ELKHARTLAKE.COM | 4
Legendary Name
Well known among local tribes was a handsome young warrior
who proved his bravery by slaying an elk and devouring its heart
- thus becoming known as Elkheart. Attracting the favor of many
young maidens, Elkheart began wooing the one named Silver Birch.
But his eyes soon strayed to another beautiful maiden known as
Singing Bird, leaving Silver Birch heart-broken. One night as the
new lovers paddled out on the lake, an arrow from the bow of the
dejected Silver Birch pierced Elkheart, who fell into the deep water.
Horrified, Singing Bird plunged into the water after him, followed by
a sorrowful Silver Birch, who drowned with the ill-fated lovers. Now,
when the moon is full, the spirit of Silver Birch passes over the lake
crying the name Elkheart.
Legendary Water
Spring-fed, crystal clear and 120 feet deep, the unique blue-green
water of Elkhart Lake is a legend itself. In Elkhart Lake you don't just
catch big fish, you can see them - deep below the surface. From the
days when Native Americans lived on its banks, the pristine quality
of Elkhart Lake's water has soothed the souls of people from far and
wide - and kept them coming back year after year. To many, it's the
legendary water of Elkhart Lake that makes it famous.
Legendary Gambling
Elkhart Lake could not escape the wave of illicit gambling in the early
1900s. Illegal gambling became the accepted standard in the state,
and for all of its resort charm, Elkhart Lake became touted as a
gambler's paradise. The popularity of the slot machine among resort
visitors took the village by storm. With the Roaring Twenties came
an influx of roulette and poker at four well-established Elkhart Lake
gambling halls. The end of this legendary era was signaled when,
after years of lax enforcement, Elkhart Lake's infamous Paddock
Club was raided and gambling equipment destroyed.
Legendary Racing
Open road racing over the hills and around the curves of
Elkhart Lake gained prominence in the early 1950s. Now
landmarked, these early closed-loop courses around the lake drew
sports car racing enthusiasts from across the Midwest and led to
the development, 60 years ago, of Road America - a rolling four-mile
track near the village. Long recognized as one of the premier road
racing tracks in the world, Road America has become legendary. It is
a favorite spot for the sport's best professional and celebrity drivers
of every type of racing vehicle from motorcycles to Indy cars.
Legendary Train Depot
Elkhart Lake's early growth as a resort destination is attributed, in
part, to the arrival of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad to the
village in 1873. Trains full of vacationers, race enthusiasts, gamblers
and gangsters alike from Chicago, Milwaukee and Green Bay
stepped onto the passenger platform at the Village's Train Depot.
Did you know?
292
ACRE LAKE
119
FEET DEEP
1 HOUR FROM MILWAUKEE
2.5 HOURS FROM CHICAGO
2 HOURS FROM MADISON
4TH DEEPEST LAKE IN WISCONSIN
Q. What is Elkhart Lake?
A. Elkhart Lake is a lakeside resort village in
northeast Wisconsin, home to three distinctive resorts
and multiple vacation rentals.
Q. How do I get around when I'm there?
A. The Village of Elkhart Lake is actually completely
walkable! When you are here you can park your car and
leave it until you are ready to depart.
