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20-plus photos of the old Lake Geneva Playboy Club
Take a step back in time to when Lake Geneva hosted the renowned Playboy bunnies.
The resort is now the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, a resort that offers golf courses, a ski hill, water park and more on over 1,300 acres of land east of Lake Geneva.
A look at the concept
Surrounded by Playboy Bunnies, Hugh Hefner, center, views a model of the Lake Geneva Playboy Club site.
File photo, Regional NewsFire in the hole
Hugh Hefner, center, presses a red button, setting off a dynamite charge to blow a hole in a hill once called Indian Knob. The charge was set off during a ceremony in August 1966 on the site of what would become the Lake Geneva Playboy Club, which opened in 1968.
File photo, Regional NewsUnder construction
The Lake Geneva Playboy Club was built on over 1,300 acres of converted farmland. It opened in May 1968.
File photo, Regional NewsCher at the Playboy Club
Cher at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club in 1971.
Geneva Lake Museum photoCher and Chasity at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club
Cher along with young Chasity at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Chasity, whose parents are Sonny and Cher, later underwent a gender transition and is now Chaz Bono.
Geneva Lake MuseumSonny, Cher and Chasity (later Chaz)
A rare photo from the Lake Geneva Playboy Club of Sonny and Cher and their young Chasity, now known as Chaz.
Geneva Lake MuseumGoofin' around
A trio of Playboy bunnies have some fun on construction equipment at the site of what would become the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.
File photo, Regional NewsGrand opening
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, center, is joined by Bunnies using water in a ceremony marking the grand opening of the Lake Geneva Playboy Club in May 1968.
File photo, Regional NewsEarly days
Playboy Bunnies gathered outside at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.
File photo, Regional NewsA taste of glamour
Inside the Lake Geneva Playboy Club, which operated from May 1968 to December 1981.
File photo, Regional NewsJobs
At one time, an estimated 250 jobs were held at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.
File photo, Regional NewsThe Bunnies
Diana Peterson, far right, joins other Lake Geneva Playboy Club Bunnies and a customer at the club. A Bunny was a club waitress, and between 1960 and 1988, Playboy Club Bunnies were selected through auditions.
File photo, Regional NewsInspection
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, left, inspects a group of Bunnies after the bunny costume underwent a redesign for the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.
File photo, Regional NewsGregory Hines
Among celebrities who came to the Lake Geneva Playboy Club was Gregory Hines, the legendary actor/dancer/singer, considered to be the greatest tap dancer of all time. Hines, left, appears here with club maitre d' Jerry Pawlak, center.
File photo, Regional NewsAnn-Margret
Perhaps best known for her roles in "Bye Bye Birdie," "Tommy" and "Grumpy Old Men," actress Ann-Margret also visited the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.
File photo, Regional NewsThe Smothers Brothers
Playboy Club maitre d' Jerry Pawlak, center, greets the musical-comedy duo The Smothers Brothers at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. The Smothers Brothers were an American folk singing and comedy act that hosted a TV variety show in the late 1960s.
File photo, Regional News1976
In 1976, up to 100 women were Bunnies at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.
File photo, Regional NewsCircus time
Lake Geneva Playboy Club Bunnies with a circus elephant.
File photo, Regional NewsPlayboy Club: Cake version
Christie Hefner, second from right, daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, cuts a cake shaped like the Lake Geneva Playboy Club in the summer of 1980.
File photo, Regional NewsReunion
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, center, is surrounded by former Lake Geneva Playboy Club employees at a reunion event.
File photo, Regional News50th anniversary
In 2018 — 50 years after the Playboy Club opened — a special anniversary took place, allowing people such as ex-Bunnies (left) Liz Cocroft and Pattie Geldermann the chance to look over old photos and share memories.
File photo, Regional NewsCocktails
Former Bunnies (left) April Brown and Tana Lambert, spend time together over cocktails at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club 50th anniversary party.
File photo, Regional NewsToday
The former Lake Geneva Playboy is now the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, town of Lyons. Over 25 years ago, the Marcus Corporation purchased and renovated the property.
File photo, Regional News
Steve Targo
Special Sections Coordinator
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The information presented here is subject to change. To have an event appear in this column, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
The information presented here is subject to change. To have an event appear in this column, email us at newsroom@lakegenevanews.net.
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