GLCC Boathouse

The Lawson’s attended the Columbia Exposition in 1893 and visited an exhibit sponsored by the Electric Launch Company of Bayonne New Jersey (also called ELCO). This was a relatively new boat company, but it was already establishing a reputation for making only the finest, high-quality boats. When the Lawson’s ordered their boat, sometime between 1904 & 1907, it was one of only three of that style and size built. The other two were built for Thomas Edison, and the other was for the Czar of Russia. The Lawson’s 56-foot launch was built of cypress, mahogany, and white oak. It had a kitchen, portable toilet and was powered by 140 batteries driving two electric motors. The electric power was important to Mrs. Lawson as she had asthma and reacted to the fumes.

The boat was housed in a magnificent Swiss-styled boat house built in 1910.

The Lawson’s had seen a magnificent boathouse during one of their trips to Switzerland and determined they wanted a replica on their Wisconsin estate. They sent an architect to Switzerland to take pictures, measure, and study the design to see how it was all put together. Coffer dams were used to hold back the water so the extensive foundation would be poured long before 1910 when the rest of the building would be built.

Mrs. Lawson decided that the boathouse should be parallel to the lake so the beauty of the building could be seen from the water. Special lumber was used and the roof tiles were imported from Italy. Interior hoists were installed and power was run from the powerhouse to charge the batteries on the boat “No Hurry.”

Mrs. Lawson liked to entertain her guests on the covered terrace on the north end of the boathouse. Furnishings were in place and large Italian Frescos were placed on the walls.