Chicago fire survivor recounts family's move to Lake Geneva
By Michelle Bie Love
Guest columnist
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This image shows the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which contributed to the growth of Lake Geneva during one of the most important years in Lake Geneva history.
Contributed photo, Regional News
When the Rumsey family reached Lake Geneva after the fire, they settled temporarily in Mrs. Tamlin’s rooming house, shown, which later became the first Lake Geneva Library.
WILLIAMS BAY — The summer and fall of 1871 were unusually dry. Chicago had one-fourth of the average amount of rain between July and October. Much of the city had dried out in the summer’s intense heat.
20 Photos from Lake Geneva past, including the old Andy Gump statue in Flat Iron Park
Andy Gump 9-11-1969
7-8-1971 Garden Club Mrs Robt Betten, Mrs Robt Morton, and Mrs Harold Davis
709 Center St Winter 1950s
1964 Elgin Club Annual Picnic
1970 Lake Geneva City Council
1972 Badger Tennis Team
1972 Gordon Hinkley Ginny Hall
1972 Jaycees officers
1980 Playboy Club Cake Henry Feldman
A S Peck Standard Oil Gas Station
Albert O Trostel 1969
Alison Hunter (Mrs. William Wrigley)
Anna Baker Post Lady Fontana in vehicle
Anna Baker Post Lady Fontana
Arno Hempel Artist 1972
Arno Hempel Monk Sculpture
Arthur Ruder 7-3-1969 burned flag
Badger HS Pollution walk 5-7-1970
Badger Northwestern student exchange 5-7-1970 Pat Obiala, Loretta Shane, Maribeth Genoar, and Lisa Arnold
Badger Principal DEan Dare
Michelle Bie Love is a member of the Williams Bay Historical Society and co-author of “A Pictorial History of Williams Bay, Wisconsin On Beautiful Geneva Lake.”
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This image shows the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which contributed to the growth of Lake Geneva during one of the most important years in Lake Geneva history.
When the Rumsey family reached Lake Geneva after the fire, they settled temporarily in Mrs. Tamlin’s rooming house, shown, which later became the first Lake Geneva Library.
