Frank D. Barker Shipwreck Added to State Register
The 137-foot schooner in Lake Michigan has become the 100th shipwreck named to Wisconsin’s historic registry.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Historical
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The Frank D. Barker shipwreck in Lake Michigan has officially joined the State Register of Historic Places. The discovery marks the 100th underwater site to receive this state designation.
Why it matters
The vessel represents a unique design once used for the Great Lakes grain and coal trade. Its preservation offers insight into 19th-century maritime commerce and specialized canal transport.
The 137-foot two-masted schooner rests under 24 feet of water near Rowleys Bay. Built in 1867, the ship had an original value of $8,000, which equates to roughly $250,000 in today's currency.
The players
Wisconsin Historical Society
This agency serves as the official state entity responsible for administering the State Register of Historic Places.
Capt. Matt Olson
He is the individual who discovered the Frank D. Barker shipwreck in July 2025.
The details
After Capt. Matt Olson discovered the wreckage in July 2025, maritime archaeologists conducted follow-up dives to verify the vessel's identity. The ship, which stranded after striking a limestone outcropping in 1887, was specifically designed to navigate the locks of the Welland Canal.
Timeline
The vessel was built in 1867 in Clayton, New York.
The ship stranded after hitting a limestone outcropping on October 1, 1887.
Capt. Matt Olson discovered the shipwreck in July 2025.
The Frank D. Barker joined the state historic register on September 25, 2026.
Culture Shift
This preservation effort reflects a broader movement to document and protect the maritime history submerged within Great Lakes waters. It mirrors the trend of elevating underwater archaeology sites as essential components of regional cultural heritage.
The registry listing provides formal state recognition for the site, which may limit future disturbance of the wreck by divers or boaters. Residents and visitors interested in local history can use this information to learn about maritime sites located near Door County.
The takeaway
The addition of this 1867 schooner highlights how modern exploration continues to unearth regional industrial history long thought lost. Enthusiasts can support ongoing preservation by reporting new potential findings to the state society rather than disturbing underwater sites.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's maritime heritage at the Wisconsin Historical preservation archives.
More information
View detailed mapping and historical data on the Wisconsin shipwrecks information portal.
Live Poll
Should your state government prioritize the formal preservation of local historic shipwreck sites?
