For nearly 50 years, centered on the turn of the 20th century, a succession of boatyards in Racine churned out a bewildering variety of watercraft ranging from rowboats, canoes, motorized pleasure-craft, and tugboats to palatial yachts. Some were sailboats and some were powered by steam or gasoline. Many inventors and naval architects got their start working for this industry including Fred W. Martin, S. C. Johnson, and Pierce Engine Company. Here then, is a brief, pictorial time-capsule of what was once a major industry in the United States, located in Racine, Wisconsin.

Steve Wheeler is a mechanical engineer who retired from IBM in 1997 after 30 years of service. A Racine, Wisconsin native, now a resident of Colorado, he spent many years sailing on Lake Michigan where he developed a love for wooden boats. Steve is an amateur historian who concentrates mostly on the history of Racine boat-building. An award-winning model boat builder, he writes extensively about his hobby for a variety of maritime history and ship-modeling publications.

A beautiful portrayal of a bygone era and a bygone industry, wooden boat-building has never been written about with such elegance and clarity. This book is a treasure for all ages, who long to sail, to build and to study naval architecture of the 20th century, in Racine, Wisconsin.

Racine Heritage Museum, 701 S. Main Street, Racine, WI 53403-1211
(262) 636-3926 for additional copies or copyright permission.