News
Click to enlarge.
The Cemetery Board and the
LG-HPC together persuaded
the City to replace the
dilapidated old cyclone fence around Pioneer
Cemetery with a new black
wrought iron type fence. It looks
great; check it out!
Time, weather and vandals have taken their toll on the headstones in Pioneer Cemetery. The LG-HPC is currently in contact with local school staff in the hope of getting some of our younger citizens involved in restoring this historic cemetery to a more proper & presentable form.
Another project currently being discussed is the Old Mill Race Heritage Trail, a walking trail that will take you to the old railroad bridge, Geneva Lakes Area Museum, Odell Typewriter Building and possibly the City-owned portion of Hillmoor Golf Course. Much of the trail would be along or near the White River.
CONGRATULATIONS! On
January 13, 2009 a few local dignitaries and some media folks
gathered at Horticultural Hall to witness the official designation
of Lake Geneva as a "Distinctive Destination". So
declared by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Trent Margrif, director of the National Trust's Wisconsin office,
presented the award to Mayor Chesen. In his remarks Mr.
Margrif said, "Lake Geneva has been called the Newport of the West
for a combination of reasons - unique in architectural styles and
the natural setting. It is interesting to note that
Newport, RI, is on our list as well. Truly you are on an
equal playing field. Now they can say they are the Lake
Geneva of the East."
Our city's natural wonders, lakefront estates, historic
homes and downtown architecture along with the beach and other
recreation were all reasons given for why Lake Geneva is on the list
with 11 other communities for 2009.
For more on this story go to the
Lake Geneva
Regional News website and do a search for "A distinctive honor".
Below are photos of our new
Distinctive Destination street banners which you will see downtown
from time to time. Click on a photo to enlarge it.
Programs
PLAQUES
In 1996 Mary Tanner began her
mission to rally the residents of oldest residential area of Lake
Geneva to get a 15
block area designated as a historic district.
It wasn't easy, but slowly interest grew and finally, with the help
of the LG-HPC, we now have the Maple Park Historic District.
To promote continued interest and to accommodate owners who are
proud of their buildings history, an attractive plaque with the
"date of birth" was designed. Currently over 120 plaques adorn
historic homes and business buildings in Lake Geneva.
To qualify as historic a home must be at least 50 years old,
well maintained and, most importantly, have retained its original
architectural integrity. If you think your home
might
qualify, the LG-HPC will do the research; the owner pays for the
plaque. Contact Mary Tanner at 262-248-0373.
TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Owning a historic property in Wisconsin
carries with it several benefits. For one thing carrying a
designation as a historic building often increases the market value
of your property. Another enticing benefit is the
ability to participate in federal and state tax incentive programs
for the rehabilitation of historic properties. Currently three
programs are available to owners of properties that are in, or
eligible for, the state or national registers of historic places.
These programs are:
Federal 20% Historic Rehabilitation Credit. A 20% federal tax credit for rehabilitating a historic income-producing building.
Wisconsin 5% Supplement Federal Rehab Credit. Also for income-producing buildings.
Wisconsin 25% Historic Rehabilitation Credit. A Wisconsin income tax credit for rehabilitating a non-income-producing personal residence.
To qualify for any of these tax credits, you must:
-
Own a historic property. Properties must be listed in The National or State Register of Historic Places, or eligible for such listing or be a contributing property in a National or State Historic District.
-
Spend a minimum amount of money on the rehabilitation work. For the personal residence that minimum is $10,000.
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Carry out the work according to program standards.
-
Formally apply and obtain approval before beginning any work.
For further details visit: www.wisconsinhistory.org/histbuild
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