Baker House History
Built in 1885 as a summer residence for Mrs. Robert Hall Baker, (Emily), the 17,000 square foot, 30 room, Queen Anne Mansion was first named “Redwood Cottage”. The Land that the house was built on was originally given to Charles Minton Baker, (Robert's father),in 1838 by the city of Lake Geneva as part of a "compensation package" for becoming the first District Attorney of Walworth County.
Robert who was born and raised on this land, vowed to one day build a summer home for his family here. Forty-seven years later his widowed wife, Emily, built that summer home as a grand tribute to the man she so adored on the lake that he so loved. Upon completion of the home, Roberts initials (R. H. B.) were lovingly placed in the threshold of the entry by Emily so she would never have to pass through the door without him. Today guests are still greeted by Mr. Baker as they cross that very same threshold and the essence of Emily is never far behind...
(Pictured above, in an antique postcard dated 1904, the Baker House mansion with its turn-of-the-century turret prominently stands today as it did more than a century ago, a crown jewel of Lake Geneva's waterfront).
Over the last 125 years the home has had many lives: a SUMMER HOME for Emily and her 5 children; a SCHOOL DORMITORY for the Lake Geneva Seminary for Young Ladies; a "fashionable" SANITARIUM for wealthy patients recoverring from light nervous disorders; a clandestine Speakeasy during Prohibition and by the 1930's it was the lakeside HOTEL and RESTAURANT, best known over the decades as the "St. Moritz". In 2010 the "Redwood Cottage" once again became a PRIVATE HOME that also doubles as a LUXURY INN for all to enjoy as if it were their own. It has been lovingly retored and renamed the BAKER HOUSE in tribute to Emily and Robert.
The Baker House, a Nationally Registered Historic Property, is one of the few remaining "summer cottages" that still embodies the true glory of Lake Geneva at the turn-of-the-century. It is beautifully preserved with most all of its original ornate details intact. Five-wood inlaid floors (believed to be one of S.C. Johnsons very first home installations) and thirteen original fireplaces surrounded by floor to ceiling hand carved mantles embellished with pristine J & JG Low Art Tile of Chelsea, Massachusetts. This rare and highly collectible tile can be seen in every parlor of the mansion and is rumored to be one of the most diverse and well preserved examples of J & JG Low Art Tile in the country.
(Additional examples of J & JG Low Tile can be also be seen at nearby Black Point Mansion and the Richard Driehaus Museum in downtown Chicago).
This summer the Baker House celebrates its 126th birthday and we will continue making lots of new history here together.
We invite you to join us in exploring this magnificent home, to rest on our pillows, dine in our parlors and celebrate sunsets in our garden.
You will be amazed how something old... can be Oh So New!
With Love,
Andrew & Bethany