Skip to main content

click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Record

918 MAIN ST

Historic Name:
Lake Geneva Public Library
Other Name:
Lake Geneva Public Library
Reference Number:
67435

Property Location

Location (Address) 918 MAIN ST
County Walworth
City/Village Lake Geneva
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section

Property Features

Year Built 1954
Additions 1963, 1970
Survey Date 1985
Historic Use library
Architectural Style Usonian
Structural System
Wall Material Brick
Architect James R. Dresser
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments As of 1998, there are no plans to either relocate or rehabilitate this library. Lois Geiss is Assistant Director. [A].

"Circa 1954. Prairie Style. Designed by James P. Dresser, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a modernist which style led to the ranch house of today. Note the general horizontal lines with an emphasis on the gently sloping roof with large overhang. The windows are arranged in strips. Chimneys are wide and there is geometric ornament. The entire lakeside has a wide expanse of glass incorporating angular lines and contributing to a lovely restful reading area.

This lakefront property was deeded to Lake Geneva is 1894 by Mary D. Sturges, the wife of George Sturges, an early settler. The adjoining land was to fashioned into a public park "to be used forever as such". The present library replaces a small house that had served as the library since 1894. The first Librarian received a salary of $2.50 a week. The new library was dedicated on December 12, 1954. Nearly ten years later a room was added to the east. Two more additions incorporating a reading area, magazine display, and room for music and art materials were completed in 1970." A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne, The Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, 1993.
Bibliographic References [A]. 1998 phone conversation with Lois Geiss, assistant library director. A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne by the Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, Spring 1993. http://www.wiscnews.com/news/local/obituaries/article_da8f374c-2b28-11e0-be6d-001cc4c002e0.html A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva, WI, Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Commission, 2015.

National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings

National/State Register Listing Name Maple Park Historic District
National Register Listing Date Jun 17, 2005
State Register Listing Date Jan 21, 2005
Contributing Yes
Permalink
Permalink

Architecture & History Inventory

The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.

Learn More about AHI

Contact Us

Questions?

Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!

Email Us

Attribution

For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier. 

The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.

For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.

 

Access Property Records

Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.

Schedule Appointment

Property Record
308 MAXWELL ST

308 MAXWELL ST

67495

Located in Lake Geneva, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
1024 GENEVA ST

1024 GENEVA ST

67204

Located in Lake Geneva, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
711 MAIN ST

711 MAIN ST

67406

Located in Lake Geneva, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
1122 GENEVA ST

1122 GENEVA ST

67211

Located in Lake Geneva, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
1133 GENEVA ST

1133 GENEVA ST

67251

Located in Lake Geneva, Walworth County

View Property
Property Record
519 MADISON ST

519 MADISON ST

67376

Located in Lake Geneva, Walworth County

View Property
Go to top
Wisconsin Historical Society
Search Dropdown