History column: Lake Geneva's Memorial Day parade was a highlight of the year
Patrick Quinn
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This picture of the past ran in the June 4, 1970, edition of the Lake Geneva Regional News. This was taken during the Memorial Day parade and the group of the cadets were from the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy.
Decoration Day — today called Memorial Day — 1928. A parade photo, looking south down the 700 block of Main Street, Lake Geneva. In the left corner, where trees stand, is today where the Lake Geneva Post Office is located.
As a young boy growing up in Lake Geneva the day of the year that I most looked forward to was Memorial Day. In those days there was no Christmas parade in Lake Geneva. The only other parade in the city during the year besides the Memorial Day Parade was the Homecoming Parade in the fall held in conjunction with the Lake Geneva High School football team’s Homecoming game.
In photos: A look back at the Riviera including the old water toboggan slide
The old Lake Geneva toboggan water slide
A look at the old water toboggan slide that used to be in Lake Geneva where the Riviera is now. This photo is on display at the Geneva Lake Museum.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Riviera Marquee
The Riviera used to have a marquee listing the bands and entertainment playing there.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Watch now: The history of Lake Geneva's riviera
The old water slide
A look at Lake Geneva’s old water slide that used to be where the riviera is now.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Riviera under construction
Here the Riviera is shown under construction in this photo. Historian Patrick Quinn used to work at the American Legion Canteen during the summers from 1950 to 1960.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Riviera Beach
An undated photo of Riviera Beach.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Riviera 1932
A photo of the Riviera from 1932.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
A look inside the Riviera
These are restored photos of the inside of the riviera on display at the Geneva Lake Museum.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
The Riviera bands
A part of the display at the Geneva Lake Museum shows some of the bands who played at the Riviera through the years.
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Riviera Menu
Geneva Lake Museum archive
Riviera Menu
Geneva Lake Museum archive
The Riviera
Geneva Lake Museum archive
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PatrickQuinn
Patrick Quinn is a Lake Geneva native who is the University Archivist Emeritus at Northwestern University.
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This picture of the past ran in the June 4, 1970, edition of the Lake Geneva Regional News. This was taken during the Memorial Day parade and the group of the cadets were from the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy.
Decoration Day — today called Memorial Day — 1928. A parade photo, looking south down the 700 block of Main Street, Lake Geneva. In the left corner, where trees stand, is today where the Lake Geneva Post Office is located.
