A Legacy on the Lake
Our History
Founded in 1890, the Oconomowoc Lake Club was established, in part, as an improvement association to help regulate lake levels and facilitate inter-lake travel.
To address fluctuating water levels and improve navigation, the club installed the Danforth Lock where the lake flows into the Oconomowoc River. This not only stabilized lake levels but also helped control mosquito populations and reduce the risk of malaria. Thanks to the lock, a U.S. Mail boat could enter the lake from Oconomowoc, delivering mail twice daily to piers around the lake—along with groceries ordered from Vromans!
Though the lock has since been sealed, a dam is now regularly operated to manage water levels on Oconomowoc Lake, preserving the club’s long-standing commitment to the community and its waters.
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A Storied Past at Oconomowoc Lake
The history of the Oconomowoc Lake Club is closely intertwined with that of Villa Gifford, formerly known as the Gifford Hotel in the 1800s. Originally a private residence, the warmth and hospitality of Mr. George P. Gifford, combined with the scenic beauty and recreational opportunities of Oconomowoc Lake, attracted many of his friends to enjoy his meals, weekend lodging, and outdoor activities.
In the late 1860s, Mr. Gifford opened his home to select guests, gradually expanding the property into a grand yet unpretentious hotel. The Gifford Hotel, which predated the founding of the Oconomowoc Lake Club, became the site for the first 19 years of the club’s meetings and activities. The club’s own clubhouse was completed in the summer of 1909.
The “Grand Lady” proudly served its members until December 17, 1994, when a devastating fire claimed the building after 94 years of history. After extensive negotiations with state and local authorities, the Oconomowoc Lake Club was rebuilt. On April 27, 1996, just nine months after groundbreaking, the club celebrated its grand reopening.
The Oconomowoc Lake Club emerged stronger, revitalized, and with a renewed spirit, prepared to serve its members and the surrounding community for the next 100 years.
