Take a Cruise to the Victorian Summer Retreat of a Chicago Beer Baron
Black Point Estate was built for Chicago Beer Baron, Conrad Seipp, in 1888 as a retreat, and in that spirit the home remains a place to relax, refresh, and explore. Just like the Victorian VIPs who established the estate, you’ll arrive in style and enjoy stunning Geneva Lake views on your cruise to this magnificent summer home, considered one of the finest examples of period architecture and furniture in the Midwest, and one of the oldest homes in Lake Geneva.
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Black Point Estate and Gardens
Step into Gilded Age elegance at the 1888 Summer home of Chicago beer baron, Conrad Seipp. Guests enjoy a narrated boat ride to the property via the Lake Geneva Cruise Line, a guided tour of the mansion, & time to relax and sip Seipp beer on the veranda.
2026 is the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Over the next 250 days we will be highlighting historic people, places or things from around Walworth County.
Up next is the Toonerville Trolley.
From 1899-1922 the Chicago, Harvard, Geneva Railway ran from Harvard, IL to the end of the line on Fontana’s municipal pier. The electric railroad was nicknamed the “Toonerville Trolley” after a comic strip that depicted a chaotic small-town trolley of that name created by cartoonist Fontaine Fox who often visited Fontana.
The trolley’s difficulty going up the grade to Walworth inspired a cartoon and a story that passengers helped get the car up and over the hill.
The road, completed in 62 working days, began carrying sand and gravel from the pit in Fontana to Harvard. During the summer it ferried passengers and mail; in winter it transported livestock and ice.
The Fontana Gordy's Lakefront Marine Incy's Lakefront Marine Inc is today. The tracks were torn up to support WWII.
The postcard shows a trolley car at the Harvard station.
Walworth@250 #76
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The trolley station building, which was the original Gordy's, still exists. It's located attached to the oldest barn structure in Fontana (formerly Stevenson's III restaurant/bar and now a private residence) Jack Stevenson bought it from Gordy for $1 and had it moved to where it is today up behind St. Benedict's church.
Our last storytellers event of the season is 6-8PM, March 19th at the @Geneva Tap House.
If you have a story to tell we'd love to hear it!
IM us here for details.
As always, these events are free and open to the public so come on out and meet your neighbors one story at a time. ... See MoreSee Less
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2026 is the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Over the next 250 days we will be highlighting historic people, places or things from around Walworth County.
Up next is the Lake Geneva Public Library.
The Lake Geneva Library was built in 1955 and designed by a protegee of Frank Lloyd Wright, James R. Dresser. It is a key feature of downtown Lake Geneva and a popular attraction for both literary and architecture enthusiasts.
Public spaces have always been important to the Lake Geneva community; the first public library was built in the 1850’s and served until 1954, when it was torn down and replaced with the building that currently stands.
James Dresser was the architect who constructed this iteration of the Lake Geneva Public Library. The Prairie-style structure was inspired by the surrounding lake and was designed to show off panoramic views of the lake and offer lots of natural light.
Dresser studied at Wright’s workshop in Scottsdale, Arizona as well as Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. He designed many homes and buildings throughout the Midwest as well as the Minnesota Pavilion at the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York.
The library is the first and so far only building to be designated with Landmark status which means that it can never be torn down.
Walworth@250: 75
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Later the T. C. Smith historic Inn reopened at 834 Dodge St Lake Geneva The Bed and Breakfast has been open 40 years. May 15, 2026 we begin the 41st years of the B n B at 834 Dodge St Lake Geneva surrounded by air b and b"s Breakfast is open for guests only not to the public. We recommend the public have breakfast at Grandma Vicki's or Harry's Cafe
The T. C. Smith House from 865 Main Street was the first property listed on the National Register of Historic Places The original date of the home was 1845 with an addition added in 1875. This originally was my home in 1980 which I shared with my four children. I opened it as a bed and breakfast in 1985 Sold to Keefe in November 2000
Is it his first or the city's first bldg to be designated with Landmark status?
As I often tell my Grands… LG is my “most favorite” library of all! (I’ve worked in & visited many.)
I wish this was my house ❤️
I’ve been there many times. It’s beautiful.
www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-most-beautiful-libraries-in-the-united-states
Phil Lazzara Sr. FYI
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