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

The Charles Wilson House

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, April 9, 2025

1. The Charles Wilson House Marker

Inscription. Built in 1847 by a local merchant, this house was later owned by Chicago newspaper publisher Charles Wilson. During the Civil War, Wilson was an ambassador to England. In the 1870's he helped obtain the railroad link from Chicago that made Geneva Lake's resort development possible. Among the distinguished visitors to this house were President Ulysses S. Grant, Mary Todd Lincoln, and Civil war General Phil Sheridan.

Constructed in the Greek Revival architectural style it is an important landmark not only because it is associated with the pioneer era of Lake Geneva, but also because it is associated with a man who helped make Lake Geneva the important resort community it is today.

Erected by Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 42° 35.52′ N, 88° 26.262′ W. Marker is in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. It is on Main Street (Hwy 50) (Wisconsin Route 50), on the right when traveling west. This home is across the street from the Lake

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Geneva Public Library. It is a private residence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 915 W Main Street, 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: The Lake Geneva Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Lake Geneva (within shouting distance of this marker); The Poppy (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Maple Park (about 700 feet away); Main Street Historic District (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Maple Park (about 700 feet away); The Riviera (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, April 9, 2025

2. The Charles Wilson House Marker

Lake Geneva.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Maple Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

The Charles Wilson House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, April 9, 2025

3. The Charles Wilson House

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, April 9, 2025

4. The Charles Wilson House

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.