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 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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www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-most-beautiful-libraries-in-the-united-states
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.
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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 O.T. and Charles O. LaSalle.
Father and son builders O.T. and Charles O. LaSalle are closely identified with the history of Lake Geneva having built many of the commercial buildings in town, residences in the original plat of the village, schools, and lakeshore estates.
The family arrived from Canada and by 1870 were living in Lake Geneva. O.T. LaSalle is credited with building the Metropolitan Block designed by William Le Baron Jenney and constructing a boarding house hotel on the lakeshore. He died in a fall from a scaffold in 1892.
Charles constructed the Second Empire house on Main Street for F.A. Buckbee, Central School, the Congregational Church as well as his own Queen Anne home. La Salle Street is named for the prominent carpenters of the day.
Walworth@250 #73
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Beautiful homes
I can see John Powers working on his books in the square glassed in area on top. Or rocking on the front porch for hours. Spent many hours there with JaNelle 'Meyers' Powers John and their girls
Oooh! Can see myself sitting in one of the glassed porches….book and wine in hand. 😀
Iris Belew one is your old home, I think!
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 Park.
Kaye’s Park, a popular summer resort on the south shore of Geneva Lake, was owned and operated by the Arthur Kaye family from 1873 - 1901.
The grounds covered 300 acres with one mile of shoreline. The hotel and cottage accommodated 200 people. A dining hall offered garden fresh vegetables, sweet cream, milk and butter.
Activities included shady walks, bathing in sparkling lake waters, after-dinner dining, fishing, outdoor amusements, and exploring the Wyant museum collections.
Ads proclaimed splendid railroad connections to and from Chicago. The steamer Arthur Kaye awaited all trains at Williams Bay to convey passengers directly to Kaye’s Park.
The Park was sold and replaced by the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy from 1915-1995. Today it is known as the South Shore Club, a housing development.
Walworth@250 #72.
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Thank you, this history of the area has been very interesting
We should bring this kind of resorting back! Those were the days of simple outdoor pleasures and family togetherness! ❤️👍🏼