The Geneva Lakes area boasts many fine attractions. From its beaches at Library Park and Big Foot State Park, to the specialty shops and galleries people enjoy spending time golfing, boating, hiking the Potawatomi Trail, going on lake cruises, eating great food, and receiving wonderful lodging services. Why settle for a water park when you can enjoy an entire water front filled with activities, special events and fun? Fudge shops are sweet and food fests are fabulous! The Lake Geneva area is alive with a wide range of unique activities throughout the year.
A Brief History
18,000 years ago, the last of many glaciers retreated to the North after having gorged-out and depressed our lake basin, and leaving a moraine of rolling, gravel hills.
The ancient Oneota Tribes of the lost Hopewell Culture Indians lived here as long ago as 1,000 B. C. They built effigy mounds in what is now Library Park. Eventually, the migrating forest tribes, who were hunters and fierce warriors, drove out the earlier inhabitants. Subsequently, these later Indians were removed by the United States Army to Kansas following the Black Hawk War of 1831-32. Questionable treaty arrangements in 1833 laid the foundation for the eviction of Chief Big Foot and the local Potawatomi Tribe in 1836.
John Brink, a government surveyor, laid claim to the waterfall power and adjacent land at the White River outlet to the lake in 1835. He named the lake after the lake in his home in Geneva, New York. The Indians had called it Kish-Way-Kee-Tow, meaning clear water.
Prior to the civil war, Lake Geneva was on the reverse route to the Great Lake ports for slaves escaping from Southern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky. After the war, the town became a resort for the wealthy Chicago families. These families began construction of the many mansions on the lake, and Lake Geneva became known as the Newport (RI) of the West. Visitors included Mary Todd Lincoln and Generals Sherman and Sheridan. The Chicago Fire of 1871 caused many Chicago families to move to their summer homes on the lake while the city was rebuilt.
Fun Facts
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Geneva Lake is the second deepest lake in Wisconsin (5,262 acres, 135 feet deep, 21 miles around, 2.1 miles wide, and 7.6 miles long).
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The city is Lake Geneva, the lake is Geneva Lake.
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Lake Geneva was the home of Sidney Smith, creator of the Andy Gump comic strip. A statue of Andy Gump stands in Flat Iron Park.
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Producers/creators William Bell and Lee Phillips developed the soap opera "The Young and the Restless" while living in Lake Geneva, and set the popular daytime drama in the nearby town of Genoa City.
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The famed "Dungeons & Dragons ® Role-playing Game" was founded in Lake Geneva. "Dungeons & Dragon's" is a registered trademark of TSR, Inc.
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Hugh Hefner chose Lake Geneva as the home for the nationally acclaimed Playboy Club & Resort. Now the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.
