LAKE GENEVA — Since the 1870s, visitors have come to Lake Geneva to enjoy its beautiful natural resources.

Ever since, they’ve slowly created another resource that will attract people for years to come.

The history of Lake Geneva itself is now an attraction after the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the city one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2009.

At the announcement Wednesday at Horticultural Hall, Ken Etten, chairman of the Lake Geneva Historical Preservation Commission said the designation will give the city a higher profile nationwide.

What put Lake Geneva on the list, according to Trent Margrif, Wisconsin field office director with the national trust, were many of the things residents take for granted.

Lake Geneva’s distinctive downtown, as well as its unique sense of place, sets it apart, he said.

The trust receives 155 to 200 applications each year, and selects 12 for the annual list, which began in 2000.

Margrif said the community can be proud to know it stands on equal footing with some of the best travel destinations in the county.

For example, Lake Geneva often is called the Newport of the West, after Newport, R.I., which also has been on the list.

“In fact, they could just as easily call Newport the Lake Geneva of the East,” Margrif said.

“You’re known as a travel destination, and much of that has to do with the historic resources you have,” Margrif told the audience that gathered for the announcement.

That history is just another draw to this tourist area.

“It’s definitely a feather in our cap,” Etten said. “We’ll get national publicity.”

Etten said the designation will prompt travelers with an interest in history to give the city a second look.

That fits in well with the commission’s goals to help residents research the history of their property and to educate the public on the rich history of the community.

Over the years, seven buildings in Lake Geneva, as two historic districts, have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This latest designation will help spark increased interest in historical preservation in the community.

Etten said it has been difficult to keep his excitement under wraps.

The commission, which has been in existence for 12 years, has submitted an application each year for the past four or five years, Etten said, and they usually receive the polite form letter telling them they didn’t make the cut.

But this year, they made the list. Etten received an e-mail in late November, but couldn’t say anything until Tuesday’s announcement.

“We’re only the fourth city in Wisconsin to get the designation,” Etten said. “So we’re very excited.”

Lake Geneva’s historic sites

Seven buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, along with two districts.

– Metropolitan Block, 1874, now the Landmark Center.

– T.C. Smith house, 1880.

– Emily Baker Cottage, 1885, now Gilbert’s Restaurant.

– Younglands, 1899, now Stone Manor.

– Younglands Manor, 1901.

– Horticultural Hall, 1912.

– Riviera, 1932.

Historic districts are:

- - Main Street Historic District - The original commercial core of the city.

– Maple Park Historic District - the original residential section of the village of Geneva.

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