History of Lake Kegonsa, including camps and steamboat

“Lake Kegonsa has provided a source of recreation and leisure activities for many years.  From the time the first Native Americans fished its shores to the cottage owners and park users that look to the lake today for fishing, boating, swimming, picnicing (sic), or just plain relaxing, the lake has always been there ready and waiting to provide an experience to be remembered for years to come. 

Lake Kegonsa is the southernmost lake of the four lakes of Madison.  During the last stage of the Pleistocene epoch, 10,000 years ago, Lake Kegonsa was covered by the Wisconsin glacier.  As the glacier receded, it left a deep valley which ran from north of Madison to Stoughton.  When the glacial ice melted, water drained into this valley.” 

The lake had no outlet, becoming Glacial Lake Yahara.  Eventually some water drained into the Rock River and as the lake receded it formed five small lakes which were connected by the Yahara River.  Today four of the five original lakes still remain. 

“The southern shore of the lake was populated with several camps as they were referred to in that day.  Starting at Dewey Bay and heading in an easterly direction there was Brooklyn Camp, Camp Columbia, Evansville Camp, Janesville Camp, Camp Collins Club, Monroe Camp, and the Beloit Camp on Nichol’s Point.  In addition to these seven camps there was a “golf ground” where the Stoughton Country Club now stands, Shadyside Park, Atkinson Park, and the Ravenswood Park and Hotel. The first of these encampments was the Camp Collins Club which was formed in the summer of 1885.  A group of Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad men and their families settled on the south shore of the lake.”  

Excerpts from ‘History of Lake Kegonsa’, no name or date

The Stoughton Park 

“Mr. Wm. A. Fermann has purchased of T.G. Mandt the beautiful park on the south shore of Lake Kegonsa, and has rechristened it, The Stoughton Park. . . “ 

“As in the past, the park will be always open to the public free, for the use of all who are disposed to keep within the bounds of order and decency.  No intoxicating drinks will be allowed upon the grounds.  A lunch stand will be fitted up, and rooms and beds will be fitted up to rent to camping parties.  It is also Mr. Fermann’s intention to secure a number of boats, fishing tackle, etc., for the use of fishing parties.” 

Stoughton Courier, June 15th 1883    

Wm. A. Fermann sold the park to the Camp Collins Club on September 30th, 1885.  

To read about the Williams Carriage House click here.

Williams Steamboat "Emma"

"An article in the Stoughton Courier on May 8, 1878, announced that a steamboat was coming to Lake Kegonsa - to be launched for the purpose of transporting passengers around the lake."
". . . The boat was coming by rail on two flatcars and the steamer was operated from the John William's property at a place called Sugar Bush, near the Yahara River outlet."
". . . on Monday, Sept. 16, 1878, the steamboat was christened.  Given the name "The Emma", she was placed . . . and made her maiden voyage around the lake."  "The Emma measured 57 feet long and nine feet wide, she had a four-foot six-inch hold and weighed 10 tons.  Sixty-five passengers could be transported on one trip and the boat cruised along at about 20 miles per hour, maximum speed, and it took about an hour to circle the lake."

Excerpts from an article written by Lorraine Hawkinson and printed in the Stoughton Courier Hub