A Little History of Williams Bay & Harbor View
Williams Bay has been welcoming lake visitors for nearly two centuries. What began as a Potawatomi settlement and later a small pioneer community grew into one of Geneva Lake’s most loved resort villages, attracting families, boaters, and vacationers from Chicago and beyond.
Harbor View Motel & Cabins are part of that tradition. Our family has owned and cared for this property since 1970, during a time when Williams Bay was still filled with classic lake cabins, mom-and-pop motels, and long-time summer families. We’ve had the pleasure of hosting generations of returning guests—many who still come back year after year for the same reasons: the beach, the fishing, the lake walks, and the familiar shops and restaurants that make Williams Bay feel like home.
What makes Harbor View special is that it still reflects the old-time Lake Geneva era—where you’re close to the water, surrounded by trees, and part of a quiet neighborhood, yet just steps from everything that makes the village come alive in summer. In a region where many historic properties have been replaced by large developments, we’re proud to preserve a place that feels like the Geneva Lake families remember.
We’re grateful to share this piece of Williams Bay history with you and look forward to helping you create your own lake memories.