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The pivotal moment in Lake Geneva’s rise to prominence came in 1871, when the Great Chicago Fire devastated the city. Thousands of residents, including many of Chicago’s wealthiest families, lost their homes and sought refuge elsewhere. Accessible via the recently completed Chicago & Northwestern Railway line, Lake Geneva became an idyllic escape from urban chaos.
As the smoke cleared from the Chicago tragedy, affluent families discovered that the lake's tranquil environment offered the perfect retreat. Drawing upon their desire for leisure and privacy, they began constructing summer homes and grand estates along its shores.