Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
catching anachronistic residences, cautious development (a modicum of ersatz New Eng-
land does exist), a state park, and sites of historical interest.
History
The lake was originally settled by Potawatomi Indians on its western cusp. Big Foot State
Park is named for a Potawatomi chief—bleakly ironic since the Potawatomi were forcibly
relocated to Kansas. Minor milling days lasted until the Iron Rooster steamed into town
on freshly laid tracks, carrying Chicago's elite for a summertime respite. The Great Fire
of 1871 cemented the city's status as a getaway when it became a retreat for Chicago's
refugees. So many magnificent estates lined the shores it was dubbed “Newport of the
West,” a moniker still applicable today.
Lake Geneva is one piece of the Geneva Lake area mosaic. Actually composed of four
lakes—Delavan,Comus,Como,andGeneva—theareaformsaroughtriangle,withthecity
of Lake Geneva to the east, Delavan 10 miles to the west, and little Fontana to the south on
the western cusp of Geneva Lake. Williams Bay is also included, along the northern peri-
meter of Geneva Lake. Lakeless little Elkhorn lies to the north, outside the immediate area.
With a surface area of 5,262 acres (7.6 miles long by 2.1 miles wide) and a depth of 135
feet,GenevaLakeisoneofthelargerlakesinsouthernWisconsin.Spring-fed,itwascarved
outbytheMichiganglacierduringtheultimateglacialepoch.Todayonecan'thelpbutlove
itsloopymixofrestoredVictorianandlow-keyresort,naturalsplendor,and,mostofall,its
accessibility in circumference to the public.
