Lake Geneva History

(Historic Lake Geneva by Bob Stewart)

The Lake Geneva area's rich history created today's year round vacation destination. Geneva Lake, Lake Como, Lake Delavan & other lakes comprising the Geneva Lakes are originated from the two great Michigan glaciers; 30,000 & 14,000 years ago. Geneva Lake is at the southern end of the Kettle Moraine, measures 8 miles long, 2 miles wide, 144 feet deep & is approximately 5200 acres, making it the largest lake in the region. It is fed by natural aquifers traveling for hundreds of miles from Lake Superior. The lake basins & surrounding moraine of rolling gravel hills provide a magnificent setting for vacation or business travel.

Indian mound builders preceded the peace-loving Potawatomies. Potawatomi Indian Chief Big Foot and his tribe of about 500 occupied what is now Williams Bay. Although Big Foot's royal residence was in Fontana, the Bay was a popular camp of his and was considered the tribe's official arrow and spear head production center. In 1831, these "Keepers of the Council Fires" were vividly described in Juliette Kinzie's diary entitled "Waubun" which means "break of day". Col. Kinzie and entourage from Fort Dearborn were the first white persons to see our Geneva Lake. In 1836 the tribe was decimated by small pox and eventually the United States government sent the remaining inhabitants to a Kansas reservation.

In the meantime, white visitors were flocking to the area. In 1836, John Brink, a government surveyor, claimed the land at the outlet of the White River for $1.25 an acre. The Geneva Lake communities of Fontana and Williams Bay were also settled in 1836. Development at the western end of the lake was strictly agricultural and both villages remained primarily rural trade centers until the last quarter of the nineteenth century.

Lake Geneva, on the other hand, with its great potential for water power from the White River outlet, developed quickly. By 1840, the village contained two hotels, a sawmill, a grist mill, a distillery, two general stores and a school. Three churches were started and a temperance society was organized. The growing number of early settlers included carpenters, a mason and a plaster, a bricklayer, cooper, wagon maker and blacksmith. A major flood in June of 1858 washed away the outlet of the lake and caused destruction of dams, bridges and roads. All were rebuilt with superior quality products.

The prospect of a railroad stimulated growth in the village, but several early attempts to link Lake Geneva to the rest of the state by rail failed. Not until 1871 would a permanent railway lead to the village. During that time new businesses continued to be developed, with physicians and lawyers being drawn into the area.

During the decade of the 1860's. education became a focal point. A public school was built in Maple Park. The Lake Geneva Seminary was founded for young ladies, an a boy's boarding school was established by one of the local ministers.

The settling of the area was greatly accelerated after Chicago's 1871 fire by the influx of the families of wealthy businessmen. An increased interest in boating and fishing for recreation took place at this time. Competitive sailing goat a boost when Lt. General H. Sheridan visited Lake Geneva in the summer of 1874. He was an outstanding commander of the Union Calvary during the Civil War and was anxious to see a race firsthand. The sailors were eager to race and thus the prize for the first race held that summer was named "The Sheridan" after him. Julius S. Rumsey won that first Sheridan race, the silver model of his Nettie, and three trustees to keep track of it, became the nucleus of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. The Sheridan Prize has been handed out consistently over the years, although there is no record that General Sheridan ever returned to see the race again.

In 1886, Lake Geneva officially changed its status from village to city. The railway was extended from the city to Williams Bay, making the north side of the lake more accessible to vacationers. Several youth camps were also established in the lakeshore west of Williams Bay, including George Williams College Camp and Holiday Homes. Several of theses facilities still thrive, running outstanding educational and recreational programs throughout the year.

1890 marked the debut of modern utilities in the area. A well was drilled and a waterworks building was constructed near the White River. Although it successfully furnished running water, it did not provide anticipated electric power. It wasn't until 1896 that electricity finally came to Lake Geneva streets and buildings. Replica fixtures dotting the street downtown Lake Geneva mark the centennial anniversary of electrical power and recall the ambiance of turn-of-the-century lampposts which first brought light to the city's center.

Although the World's Colombian Exposition of 1893 had Chicago as its official site, it nevertheless had long-lasting effects on the Geneva Lake area. Three buildings from the fair were transferred to Geneva Lake Estates. Sadly the only remaining vestige of these is the gatehouse of Ceylon Court. Henry Ives Cobb, an architect who designed a domed building for the Exposition, was chosen as architect for the renowned Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay. The new observatory, which was built during the 1890's, served as an additional cultural stimulus for the area, as staff members and their families became involved in social and educational activities.

By the turn-of-the-century, all of the property on the Geneva Lake shore had been developed into estates, private resort parks, or private camps, except for the public beaches and parks in the three communities of Lake Geneva, Williams Bay and Fontana. The communities had also grown accustomed to the annual increase in population and activity associated with the "summer people". the status of the Geneva Lake area as a summer resort of the wealthy had a positive effect on the local economy. Summer visitors contributed to the communities in many lasting ways. In 1911, they built Horticultural Hall, now the host site for many area art fairs, horticultural displays and special events. It has been the center of many summertime floral shows, social affairs and art exhibits. Located downtown Lake Geneva, its huge, beamed Great Hall and unique parquet floor overlook a magnificent grassy courtyard.

At the turn-of-the-century. the area's first water safety patrols were initiated. Today, they still safeguard our lakes and, on special occasions such as Winterfest, provide rescue demonstrations and airboat rides.

Local residents maintained an excellent quality of life working in a variety of occupations, including farming. Dairy farming had long been a significant part of Walworth County's agricultural production. Gentlemen farming also developed on many of the estates. Just as they competed at sailing and annual flower shows, gentlemen farmers and their families maintained model farms that attracted d competitions, visiting dignitaries and media coverage. The area's many working farms still provide s strong agricultural economy in the area.

World War I and the Great Depression has a sobering effect on the people of the Geneva Lake area. Nevertheless, tourism prevailed through the popularity of automobile travel, new highways, and tourist courts and cottages. The Geneva Lake area today boasts numerous fine hotels and resorts, charming inns, vintage bed & breakfasts, cozy lodges and outstanding vacation rentals.

The Geneva Lake area continues to attract visitors seeking relaxation, recreation and outstanding accommodations. With communities that offer quaint downtown districts and numerous specialty shops, the area boasts a unique bland of rural charm, historic significance and urban services. All of these features combine to make the Lake Geneva area one of the Midwest's top leisure and convention destinations.