Nestled on the picturesque shores of Geneva Lake, Lake Lawn Resort stands as Wisconsin’s oldest continuously operating resort, boasting a history that spans over 148 years and is deeply interwoven with the region’s past. This cherished property in Delavan is a vital part of the popular Geneva Lake/Lake Geneva area, offering a unique blend of historical intrigue and modern recreation.
“Many families return year after year, creating a generational tradition that truly touches the heart,” shares Lynn Ketterhagen, the resort’s spirited general manager and a Delavan native. The resort’s lobby features a library showcasing vintage photographs, depicting generations of families enjoying boating and fishing on the lake during warmer months, and even ice boating when Delavan Lake freezes over in winter.
A significant part of Lake Lawn’s landscape includes carefully preserved burial mounds in its central courtyard, sacred grounds belonging to the Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi peoples, whose presence along Delavan Lake dates back to 500 BCE.
Fast forward over two millennia: In 1847, brothers Edmund and Jeremiah Mabie acquired the property, transforming it into the expansive 1,000-acre headquarters for their Mabie Circus, which was then the largest traveling circus in the nation. Legend has it that the Mabie Circus inspired P.T. Barnum to launch his own, positioning Delavan as the birthplace of the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Ketterhagen notes, “There were a significant number of animals in downtown Delavan.”
Among these were Romeo and Juliet, the circus’s star attractions. A statue of Romeo, who is famously said to have tragically ended the lives of five handlers, stands in downtown Delavan. Juliet met her end in the winter of 1864. Faced with frozen ground, her handlers reportedly cut a section from Delavan Lake to bury the departed pachyderm, a story that continues to fascinate.
Remarkably, some of Juliet’s bones were discovered by fishermen in 1931 near the site of Lake Lawn’s current fishing pier. As Shakespeare wisely put it, “She doth teach the torches to burn bright!”
Visitors can experience the area from the Lake Lawn Queen, the resort’s 78-foot cruise boat, offering a perfect introduction to the region, which includes architectural gems designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who hailed from Richland Center, WI.
Delavan Lake itself is an angler’s paradise, teeming with muskie, crappie, walleye, and catfish. While early mornings are dedicated to fishing and water skiing, afternoons buzz with a variety of watercraft, from kayaks and pontoon boats to jet skis. The resort boasts a 261-slip marina, popular with both guests and locals.
Another major draw is Majestic Oaks, an 18-hole golf course measuring just over 6,200 yards (par 71). Originally opened in 1921 and redesigned by Dick Nugent in 1991, Majestic Oaks offers a rewarding resort golf experience, celebrated for its stunning lake views and abundant oak trees. Despite its seemingly generous yardage and wide fairways, the course presents a challenge with its smaller greens and demanding par-3s, several of which stretch over 190 yards from the back tees.
Birdwatchers will delight in spotting bald eagle nests along the fairway of the 18th hole, a lengthy par-4 measuring 463 yards from the tips.
Since Edmund Mabie’s daughter, Anna Mary Phillips, opened the 50-room, Victorian-style Lake Lawn Hotel in 1883, ushering in the era of lakeside hospitality, the resort has seen several ownership transitions. Financial difficulties led to the resort’s closure in December 2010. Reacquired by local investors, Lake Lawn reopened in phases starting in May 2011, with a full relaunch on July 22, 2011. Today, it thrives as a year-round destination, featuring 271 guest rooms and the Harbor Club house, a 20-person capacity accommodation with lake views and its own boat slip, ideal for large families, weddings, and golf getaways.
Each season is marked by unique celebrations, including family festivals, live music, boat tours, and pig roasts. The resort even hosted a lakeside event for 2,000 attendees this past winter.
“We are a remarkably adaptable property,” Ketterhagen states. “We have the flexibility to customize a wide array of experiences.”
With 32,000 square feet of meeting space, not including outdoor lawn areas, and six food and beverage outlets, Lake Lawn Resort is well-equipped for any event. The 1878 on the Lake restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Jared Schultz of Le Cordon Bleu fame, offers an “elevated comfort food” menu, establishing it as a premier dining destination in the Milwaukee area. Signature dishes like the Grilled Georgia Peach Salad and Braised Beef Short Rib are highly recommended.
While most guests still originate from within a 60-mile radius, Ketterhagen notes the resort’s growing appeal, drawing visitors from as far as Texas in recent years.
Gazing out over Delavan Lake from the dining room at 1878, Ketterhagen reflects, “I am blessed with the honor and challenge of ensuring everything we do here, within our power, makes this a wonderful destination, honors its history, and gracefully welcomes new generations of guests.”
New generations to continue sharing its great, enduring stories.
