Lake Ivanhoe, WI

Tucked just five miles east of Lake Geneva, Lake Ivanhoe is a quiet lakeside neighborhood with a remarkable history. In 1926, three Black Chicago professionals, Jeremiah Brumfield, Frank Anglin, and Bradford Watson, bought an 83-acre farm on Ryan Lake. Because segregation barred Black families from most regional vacation spots at the time, they decided to build a welcoming summer haven of their own. They worked with real estate broker Ivan Bell to finalize the purchase, eventually naming the new community after him.

Today, Lake Ivanhoe remains a proud piece of Wisconsin heritage as the state's first Black-founded resort town. The neighborhood is mostly a peaceful, close-knit residential area with cozy homes, mature trees, and a historic marker by the park celebrating the original founders. It gives residents a quiet retreat by the water, all while keeping the restaurants, grocery stores, and entertainment of Lake Geneva and Burlington just a short drive down the road.