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Black Point Estate Tour

Black Point is a 13 bedroom, one bathroom, 20 room Queen Anne style Victorian home that has been in the Seipp Family for 120 years. It was built in 1887 as a summer "cottage" for Conrad Seipp, a German immigrant, who became the largest and most innovative brewer in Chicago. Conrad was able to enjoy the house and gardens for only two seasons before his death. Black Point Estate covers almost eight acres and 620 feet of Geneva Lake shoreline. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture and has one of the most intact collections of Victorian furnishings in the Midwest. The most popular and authentic way to visit Black Point is by way of boat, just as family and friends did in a bygone era. Lake Geneva Cruise Line sails from May thru October, departing from the Riviera Docks in downtown Lake Geneva. Perfect for individuals or groups comfortable ascending stairs, relieved by landings, from the dock to the house. Call Lake Geneva Cruise Line for reservations. 800.558.5911

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8 stops on a Gilded Age tour of Lake Geneva, known as the ‘Newport of the Midwest’ 

Located 75 miles from Chicago, the picturesque Wisconsin waterfront is still home to dozens of opulent 19th-century mansions

By Amy Bizzarri & Roadtrippers

The Gilded Age was an era of intense economic change, when old-school values clashed with new ways of thinking about long-standing social and cultural issues. It was a period when massive fortunes were made—and lost—as the U.S. moved from an agricultural-based to an industrial economy. Extending from roughly 1870 to 1900, the “Gilded Age” was a term coined by author Mark Twain to emphasize the nation’s many social problems concealed only by thin, gold gilding. 

The era’s over-the-top, conspicuous consumption extended into the vacation sphere, too: In the hit HBO series The Gilded Age , the New York social scene of the period moves to the posh resort town of Newport, Rhode Island , in the summer months, where extravagant mega-mansions still guard the seafront. The Midwest boasts a Gilded Age gem of its very own: Lake Geneva , Wisconsin.

Situated just 75 miles away from Chicago, Lake Geneva became a coveted vacation destination for the rich and famous in the late 19th century. Early Windy City magnates built enormous, magnificent summer estates along the picture-perfect lakefront. Typical of the era’s focus on climbing the social ladder at all costs, families tried to outdo one another, hiring the best architects and designers to build lavish homes, each one more grand than its predecessor (one recently sold for $36 million ). Soon, Lake Geneva became known as the “Newport of the Midwest.”  

It wasn’t until after the Civil War, when so many found fortune in the fast-growing city of Chicago, that wealthy families began constructing many of the mansions that now line the lake.  

In 1871, train service launched from downtown Chicago straight to the Lake Geneva Depot. The same year, when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed 3.3 square miles of the city, including more than 17,000 homes and buildings, many Chicago families packed up and moved to the resort town.

“The start of the Gilded Age coincides with the Great Chicago Fire,” says Pamela S. Meyers , who penned a series of historical romance novels set in Lake Geneva. “Families were essentially looking to a place to keep their families safe while the city underwent a massive rebuilding effort.”

Many of the mansions are still standing today. Most are accessible via the Lake Geneva Shore Path , a 26-mile-long trail that circles the lake, passing through the magnificently landscaped lakefront gardens of the grand homes. It takes about 10 hours to walk the entire length of the trail, so it’s recommended to hike in segments. Public restrooms and water fountains can be found at path access points, including the VISIT Lake Geneva Information Center, Edgewater Park , Reid Park , and Big Foot Beach State Park . Wear sturdy shoes as the trail is only partially paved and can be slippery in some segments. Dogs are welcome to hike along, so long as they’re leashed. Use this downloadable map of the Shore Path from the Lake Geneva Visitors Bureau to get around. 

1. Stone Manor

Located at 880 S. Lake Shore Drive, Stone Manor was built in 1899 by Otto Young, a German immigrant who found his fortune in Chicago real estate. The seven-level estate, now made up of six luxury condominiums, was the largest built on Lake Geneva and boasts a grand ballroom and rooftop garden complete with a swimming pool.  

2. Black Point

Built in 1888 for Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp, Black Point ‘s elegant lakefront landscaping includes 74 different species of evergreen trees. The estate’s interior remains largely unchanged and still features much of its original furniture and decor; it’s open for tours from May 1 through October 31. 

3. Alta Vista

The Italianate Alta Vista estate was designed by famed architect Howard Van Doren Shaw on a stretch of the lake nicknamed “millionaire’s row” for its especially opulent mansions. Built for Colonel William N. Pelouze, founder of the Pelouze Scale and Balance Company (whose scales were exclusively used by the USPS), Alta Vista was also owned by the Vick family (the makers of VapoRub). 

4. Maxwell Mansion

Built in 1855 by prominent Chicago surgeon and real estate magnate Dr. Philip Maxwell, the Maxwell Mansion was initially named “The Oaks” in honor of the centuries-old trees surrounding the estate. Today, it’s a boutique hotel with its own bespoke cocktail lounge. “The Maxwell Mansion brings me back in time, to another era,” says Meyers. “I began writing books set in the area to highlight the rich history of Lake Geneva and its magnificent mansions. I lived in the Maxwell Mansion when I was a young child. Until it was restored to its original splendor, it was divided into apartments. Our family lived in the former servant’s quarters.”

5. Yerkes Observatory

In addition to the opulent homes, several other Lake Geneva attractions offer a glimpse of the Gilded Age. Considered the “Birthplace of Modern Astrophysics,” the circa-1897 Yerkes Observatory ‘s 40-inch refracting-type telescope was the largest in the world when it was dedicated in 1897. Once operated by the University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the observatory closed in 2020. However, visitors to Lake Geneva can still stroll its porch, which lies just beyond the lakefront George Williams College of Aurora University . 

6. Mailboat ride

Lake Geneva is one of the few towns in the U.S. where mail is delivered by boat via “Mail Jumpers.” Since 1916, when area roads were limited, dedicated USPS workers have been “jumping” from the passenger-carrying mailboat to the many shorefront mailboxes. Book a mailboat ride to experience this timeless and useful tradition. Cruises depart from the historic Riviera Boat Dock, a three-armed pier with an adjacent pavilion that houses shops; jazz greats including Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong once played at the dance hall upstairs.  

7. Baker House

The circa-1889 Baker House hosts an afternoon high tea service that includes a tour of the mansion. At 17,000 square feet, the 30-room Queen Anne mansion features massive mantles and elegant stained glass throughout. The exterior shingles were made with wood from Californian redwoods.  

8. Lake Geneva

The absolute gem of Lake Geneva, however, is the spring-fed lake. At 8 miles long, geologists believe that the 135-foot-deep lake is a filled-in kettle , formed from a receding glacier. The public Riviera Beach is conveniently located near the town center’s many shops and restaurants. Admission is only charged during business hours (9 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day) when lifeguards are on duty.  

Meet the Authors

Amy Bizzarri

Amy Bizzarri is a Chicago-based freelance writer focused on food and travel. She's the author of four books focused on Chicago history.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.

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Things to Do in Lake Geneva, WI - Lake Geneva Attractions

Things to do in lake geneva, explore popular experiences, tours in and around lake geneva.

Family Fun Food Tour

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Black Point Estate and Gardens

• Price Range: $$
• Largest Group Capacity: 50 people
• WebsiteAlternate: www.blackpointestate.org
• Sunday Hours: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Monday Hours: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
• Tuesday Hours: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
• Wednesday Hours: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
• Thursday Hours: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
• Friday Hours: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• Saturday Hours: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
• TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60022-d665610-Reviews-Black_Point_Estate-Lake_Geneva_Wisconsin.html

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$8.25 million Lake Geneva home for sale is second-most expensive listing in Wisconsin

LAKE GENEVA — What can you buy with $8,250,000? You could purchase the second most expensive home on the market in Wisconsin.

The home at N1959 Solar Ln., Lake Geneva costs $8,250,000. It features 7 beds, 6.5 baths, and is 4,969 square feet. Plus, it has 160 feet of lake frontage. There are three floors with the basement turned into an entertainment area and primary rooms on the first and second floors.

As far as $8 million homes for sale go, this Lake Geneva estate is actually pretty cozy and quaint. It's not opulent or overly luxurious. It's an upscale lake house that's perfect for large gatherings.

The realtor for the property said that the ideal buyer for this home is someone with a large family.

“Family with a lot of kids or a family with children and grandchildren because of the seven bedrooms, all the living space, multiple living areas for parents, kids to go to throughout the house," Patricia Forbeck the listing agent said.

So what makes this home so expensive then? It's the lake views and 160 feet of lake shoreline that the home offers. It has a spacious backyard to host family and parties. Plus, it comes with a 200-foot pier. Inside the home, every room has spectacular views of the lake.

Watch the video on this $8,250,000 home in Lake Geneva

What's more, even though the home was built in 1925, the current owners did a major renovation when they bought it in 1977. They did 2 more renovations and added on to the home since then.

“Given the frontage, the location on the south shore side of the lake very desirable, sunsets the bedrooms the bathrooms have all been updated. It’s aligned with other sales that took place last year," Forbeck said.

• Previously profiled properties include a  Mukwonago palace ,  the most expensive condo in Wisconsin , the ' Malibu of the Midwest ', a Mequon mansion , a  castle for sale in Watertown  among many other homes featured.

As of the publishing of this story, it's the second most expensive listing in Wisconsin behind a $10 million home in Door County. Both of those homes pale in comparison to the Aloha Lodge in Lake Geneva that was on the market in 2023. In October, the home was listed for $30 million. It's no longer listed for sale.

According to Zillow , there are only about 20 homes on the market in Wisconsin for $4 million or more. In Lake Geneva, seven homes are listed for $3 million or more. Clearly, Lake Geneva is a host real estate market.

“But I will tell you 2022, 2023 there have been quite a few sales that were over $8 million," Forbeck said.

For more information or if you'd like a tour of the home, reach out to realtor Tricia Forbeck .

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$8.25 million Lake Geneva home for sale is 2nd most expensive listing in state

Posted: March 27, 2024 | Last updated: March 27, 2024

The second most expensive home for sale in Wisconsin is a $8,250,000 mansion in Lake Geneva that features 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and is 4,969 square feet.

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