Lake Lawn Resort facts for kids
Lake Lawn Resort is a fun place to visit in Delavan, Wisconsin, United States. It's right on the beautiful shores of Delavan Lake. You can find it off Highway 50, close to Interstate 43. What's really cool is that Lake Lawn even has its own private airport, called Lake Lawn Airport!
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A Look Back: History of Lake Lawn Resort
Ancient Times and Circus Fun
Long, long ago, around 1000 BC, Native American tribes lived on the north shore of Delavan Lake, exactly where Lake Lawn Resort stands today. When the resort was being built, workers found many old items from these tribes. You can even see some of these ancient artifacts displayed around the resort!
The very first hotel here was built in 1879. It was a special place for members of the Mabie Circus to stay. Later, when the famous Barnum and Bailey circus bought the Mabie Circus, this hotel became their winter home. Imagine circus performers and animals spending their winters here!
Growing into a Big Resort
In 1923, Lake Lawn Lodge became a private getaway for employees of large companies like Commonwealth Edison. These companies added many new things, including a golf course in 1928 and a big ballroom.
In 1929, the property was sold, and the new owner opened the hotel to everyone. By 1942, it was open all year round for vacationers. As more and more people came, the resort grew a lot! They added new places to eat and shop, a convention center, and even their own airport in 1948.
More guest buildings were added over the years:
- Timber Lodge (1958) with an indoor pool.
- Boulder Lodge (1962).
- Woodlawn Lodge (1968) with its own indoor pool.
- Shorewood Lodges (1973).
- Norwood Lodge (1980).
Sadly, the ballroom burned down in 1978. The resort also got a new front desk in 1980 and an outdoor pool in 1985. In 1984, most of the original main hotel was taken down because it was very old. However, the main entrance area, called the lobby, was saved and is now known as the Great Room. The golf course was redesigned in 1990 by Dick Nugent.
Changes and Renovations
Between 1990 and 2005, the resort had many different owners. Each new owner made improvements to the public areas, guest rooms, or the golf course. For a while, their slogan was "Resort to the Finest," which later became "Lake Lawn Resort."
In 2004, a company called Delavan Resort Holdings bought the property. They planned a huge project to make the resort even better. In 2006, they spent $40 million to update all the guest rooms and the Timber Pool. The health club in Timber Lodge became a relaxing spa. Woodlawn Lodge, which was separate from the other buildings, was completely redone with a "coastal" look and renamed Lakewood Suites. An outdoor pool was added there too.
Lake Lawn Resort Today
Today, Lake Lawn Resort is a fantastic place with nearly 300 guest rooms. It has a big conference center with 22 meeting rooms, perfect for events. You can enjoy meals at its three restaurants or find souvenirs at the gift shop.
The resort still has its golf course, a driving range, and the airport. There's also a marina for boats, three swimming pools, a fun game room, and a spa where you can relax.
In 2009, the resort faced some financial challenges. However, in 2011, a group of investors bought the property with plans to reopen it. The golf course and marina reopened on May 27, 2011. The rest of the resort welcomed guests again on July 22, 2011. Even though the airport doesn't have staff, its runway is open for planes to use.
