The Thorp family was very influential in the early growth of Door County. Asa Thorp, a New York cooper by trade, permanently settled in Fish Creek in the mid 1850s. Asa established an early pier, a warehouse, and a sawmill to supply residents and ship captains with supplies and cordwood. Later Asa and his wife Eliza ran a small boardinghouse and hotel for workmen and travelers. Known as the “Founder of Fish Creek,” Asa built this log cabin home in 1849. His log barn is located east of this cabin in Founder’s Square and now serves as a gift shop.