Lauderdale Lakes

History

The lakes were named after James Lauderdale. James moved to the area in 1841 along with his family. The New York native built the first residential building in 1842. James, his brother-in-law, and his cousin each purchased 160 acres of the Homestead Act price of $1.25 an acre. James and his family went back to New York and shortly returned in September 1842. James built a log cabin along the shore. James' wife didn't like living next to the water so they built a larger house next to the road in 1855. Eight years later, Chicago native John Wheeler bought the shoreline property and started building the Sterlingworth Hotel in 1893.

Geography

The area sits within the town of La Grange, and is about 10 miles away from the nearest city, Elkhorn, as the crow flies. The area is home to the Lauderdale Lakes: Green Lake, Mill Lake, and Middle Lake. As part of this lake system are various bays and islands within the lakes. The area was carved out in the Last Glacial Period, and all lakes in the Lauderdale Lakes system are glacial lakes. The area is also home to many kettles and moraines, characteristic of southeastern Wisconsin. Situated on a peninsula between Green Lake and Middle Lake is the Peterson Island Woods Preserve. It is a 40-acre park with a small trail. It was designated in 2016 by the Kettle Moraine Land Trust board to honor its former president of 15 years, Jerry Peterson.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Elkhorn Area High
  High · Elkhorn · 974 students · 15.5:1 ratio
• Elkhorn Area Middle
  Middle · Elkhorn · 705 students · 16.4:1 ratio
• Whitewater High
  High · Whitewater · 612 students · 15.3:1 ratio
• Jackson Elementary
  Elementary · Elkhorn · 521 students · 16.8:1 ratio
• East Troy High
  High · East Troy · 500 students · 14.7:1 ratio
• West Side Elementary
  Elementary · Elkhorn · 452 students · 14.6:1 ratio
• Tibbets Elementary
  Elementary · Elkhorn · 444 students · 17.8:1 ratio
• Whitewater Middle
  Middle · Whitewater · 444 students · 13.1:1 ratio