Free printable vintage Lake Geneva Wisconsin postcards showcase one of the state’s most popular vacation destinations in its full glory!
For more than 100 years, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin has been the summer home for many notable wealthy Chicagoans as well as a regular vacation spot for many Illinois and Wisconsin residents. Given its stunning location and range of year-round indoor and outdoor activities, it’s not hard to see why. Lake Geneva is an ideal vacation destination for couples and families and for celebrating major events, such as milestone birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and family reunions.
I’m sharing 25 vintage Lake Geneva Wisconsin postcards, which feature Williams Bay, the Municipal Bathing Beach and Recreation Building, Yerkes Observatory, and the Lake Geneva Hotel. There are multiple views of boat landings, boats on the water, and beaches, including moonlit beach views. Almost all of the postcards are linen with vivid, detailed images. You won’t find anything like them today. Enjoy!
Printable vintage Lake Geneva Wisconsin postcard formats
Each postcard ZIP folder includes the following three formats.
- Original ratio (3.5″ x 5.5″). All of the Lake Geneva postcards are standard size, which is 3.5″ x 5.5.” Having postcards in their original ratio gives you full creative control for formatting and cropping for particular wall art and other projects.
- 4×6. I’ve formatted the Lake Geneva postcards in their original ratio with 0.5″ white borders on all sides for simple 4×6 printing. Every standard printing service offers 4×6 prints at low prices (as opposed to 3.5″ x 5.5,” which is almost impossible to find). You’ll also be able to choose from an extensive selection of affordable 4×6 frames for your new postcard prints.
- 8×10. I know that quite a few people have arrived at this post looking for 8×10 format prints for wall art for their homes, offices, libraries, and classrooms. Again, I’ve added a white border on all sides of the 8×10 formatted Lake Geneva images. I’ve found that it’s the easiest way to keep roughly the original postcard ratio and to find a frame with or without a mat that works well.
I have a comprehensive size guide for my vintage postcard collection downloads. It has all of the information that you need to select the best size(s) for your home decor and DIY projects. If you need further help, don’t hesitate to ask!
After the Lake Geneva postcard downloads, I have a set of 8.5″ x 11″ pages. Each page has two original ratio postcards on it. The 8.5″ x 11″ pages save you the trouble of printing every postcard on a separate piece of paper. You can print them at home or send them to your favorite printing service. The 8.5″ x 11″ pages are ideal for art/junk journals, scrapbooks, craft projects, and school projects.
The postcard images and 8.5″ x 11″ pages are all 300 dpi to guarantee the best print quality possible.
Are you looking for more postcard formats?
Please let me know! I’m happy to offer additional sizes or other printing options for particular home decor and DIY projects.
About the free printable vintage Lake Geneva Wisconsin postcards
You may download and print the vintage postcards and 8.5″ x 11″ pages as many times as you like for personal use, which includes classroom use. You may use the images for limited runs (5,000 items or less) of physical items to sell. Physical item use DOES NOT include made-to-order sites, such as Zazzle and Redbubble.
You may also use the images for limited runs (5,000 items or less) of digital items to sell. Digital items must be flat, finished pieces (i.e., not Photoshop files). The items you sell must be your own original content using the images. You may not sell the images individually or as part of larger collections.
Finally, please don’t distribute the download files. If family, friends, or co-workers would like their own Lake Geneva postcards, please send them a link to this post so they can download the files themselves. Your support allows me to keep creating new printable vintage collections!
Please note: The low-resolution preview images in this post are solely intended for preview purposes. They’re great for sharing on social media. They aren’t suitable for printing. Please use the download links to access the high-resolution versions of all of the images.
Free printable vintage Lake Geneva Wisconsin postcards
Along the Shore Path at Spring Haven
A beautiful view of the shore path at Spring Haven in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
“Andy Gump” on Top of the World Statue at the Sidney Smith Estate
Andy Gump was the lead character in Sidney Smith’s comic strip The Gumps. Smith lived in Lake Geneva. The Chicago Tribune was so happy with the success of his strip and the money that they made off of it that they had a statue crafted of Gump and placed it on Smith’s property. After Smith passed away in 1935, the town of Lake Geneva moved the statue into a downtown park.
In 1967, the statue was reportedly completely destroyed in a drunken riot. Even though the comic strip had been out of print for almost a decade, the town rallied in defense of the statue and had a new one built. This second statue is the one that you still see on display in Lake Geneva today. The statue is housed in Flatiron Park on Wrigley Drive. [Source]
[“Andy Gump” on Top of the World Statue at the Sidney Smith Estate]
Ceylon Court/Maytag Home
After the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago ended, real estate tycoon Frank Candler purchased Ceylon Court. It was a replica of a traditional Buddhist Temple covering 18,000 square feet. Chandler had Ceylon Court dismantled and shipped to Lake Geneva in 24 rail cars. It was then reconstructed using only pegs, no nails.
After just six years, in 1901, Chandler sold the property to Chicago banker John Mitchell. In 1928, Mitchell sold the property to the Magtag family for $750,000, and it became known as the Maytag Estate. The Maytag family sold the property in 1948 to a developer who subdivided it. Eventually, the contents were auctioned off. In 1958, in a controlled burn, the decaying estate was destroyed. [Source]
Excursion Steamer at Fontana Beach
An excursion steamer is a steamboat used to take people on coastal, lake, or river pleasure trips. You’ll find them at numerous popular vacation destinations, including Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells.
Fontana Beach is located on the western shore of Geneva Lake. It’s a large sandy beach with a wide grassy area and changing rooms. Learn more about Fontana Beach at the Village of Fontana on Geneva Lake site.
Hotel Geneva
Lake Geneva has a long history of beautiful hotels with gorgeous lake views. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any information online about the historic Hotel Geneva that’s pictured on two of the postcards in this collection. If anyone can provide any details about it, they would be much appreciated!
Lake Shore Drive at Fontana
A beautiful view of the drive running alongside Geneva Lake in the Village of Fontana, which is on the western shore of the lake.
Lake Shore Drive Near Park and Picnic Grounds
A classic view of Lake Geneva along a lake drive with the Municipal Recreation Building in the background.
Moonlight on Lake Geneva from Recreation Building
A beautiful view of Geneva Lake at night, as it would have been seen from the Municipal Recreation Building. The full moon reflects its light in the dark water.
Moonlight on the Lake Near Tourists’ Camp Site
Another beautiful moonlight view of Geneva Lake, this time from a more secluded tourists’ campsite. In this postcard, the sliver moon peaks out from in between the clouds and reflects its light on the dark water.
Municipal Bathing Beach
The Municipal Bathing Beach is now known as Riviera Beach. It’s in the heart of Lake Geneva and remains a popular spot, especially during the summer months. The postcard offers a classic view of the beach in summer, filled with people on the sand and grassy areas and in the water.
Municipal Bathing Beach 2
Another timeless view of the Municipal Bathing Beach, now the Riviera Beach, in Lake Geneva. This is a closer view than the preview scene, centered on the beach.
Municipal Recreation Building and Boat Landing
A close-up view of the Municipal Recreation Building in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with the boat landing next to it.
Pleasure Drive at Button’s Bay
Another classic view of a drive alongside Geneva Lake, this time in Button’s Bay.
Scene at Norman B. Barr Camp
Since 1909, Norman B. Barr Camp has been offering life-changing experiences to all those who visit. Many of the camp cabins are occupied by families who have been frequenting the area for generations. The camp also partners with community groups to provide a free camp experience for kids whose families may not be able to afford it.
The Norman B. Barr Camp is located between Fontana and Williams Bay, just west of George Williams College. The camp’s candy and ice cream shop is open daily to the public in the summer from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. [Source]
Shore Path at Eleanor Camp
The Eleanor Camp was a camp for ladies on the shores of Geneva Lake. After their fourth season in 1912, they moved to new grounds occupying over ten acres with a lakefrontage of 330 feet and a depth of 1,320 feet. The grounds were within a 10-minute walk of the YMCA camp, where the Eleanor Camp guests were able to join in Sunday services and other weekly happenings.
The Eleanor Camp had sleeping tents on wooded slopes overlooking the lake. The camp hosted boat rides, picnics, bathing, fishing, scenic hikes, and a variety of evening entertainment. [Source]
The Eleanor Camp operated from 1909 to 1953. The camp was sold after it closed. The property is now the Wesley Woods Christian Camp and Conference Center. They bring people together for friendship, recreation, and worship. [Source]
Shore Path at YMCA Camp
In 1884, the YMCA Camp originated on the grounds of Camp Collie in Williams Bay. It was originally known as the Western Secretarial Institute but was quickly renamed YMCA Camp. The camp hosted director training for the national YMCA and served as a place where the directors could exchange ideas and methods. The camp was so successful that the YMCA purchased its own camp property west of Camp Collie. In 1890, the YMCA established a year-round school in Chicago called George Williams College after the YMCA’s English founder.
The camp, rooted in the YMCA tradition, strove to nurture the body, mind, and spirit. In addition to attending lectures and musical events, the camp guests took part in swimming, sailing, rowing, badminton, tennis, and golf. There were also day camp activities for kids. [Source]
At the Lake Magazine has a great article called A Culture of Inclusion with a comprehensive history of camps on Geneva Lake, which includes more information about the Eleanor Camp, Norman B. Barr Camp, and YMCA Camp, as well as other prominent camps in the area.
Speed Boats
A pair of speed boats on Geneva Lake. There is a long tradition of boating on the lake.
Terraced Gardens on the Summer Home of Mr. Sidney Smith
Mr. Sidney Smith (1877-1935) is the originator of Andy Gump, who lives on through Lake Geneva’s Andy Gump statue in Flatiron Park. Sidney Smith’s cartoon The Gumps was America’s first syndicated cartoon and the Chicago Tribune’s longest-running comic strip with a 42-year run. Smith had a one-million-dollar contract with the Tribune in 1922, which would be worth about $14 million today.
Sidney Smith lived in Glen Arden in Lake Geneva. The road to access Glen Arden has been renamed Sidney Smith Lane in its honor. You’ll find lots of information about Smith in the Lake Geneva History Museum. [Source]
Williams Bay
The community of Williams Bay is a lovely area on Geneva Lake. It features a generous sand beach with shaded grassy areas and a bathhouse.
Williams Bay in the Moonlight
A beautiful view of Williams Bay beach at night with a full moon reflected in the water.
Williams Bay Pier Landings
The pier landings in Williams Bay. I love this view with the edges of the cars and the piers stretching out into the water.
Yerkes Observatory
Located just 15 minutes from downtown Lake Geneva in Williams Bay, Yerkes Observatory is an astronomical observatory. The University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics operated the observatory from its founding in 1897 until 2019. In May 2020, ownership was transferred to the non-profit Yerkes Future Foundation (YFF). The foundation undertook a multi-million dollar restoration and renovation over the next couple of years. In May 2022, Yerkes re-opened for public tours and programming. [Source] Learn more and purchase tickets at the Yerkes Observatory website.
Yerkes Observatory 2
Another view of Yerkes Observatory in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
8.5″ x 11″ pages
Download the full set of original ratio postcards in one PDF file containing 13 8.5″ x 11″ pages with two postcards per page.
Please note: The above preview image has a black border. It gets confusing having a lot of white space around images in blog posts. The pages in the PDF file don’t have black borders.
[Vintage Lake Geneva Wisconsin Postcards – 8.5″ x 11″ Pages]
I explain how to download and extract ZIP folders in my vintage dictionary pages post. The link takes you to the specific directions that you need.
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