of the many tourist attractions in Door County. It takes two separate ferries to reach Rock Island, but it is worth the trek.

Alltrails / Argelyn Bautista
Alltrails / Argelyn Bautista
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One of the highlights of Rock Island is a massive boathouse that still stands today. It is large enough to house 2 50-foot yachts and the walls are adorned with old Icelandic runes.

Destination Door County
Destination Door County
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