Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Historic Railroad Depot

Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 19, 2024

1. Historic Railroad Depot Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1890, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad built a new passenger depot to replace an earlier wood frame building. The structure consisted of three separate red brick buildings, including a baggage house, awaiting room and ticket office and an express house, all under 197 ft. tile roof. This classic depot was the terminus of the fabled "Millionaire Special," the train used by wealthy Chicago owners of Lake Geneva mansions. The long waiting platform, later covered by a full canopy, could handle the unloading of a 12 coach train. The depot was later painted green and white. Passenger service ended on August 11, 1975, and the depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. In the pre-dawn hours of Friday, August 15, 1986, the historic Lake Geneva Railroad Depot was razed.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 42° 35.827′ N, 88° 26.156′ W. Marker is in Lake

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Geneva, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. It is at the intersection of Williams Street (County Route H) and North Street, on the left when traveling north on Williams Street. 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, 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: Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Maple Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Veterans Buried in Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Maple Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Charles Wilson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Main Street Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away);

Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 19, 2024

2. Historic Railroad Depot Marker

a different marker also named Main Street Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Geneva.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Maple Park (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. There are few remnants of the old train line, although it can still be seen in a few places in the map of Lake Geneva, including Williams Street's diagonal route as well as a walking path southeast of here. Another similar marker that memorializes the old railway may also be located somewhere else along the old railway.

Also see . . .
1. All Aboard for Lake Geneva!. A railroad history of Lake Geneva, from Visit Lake Geneva (Submitted on February 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Steam, Steel & Smoke: The History Of Train Travel To Walworth County. A history of the railroad in Lake Geneva, from At The Lake magazine (Submitted on February 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Historic Railroad Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 19, 2024

3. Historic Railroad Depot

A close-up of the two historical photos included on the marker; the top one is marked as being from 1901.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,168 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.