Lake Geneva Local History Series - Land Grabs and Frontier Justice

Spend this winter getting better acquainted with the past.  The Wisconsin Historical Society presents a six-week-long series focused on the local history of Geneva Lake.  This program will help participants get a better understanding of the rich and varied history of the region during the grand resort era (the 1180s - 1920s).  Instructors are from the Society's Black Point Estate and Gardens location.

February 15th - Land Grabs and Frontier Justice

How do you settle disputes on the Wisconsin frontier when

there are no laws, no courts or legal systems? A good 

example happened on the shores of Big Foot Lake. How did

early settlers in southeast Wisconsin "own" land before they

could buy it? Take a detailed look at an amazing Walworth

County struggle in 1836, years before the Land Office in

Milwaukee started selling Government land at $1.25 per acre

in 1839. It's a story about waterpower, log cabins, mills, and

dams...and before the conflict is resolved, we will experience

fist fights, proposed duels, arson, the Racine County Sheriff,

and learn about a claim jumper in Burlington: The wild, wild

west is in Wisconsin!