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.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Get the Best Deal in History
Unlock incredible value for historic year-round fun!
All Wisconsin Historical Society members enjoy unlimited free admission to our 11 historic sites and museums, exclusive merchandise and special event discounts, a complimentary annual subscription to the Wisconsin Magazine of History and more. Join at the Family level and above for added benefits and discounts at over 1,200 organizations nationwide!
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 Odell Typewriter Company.
An early typewriting machine was invented in Lake Geneva by the Odell brothers and John Burton –patented in 1899. At today’s prices the machine would cost about $550…from the Montgomery Ward 1895 Catalog.
Production moved from Lake Geneva to Chicago while the company headquarters moved to Momence, Illinois (south of Chicago.)
Walworth@250 #76.
Feel free to share! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Geneva Lake Museum has an original Odell on display in the Map Room.
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 #75.
Feel free to share! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
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
Comment on Facebook