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 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's visit to Williams Bay.
In October, 1965, Dr. King spent three days at Conference Point Camp organizing what would become a blueprint for the Chicago Freedom Movement.
Dr King and Al Raby, of the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations, Chicago, met with 200 civil rights leaders from Chicago and Alabama.
King termed the upcoming campaign in Chicago as a pilot project for the civil rights campaign in the North.
Throughout the conference, King condemned violence and stressed non-violence for the Chicago movement. “The non-violent movement must be as much directed against the violence of poverty, which destroys the souls of people as against the violence of segregation,” he said.
Walworth@250 #78
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Tonight!!!!
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 Alexander Button.
Alexander Henry Button was an early settler and founder of Lake Geneva. Button was a skilled carpenter and helped build many of Geneva Lake’s iconic homes and structures.
Button owned 16 acres on the east end of the lake, now known as the Button’s Bay area. (The location is shown on this closeup of an 1882 mansion map.)
Button also acted as a teacher in the towns of Linn and Bloomfield, as well as the town clerk for Linn (for 33 years!)
Alexander Henry Button passed away in 1918 at the age of 91 and is buried in Lake Geneva’s Oak Hill Cemetery.
Originally the bay was an Indian campsite; the Potawatomi dug edible clams in the sand and mud here, using the shells for making beads and ornaments.
Walworth@250 #77
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I'm a Button by birth and we now have two Alexanders in my generation in honor of our many times great grandfather
Just love reading these!
I remember the Buttons family had a greenhouse there when I was a kid in the ‘50s. Linda (Buttons) and Dean Yetter were well-known Hebron residents and good friends.
Joe and I rented the upstairs of the house on Curtis St. that Charlie Buttons owned and lived in the downstairs when we married in 1971. The house had beautiful ornate walnut trim. Our rent was $90/month, including utilities. 😊
Great story of the Buttons family. Love the map too! 💕
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