The history of Elkhart Lake is a story going back 10,000 years to when native Indians first settled on these shores and came to hold the lake in reverence and hold their special ritual celebrations here. Ever since, people have found this lake as an amazing place of beauty, relaxation, and recreation.

We are collecting on this page historical references concerning Elkhart Lake, its development and its people. We will continue to build this historical library as we convert more references to a digital format that can be easily accessed by anyone with an interest in this continuing story.

Enjoy Elkhart Lake from years past, while enjoying what Elkhart Lake has become today.

Historical Texts

• “Sheboygan Bay at Elkhart Lake: Circa 1909” by Bill Rietow (1977)
• “History of Elkhart Lake Sailing” by Dick Windsor (1984)
• “Looking Back… Recollections and Remembrances: An Anecdotal History of the Village of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, 1894–1994” by The Centennial Book Committee (1994)