Patti Kirchhoff's Community Information

Delavan is rich in both its architectural and circus history as well as its beautiful lake. More than a century ago, Delavan was home to traveling circus troups attracted to its bountiful fields and lakes. Hundreds of clowns and circus performers from over 26 circuses set up their winter quarters in Delavan from 1847 to 1894. In 1847, a year before Wisconsin attained statehood and 24 years before the Ringling Brothers raised their first tent in Baraboo, the Mabie Brothers US Olympic Circus stayed at the present site of Lake Lawn Resort on Delavan Lake, where it created a circus dynasty that survived in Wisconsin for the next 100 years. The P.T. Barnum Circus, "The Greatest Show On Earth", was founded in Delavan in 1871. Delavan was selected as a site for the Wisconsin Statehood Circus Centennial in 1948, and on May 2, 1966, Delavan was selected by the US Postal Service to issue the 5-cent American Circus Commemorative Postage Stamp .

Many locals in the area can remember when Delavan was famous for the lively entertainment of the Big Bands. From 1930 to 1942, nationally known dance bands played at several ballrooms around Delavan Lake. Lawrence Welk played two-week engagements. Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Stan Kenton and many more all played here. People would come from Chicago, Milwaukee, Rockford and Madison—sometimes up to 25,000 a night.

Delavan is also renowned for its parks. It boasts more park acreage per capita than any other community of comparable size. The city contains 16 parks covering 300 diverse acres, enhanced by 125 acres of lake, pond and lagoon water—and that doesn’t even include Delavan Lake. On the north side of the city is the Paul Lange Memorial Arboretum, a secret treasure trove of more than 200 trees, many labeled to create a self-guiding tour. It is a natural resource area hidden away from the busy downtown streets and situated on Lake Comus with nature trails, a boat launch, fishing, picnicking and cross-country skiing. Paul Lange was the founder of Wisconsin’s Arbor Day and this celebration of trees is a fitting memorial to him. The arboretum includes part of the Swan Creek Corridor Trail, which extends 1.5 scenic miles and may one day reach all the way to Delavan Lake.

The city of Delavan is the hub of activity for those who spend time on Delavan Lake. The first thing people notice when they drive through Delavan’s downtown is that it is paved in brick. Locals will remind you not to call it cobblestone. The street, which was completely redone in 1995, is one of the last and best examples of paved-brick roadway in the state. Elegant Victorian homes line those streets.

Lake Delavan’s South Shore Drive boasts its share of mansions and elaborate summer homes. Take a casual drive along this tree-lined road to see some of the estates, some of which were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. While the first formal sailboat race on Delavan Lake was in 1889, it wasn’t until 1892 that a group of young boat owners organized the Delavan Lake Yacht Club. The original clubhouse was designed in 1904 by Frank Lloyd Wright. Buddy Melges, America’s Cup Winner, started his yachting career as a youngster while living at his great-grandfather’s 40-acre resort, "Woodlawn". Spring-fed Delavan Lake has a surface area of 2072 acres, is 56 feet in depth and has a good variety of fish, including northern pike, walleye, bass and many panfish. In the early 1990’s a massive effort was launched by local communities and the DNR to improve the water quality and now Lake Delavan can boast that it is one of the prime fishing spots in southern Wisconsin.

Delavan is home to to two fine golf courses in the area... the challenging Lake Lawn Resort with its lake views and Delbrook Golf Course for all levels of golfers.