The early history of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, is rich and diverse, reflecting the pioneering spirit of its settlers and the natural beauty of its surroundings. Much of this information is drawn from “Summer Enchantment: The History of Twin Lakes” by Greg Saucerman, published in 1994 by the Western Kenosha County Historical Society. Copies of this book are available on CD from the Village Hall and the Western Kenosha County Historical Society.

Twin Lakes was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi people. The area was later settled by European immigrants, primarily of German and Irish descent, in the mid-1800s. The region’s abundant natural resources, including fertile land and access to waterways, attracted settlers who engaged in farming, logging, and fishing.

The story of Twin Lakes begins with Mary Rae, a native of England, born on June 15, 1816. She arrived in America in 1833 and settled in an area known as “English Prairie.” In 1837, she married Jonathan Ineson, another early settler on the prairie. Their son, Robert, was the first born son in the County. The couple had a total of eight children, including the first set of twins born on the prairie, who were baptized Mary and Elizabeth. The names of these girls would later be given to the two glacial created lakes in the area, Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth. Twin Lakes has become known for its picturesque scenery and recreational opportunities.

In 1835, the first large hotel was built in the area named Akerman’s Resort, establishing the foundation for the tourism industry that would later flourish in Twin Lakes. The site of this hotel is now occupied by Regis Landing Condos.

During the 1850s, the Haegle family began operating an ice house on Lake Elizabeth, which was followed by others in the area. However, many of these ice houses burned down in the spring or summers due to the straw used to insulate the ice.

In 1892, Mrs. Gertrude Staudenmeyer opened The Lake House as a resort, further establishing Twin Lakes as a destination for vacationers seeking relaxation and recreation.

Throughout the early 20th century, Twin Lakes continued to grow and develop. In 1903, Becker’s store was built, followed by Hildebrandt’s next door, owned by O. Pfaffenberger. In 1904, John Kaplan constructed the Waldeck Hotel between the two lakes, and the first school, Cottage School District #4, was established.

In 1912 the local post office was established in the basement of LeRoy Winter’s home. And, the largest ballroom was constructed by Karl Rademacher, known as the Twin Lakes Ball Room, not currently names Rumpole’s.

The village of Twin Lakes was officially incorporated in 1937, marking a milestone in its history. Subsequent years saw the establishment of churches, including the first Catholic Church in 1942, the First Congregational Church in 1960, and Hope Lutheran Church in 1968, and St. John’s new Catholic Church built in 1971.

In 1994, Randall Consolidated School District became part of Twin Lakes.

In more recent decades, Twin Lakes has seen significant infrastructure developments, including the construction of a new police department in 2000 and a sewer plant in 2001. Major upgrades to the sewer plant were completed in 2023, following the construction of a new Village Hall in 2022, reflecting the village’s commitment to continued growth and progress.