Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Whiting House & Hotel Geneva
Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 17, 2024
1. The Whiting House & Hotel Geneva Marker
Across Geneva Lake's outlet to the north at the foot of Broad Street stood Lake Geneva's first resort hotel, the four story Whiting House. It was built by David T. Whiting in April, 1873 and burned to the ground on July 9, 1894.
The Hotel Geneva was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built on the old Whiting House site in 191l The long, low "Prairie Style" building opened in August, 1912 and served as Lake Geneva's largest resort hotel for almost six decades. It was demolished in January, 1970.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1970.
Location. 42° 35.405′ N, 88° 26.088′ W. Marker is in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. It is on Wrigley Drive 0.1 miles south of Main Street (Wisconsin Route 50), on the right when traveling north. The marker is next to a bridge the leads Wrigley Drive over the inlet mentioned in the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area:
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Andy Gump (within shouting distance of this marker); The Riviera (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Main Street Historic District (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Main Street Historic District (about 700 feet away); Historic Lake Geneva (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Mill Race (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lake Geneva Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Charles Wilson House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Geneva.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Maple Park (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Frank Lloyd Wright Trust: Lake Geneva Hotel.
Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 18, 2024
2. The Whiting House & Hotel Geneva Marker
The site of the two buildings can be seen behind the marker.
2. Lake Geneva's Lost Hotel.
At The Lake magazine: "However, in 1969, Borg and Grunow sold the property again, this time to a Kenosha businessman with plans to raze the building. Some of the interior was salvaged the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee received more than 100 panes of leaded art glass windows from the hotel, some of which are on long-term loan to the Lake Geneva Public Library. The Geneva Lake Museum also has a few window panes, as well as some of the Wright-designed wall sconces that once graced the hotels walls. But over the winter of [1969-1970], the once-great, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hotel Geneva was reduced to a pile of rubble."(Submitted on February 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 18, 2024
3. The Whiting House & Hotel Geneva Marker
The marina is in the background, and behind it Geneva Lake.
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
4. "Geneva Hotel, Lake Geneva, Walworth County, WI"
A historic photo of the Hotel Geneva, from the Library of Congress
Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, circa 1882
5. "Bird's eye view of Lake Geneva, Walworth Co., Wis. 1882"
The Whiting House appears as landmark #12 on this 1882 map of Lake Geneva.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 927 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
