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 Emma Seipp Schmidt (1868-1942)
Emma, Conrad and Catherina Seipp’s oldest child, was the second owner of Black Point.
She carried on with many of the family traditions established by her mother. (Catharina’s only son had died earlier.) Emma and her husband, Otto Schmidt, had three children: Ernst, Alma and Tessa.
Emma was a fine pianist. Her music was enjoyed in the evenings at Black Point. She supported Ravinia Festival in Illinois and Holiday Home Camp on Geneva Lake.
Walworth@250 #91
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Uncle Ernie as we called him was always a part of the sailing school in the 50's. Following along in the launch "Nepenthe" Great experience!!
Her son was a very important figure in the history of the lgyc.
I love reading all of this history. Thank you!
Love seeing members of multi- generational Geneva Lake families commenting here! Thank you for this project, Black Point Estate and Gardens! So good to see! 🌊
To everyone we fooled today, thanks for being good sports about it!
To be 100% clear, there was never a bridge being constructed from Kaye's Park across the lake to Yerkes Observatory. It was a zip line.
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I knew all along it was a zip line.
You got me!
You always have the best! 😀
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 Kaye's Folly.
In the summer of 1896, Arthur Kaye attempted to build a bridge from his resort, Kaye's Park, to the newly built Yerkes Observatory.
Construction on the bridge was halted after just 13 days when the project engineer, Lowell Spencer, realized the depth of the lake would make it impossible to erect the necessary support columns.
The bridge was dismantled in 1900 and the stone from the column was used for shoreline stabilization.
Walworth@250 #91
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Nice try..
That’s the deep part of the lake
Wow! Thanks for sharing!
Got me! Took a minute
April Fool’s Day?
Great photo.
I thought it would end with being a pedestrian lookout.
This was the best Thanks for the laugh!!!
Good one!!
Wow...never heard that story either
That's a new one on me ...and I live in what was once part of Kayes Park.
I never knew this. Wow! I guess they didn't need the approvals we need today to start building such a structure
I have never heard this before!
At Lake Geneva one can always see the other side unless there's zero visibility fog. The land that can be seen behind the bridge is a fair distance
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