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In 1883, a carpenter and contractor by the name of A. H. Button (Button's Bay is named in his honor) built Gypsy Lodge, a large summer estate on the shores of Geneva Lake. Gypsy Lodge was originally occupied by J. Hall Dow, a prominent businessman from Chicago. Over the next 100 years, the lodge changed owners and additions were built to increase the size. The original structure was eventually converted into a restaurant and inn. At that time, the most notable exterior change was made when the front porch was enclosed to become a dining room. In 1989, new owners Mr. and Mrs. Clarence W. Schawk, razed the 105 year old building due to structural and building code problems. In 1990, The Geneva Inn opened on the original site of the former Gypsy Lodge. The architect of The Geneva Inn remained faithful to some of the original lines of the Gypsy Lodge. In particular,the expansive sweep of the roof line over the grand front porch was retained, along with the dormer peaks at the upper level. |
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