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A popular tourist destination before the crash of '29

Photo at left: Lake Wandawega was a major tourist destination prior to the stock market crash of ‘29. More Mystery Place photos in the GALLERY

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The easiest way to see Lake Wandawega in Sugar Creek Township is by taking Tippecanoe Trail off County Highway A or Wandawega Road off Wisconsin Highway 67.

This it the third name for this body of water. It was first known as Otter Lake and then Russell’s Lake.

A map of Sugar Creek Township in 1915 listed the body of water as Otter Lake. That map was found in the Wisconsin Domesday Book — Towns Studies. However, a 1907 Walworth County plat book shows this body of water as Russell’s Lake. L. Russell and N. Russell both had property on the south side of the lake.

In 1925, the Elkhorn Independent published an article noting the lake’s name would be changed to Lake Wandawega, following the lead of other lakes changing their names to Native American tribe names.

The property in 1891 on the south side of the lake was owned by S. L. Russell and J. Parson. In 1907, J. Parson and Harry Cameron were the owners. In 1921, it was listed as Parson’ Enterlaken Farm.

The 1873 plat book shows A.C. Kinne and Mrs. C. Kinne as the owners of two properties on the north side of the lake. In 1891, John Gilbert owned some of this property.

J. Gilbert is listed as the owner in the 1907 plat book. William E. Gilbert is listed as the owner in 1921.

It was about 1925 that the U.S. Bond and Mortgage Company purchased the Gilbert farm and remodeled the farmhouse. Porches were added to the three sides, and all first-floor partitions were removed to make one large room.

The house became the community center for use by all Wandawega property owners. Space was available for dances and dining, plus a game room. Other buildings were razed. A 33-foot road was constructed from U.S. Highway 12 to the lake; narrower ones were made throughout the property.

At the grand opening of the new subdivision, special trains ran from Chicago to Elkhorn. Buses and cars then transported people to the lake. One-hundred-twenty-two blocks were platted; each block had 48 lots that were 25-by-100 feet. Many people purchased two or three lots.

In addition to the free train ride, prospective buyers were also given a day’s entertainment and a free dinner at the community center. Newspaper ads called this a “new playground for carefree summer living.”

The biggest attraction for this subdivision was the price: $85 per lot, and arrangements could be made for monthly installments.

Because of its location just off U.S. Highway 12, the area was easily accessible throughout the year. The area experienced good growth during the mid-1920s.

The Wandawega Hotel was built and operated by Anna Peck. The hotel also boasted a golf course that no longer exists. The 1929 stock market crash changed the picture.

Many people who bought lots no longer could afford them. Some were lost through foreclosure and others were given up to avoid paying the taxes on them. By 1936, the county owned much of the land for back taxes. Now most of the homeowners enjoy the area year round.