In Lake Geneva, history is a tourist attraction

Lake Geneva's historic Maple Park neighborhood is an example of what
made the city one a Distinctive Destination for 2009. via walworthcountytoday.com

Lake Geneva, Wis., has been named one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2009 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This year's list was unveiled Jan. 13 at a news conference in the city's historic Horticultural Hall.

What put Lake Geneva on the list, according to Trent Margrif, Wisconsin field office director with the national trust, were many of the things residents take for granted.

Lake Geneva, about 90 minutes northwest of Chicago, has a distinctive downtown, as well as its unique sense of place, which sets it apart, he said.

The trust receives 155 to 200 applications each year, and selects 12 for the annual list, which began in 2000.

Margrif said the community can be proud to know it stands on equal footing with some of the best travel destinations in the county.

For example, Lake Geneva often is called the Newport of the West, after Newport, R.I., which also has been on the list.

"In fact, they could just as easily call Newport the Lake Geneva of the East," Margrif said.

"You're known as a travel destination, and much of that has to do with the historic resources you have," Margrif told the audience that gathered for the announcement.

That history is just another draw to this tourist area.

"It's definitely a feather in our cap," said Ken Etten, chairman of the Lake Geneva Historical Preservation Commission. "We'll get national publicity."

Etten said the designation will prompt travelers with an interest in history to give the city a second look.

That fits in well with the commission's goals to help residents research the history of their property and to educate the public on the rich history of the community.

Over the years, seven buildings in Lake Geneva, as two historic districts, have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This latest designation will help spark increased interest in historical preservation in the community.

Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Committee Web site is HERE.

National Register of Historic Places Web site his HERE.

America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2009

Athens, Ga. - Athens is called the "classic city" because of its name and neo-classical architecture.

Bristol, R.I. - A quintessential New England waterfront town steeped in a rich history spanning three centuries.

Buffalo, N.Y. - A gold mine of late 19th- and early 20th- century urban design.

Fort Worth, Texas - The city of cowboys and culture once was a frontier town and home to the brave and the brawling.

Franklin, Tenn. - Surrounded by rolling green hills and scenic landscapes, Franklin offers a rare blend of small-town southern hospitality and big-city amenities.

Hot Springs, S.D. - Less than an hour from Mt. Rushmore, Hot Springs is famous for its healing waters, impressive collection of pink sandstone buildings, scenic beauty and excess of natural and cultural resources.

Lake Geneva, Wis. - Easily accessible from Milwaukee and Chicago, Lake Geneva is commonly referred to as the Newport of the West for its pristine natural beauty and beautiful lakefront estates.

Lititz, Pa. - Only 60 miles west of Philadelphia, this antidote to high-powered city living possesses a picturesque charm rooted in its Moravian heritage, which dates to the mid-18th century.

Santa Barbara, Calif. - Called the American Riviera, this premier resort destination's idyllic, year-round climate and breadth of attractions delivers on its reputation.

Santa Fe, N.M. - One of the best-preserved cities in the United States, Santa Fe is an ancient city with a distinctive architecture borne of its remote location and use of local materials.

Saugatuck-Douglas, Mich. - These neighboring harbor towns, nestled near the shore of Lake Michigan, are defined by steep, rolling dunes to the west and lush orchard country to the east.

Virginia City, Nev. - This historic mining boomtown provides unique insights into the spirit of the Old West.