Steam columns rise dramatically from the Procter & Gamble paper mill in Green Bay, Wisconsin, illuminated by the orange and magenta glow of a midwinter sunrise. Captured from the air in January, the image shows the vast industrial complex along the Fox River, with frozen rooftops and intricate piping systems sharply defined against the cold morning light. The steam, tinted by the low sun, becomes a striking visual emblem of the city’s manufacturing heritage and the energy demands of Wisconsin’s paper industry.

The Nicolet Mill complex in De Pere, Wisconsin, stands alongside the Fox River, a remnant of the region’s historic paper-making industry that once defined the economy of the Green Bay area. The long, brick mill structure—now operated by American Nippon Papers—dates back to the early 20th century, when Wisconsin’s waterways powered dozens of mills along the Fox River. Still active today, the facility reflects the enduring legacy of papermaking in the Midwest, blending vintage industrial architecture with modern manufacturing extensions visible on the river-facing side.