Redwood Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Redwood Cottage
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Redwood Cottage
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 327 Wrigley Drive Lake Geneva, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1885 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003796 |
| Added to NRHP | September 07, 1984 |
Redwood Cottage is a beautiful old mansion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was built way back in 1885 as a fancy summer home. This large house has a unique style called Queen Anne. Over the years, it changed from a home to a special health center, and then to a hotel. Today, it's recognized as an important historical place, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984.
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The Baker Family's Summer Home
The story of Redwood Cottage begins with the Baker family. Charles Minton Baker was an early settler in Walworth County, arriving in 1839. He held many important jobs, like being a lawyer and a representative in the government.
His son, Robert Hall Baker, became very successful. He was part-owner of a big company called J.I. Case. Robert also served as the mayor of Racine. He helped bring the railroad to Lake Geneva in 1871, which was a huge deal for the area.
Robert Baker passed away in 1882, leaving his wife Emily and their four children. Emily decided to update their family home, known as the Baker homestead. Then, in 1885, she decided to build a brand new "summer cottage" right next door. This new house is what we now call Redwood Cottage.
Building a Unique Mansion
In July 1885, the local newspaper, the Geneva Lake Herald, wrote about the new house. They said it would be "one of the handsomest about the lake." They also mentioned its "unique but tasty" design. Everyone could tell it would be a special addition to the lakeside.
The house is huge, with over 17,000 square feet and 30 rooms! It's a wooden building with two main floors and an attic. The roof is very interesting, with many different shapes and tall chimneys. A round tower with a pointed "witch's cap" roof stands out on one corner.
The outside walls have different patterns of wooden shingles. Large bay windows and a balcony add to its cool look. A big porch, called a veranda, wraps around the first floor. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy the views.
Inside Redwood Cottage
Step inside Redwood Cottage, and you'll see why it got its name. The doors and windows are trimmed with beautiful redwood. The house has a central hallway with rooms on both sides.
On the first floor, there are two large living rooms, called parlors. Three smaller rooms are on the other side of the hall. A grand staircase connects the floors. It's lit by colorful stained glass windows, making it feel very fancy.
The house has twelve fireplaces in total. Some are made of oak wood, and others are cherry wood. Their designs are a bit different from the outside style, adding to the house's unique charm.
From Home to Hotel
Emily Baker enjoyed her summer cottage until she passed away in 1894. A few years later, in 1897, a woman named Celinda Walkup bought the house. She paid $15,000 for it.
Celinda turned the house into a special health center called "Lakeside Cottage." It was connected to another health center nearby. This center was part of a group founded by Dr. Oscar A. King, a doctor who studied the brain. These centers helped people with various health needs. Lakeside Cottage felt like a private home and offered fun activities for its guests. It operated as a health center until 1925.
In 1926, Mr. Finsky bought the building and changed it into the Lakeside Hotel. It stayed a hotel until 1942. Then, Lloyd Barnard bought it and renamed it the St. Moritz Hotel. He tried to make it feel like "Switzerland in America." More recently, the mansion has been used as a fancy bed and breakfast with a restaurant.
