Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic Lake Geneva
Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 19, 2024
1. Historic Lake Geneva Marker
A History of Lake Geneva
The Geneva Lake area has been inhabited since at least 8000 B.C., beginning with Paleo-Indians and later the Oneota culture followed by the Potawatomi Indians. The first recorded explorers included Col. John Kinzie in 1831 and surveyor John Brink, who named the lake "Geneva Lake" in 1834. The first recorded settler was Christopher Payne in 1836. The village of Geneva was incorporated in 1844 and became the city of Lake Geneva in 1886. The arrival of the railroad in the early 1870's combined with the Chicago Fire in October of 1871 led to Lake Geneva becoming a tourist destination for wealthy Midwesterners, earning the name "Newport of the West." Visitors over the years have included Mary Todd Lincoln, generals Phil Sheridan and William Sherman and President Ulysses S. Grant
National Register District
a. Maple Park National Historic District
b. Main Street National Historic District
National Register Properties
1. Metropolitan Block (1874) (Now the Landmark Center)
2. T.C. Smith House (1880)
3. Redwood Cottage, Emily Baker Residence
4. Younglands (1899) (Now Stone Manor)
5. Younglands
this page online
6. Horticultural Hall (1912)
7. Riviera (1932)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. 42° 35.501′ N, 88° 26.234′ W. Marker is in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Wisconsin Route 50) and Cook Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street. Marker is about 200 feet east of the entrance to the Lake Geneva Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake Geneva WI 53147, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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,
Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 19, 2024
2. Historic Lake Geneva Marker
A west-facing photo, with the Lake Geneva Public Library and Main Street in the background. The blue marker is one of many around Lake Geneva showing a map of the area.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Charles Wilson House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lake Geneva Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street Historic District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Riviera (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Maple Park (about 700 feet away); The Poppy (about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Maple Park (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 within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The marker includes a map of the center of the city of Lake Geneva, highlighting the two historic district referenced on the marker.
Regarding Historic Lake Geneva. The Col. John Kinzie referenced on this marker was a Chicago politician and the son of the John Kinzie
Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 19, 2024
3. Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake can be seen in the background of this photo taken a few yards from the marker (which is off-camera). The library is on the right side, while a canteen erected by the local American Legion post is on the left.
John Brink, a native of Upstate New York, is a surveyor who assisted in surveying much of Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and Eastern Iowa. He later served as surveyor for McHenry County, Illinois, which abuts Walworth County, and laid out the plans for Crystal Lake, Illinois, about 30 miles south of here.
Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, circa 1882
4. "Bird's eye view of Lake Geneva, Walworth Co., Wis. 1882"
An 1882 map of Lake Geneva
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 920 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
