The Estates of Lawsonia is a platted subdivision in the easterly portion of the estate of Victor and Jessie Lawson, created between the late 1880s and 1925. The fascinating history of the creation of the Lawson estate is told in the book, Just Do It Jessie’s Way, available at the Worldwide Gifts shop at Green Lake Conference Center.
View the sales booklet created by the Lawsonia Corporation - Lawsonia: A Community of Summer Homes within a Great Country Estate
View the sales booklet created by the Lawsonia Corporation - Lawsonia: A Community of Summer Homes within a Great Country Estate
Rosemont
One of the estate’s early settlers was David Malcolm. Born in Scotland in 1808, David was an accountant in Manchester, England. He later moved his family to Belfast, Ireland where he also established himself in the linen business. In 1851 he came to America, exploring both Minnesota and Wisconsin looking for a place to settle. He bought 640 acres near Dartford and the Estates of Lawsonia is laid out within the Malcolm estate. He built a beautiful two-story brick home (considered upscale at the time) and named it Rosemont. This was located north of their stable, which was converted into Kinbrook House in 1930. From the upstairs windows one could see the lake in the distance, just one mile away.
Sadly, when he sent for his family, he was devastated to learn that his wife had died in 1852. Their six children arrived in Dartford later that year. He became a farmer and lived the rest of his life at Rosemont until his death in 1891. In 1905, 238 acres of his estate were sold to Victor Lawson and became part of the Lone Tree Farm estate. Rosemont was razed in 1942.
Sadly, when he sent for his family, he was devastated to learn that his wife had died in 1852. Their six children arrived in Dartford later that year. He became a farmer and lived the rest of his life at Rosemont until his death in 1891. In 1905, 238 acres of his estate were sold to Victor Lawson and became part of the Lone Tree Farm estate. Rosemont was razed in 1942.
Between the late 1880s and 1925 the Lawsons designed and had built the winding roads and their stone walls and bridges, the boathouse, arbors, iconic towers and beautiful barns. The Tea House on the western part of the Lawson estate housed the first clubhouse for a 9 hole golf course where the campgrounds of Green Lake Conference Center are now located. After Victor died without heirs, the estate was sold.
Between 1925 and the 1930s the estate was developed into a luxury resort by the Stone Company. In this era, the iconic Roger Williams Inn and many magnificent homes were constructed. For example, Delmar Miller House (Mediterranean inspired), Anne Hathaway Cottage (inspired by the home of Anne Hathaway, mother of William Shakespeare, in Stratford Upon Avon in England) and Kinbrook (English inspired) are all located close to the Estates of Lawsonia lots and herald from this era. It was during the 1930s that the world renowned Links Golf course was also designed and built by William Langford, and played by such golfing icons as Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead in the Lawsonia Open. Langford's portrait, putter and the blueprints for the front 9 can all be seen today in the Golf Courses of Lawsonia clubhouse.
In 1943, the Northern Baptists purchased the property as a place to equip, renew and network Christian leaders to go out and serve churches and communities around the world. The conference center was first named the Northern Baptist Assembly, then the American Baptist Assembly and now Green Lake Conference Center (glcc.org), always staying focused on this mission purpose. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Woodlands Golf Course was constructed amidst a cathedral of towering trees, Lawson-era stone walls and quarry, and scampering deer. It is on this course of the two Golf Courses of Lawsonia (Lawsonia.com) that the majority of the Estates of Lawsonia lots sit. More of this history can be read on the conference center's history page. Click here to view the Green Lake Conference Center grounds map.
Between 1925 and the 1930s the estate was developed into a luxury resort by the Stone Company. In this era, the iconic Roger Williams Inn and many magnificent homes were constructed. For example, Delmar Miller House (Mediterranean inspired), Anne Hathaway Cottage (inspired by the home of Anne Hathaway, mother of William Shakespeare, in Stratford Upon Avon in England) and Kinbrook (English inspired) are all located close to the Estates of Lawsonia lots and herald from this era. It was during the 1930s that the world renowned Links Golf course was also designed and built by William Langford, and played by such golfing icons as Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead in the Lawsonia Open. Langford's portrait, putter and the blueprints for the front 9 can all be seen today in the Golf Courses of Lawsonia clubhouse.
In 1943, the Northern Baptists purchased the property as a place to equip, renew and network Christian leaders to go out and serve churches and communities around the world. The conference center was first named the Northern Baptist Assembly, then the American Baptist Assembly and now Green Lake Conference Center (glcc.org), always staying focused on this mission purpose. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Woodlands Golf Course was constructed amidst a cathedral of towering trees, Lawson-era stone walls and quarry, and scampering deer. It is on this course of the two Golf Courses of Lawsonia (Lawsonia.com) that the majority of the Estates of Lawsonia lots sit. More of this history can be read on the conference center's history page. Click here to view the Green Lake Conference Center grounds map.
Today, the Estates of Lawsonia offers a magical combination of access to:
The Golf Courses of Lawsonia. “The geometric shapes and steep, angular slopes of Lawsonia’s massive green pads and deep bunkers have led many to conclude it’s a Seth Raynor design, which it is not. Langford and Moreau built the course using steam shovels, which resulted in most of those distinctive landforms. The par-3 seventh has another explanation entirely. Its green, perched like a birthday cake, was formed by piling dirt over an old railroad boxcar.” GolfDigest Magazine
The Links Course has impressive rankings:
The Woodlands Course was renovated extensively in 2021 with the replacement of poorly draining bunkers and the introduction of new, strategic interest and fun on the golf course. The results are dramatic and impressive, with increased playability for all skill levels. If you’ve played the Woodlands in the past, some improvements you’ll enjoy include:
Pristine Green Lake. The deepest lake in Wisconsin at 237', Green Lake is spring-fed and offers great fishing, boating and swimming. Contact Pierless Boat Rentals to rent a boat or jet ski. All lots own several outlots as a part of the association, including outlot 2 on the shores of Green Lake (map). Great public beaches nearby include Hattie Sherwood Park, Dodge Memorial County Park and Sunset Park. Please note that Green Lake Conference Center's beach is private and not open to Estates of Lawsonia homeowners or the general public.
The Estates connects you to the fabulous 27 mile Loop the Lake bike route which runs around the entire lake, enabling you to safely enjoy the winding roads, hills and lake views while never having to ride on Highway 23.
The City of Green Lake (pop. 960) has four lovely parks, restaurants, shops, lively festivals and concerts. For more information about the Green Lake area, visit Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
Two Green Lake Conservancy-protected and maintained trails on the western portion of the Lawson estates. Hammer's Trail is a wooded hike that begins in the Tea House area. Winnebago Trail, originally used by the Winnebago Indians, follows the shoreline and begins near the Teen water tower.
Conferences. Sign up for a conference at Green Lake Conference Center. A variety of programs are offered for adults, youth, families, pastors and ministry leaders.
The Golf Courses of Lawsonia. “The geometric shapes and steep, angular slopes of Lawsonia’s massive green pads and deep bunkers have led many to conclude it’s a Seth Raynor design, which it is not. Langford and Moreau built the course using steam shovels, which resulted in most of those distinctive landforms. The par-3 seventh has another explanation entirely. Its green, perched like a birthday cake, was formed by piling dirt over an old railroad boxcar.” GolfDigest Magazine
The Links Course has impressive rankings:
- #87 Top 100 Courses in the US 2020-2021 by Golf.com
- #23 Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play by Golfweek (#4 in WI)
- #66 Top 200 Courses in the USA
- #58 in America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest
The Woodlands Course was renovated extensively in 2021 with the replacement of poorly draining bunkers and the introduction of new, strategic interest and fun on the golf course. The results are dramatic and impressive, with increased playability for all skill levels. If you’ve played the Woodlands in the past, some improvements you’ll enjoy include:
- Rebuilt and redesigned bunkers on all 18 holes
- Rebuilt green surrounds on all 18 holes, adding expanded short grass areas
- Expansion of no. 2 green
- Restoration of "The Quarry" on no. 2
- Opened views to Green Lake on no. 3
- Rebuilt no. 3 tee complex
- Extensive tree clearing and trimming throughout the course
- Addition of improved drainage in slow-draining areas
- Fairway modifications on select holes
- New green on no. 18, with the original green serving as a fun "19th Hole"
Pristine Green Lake. The deepest lake in Wisconsin at 237', Green Lake is spring-fed and offers great fishing, boating and swimming. Contact Pierless Boat Rentals to rent a boat or jet ski. All lots own several outlots as a part of the association, including outlot 2 on the shores of Green Lake (map). Great public beaches nearby include Hattie Sherwood Park, Dodge Memorial County Park and Sunset Park. Please note that Green Lake Conference Center's beach is private and not open to Estates of Lawsonia homeowners or the general public.
The Estates connects you to the fabulous 27 mile Loop the Lake bike route which runs around the entire lake, enabling you to safely enjoy the winding roads, hills and lake views while never having to ride on Highway 23.
The City of Green Lake (pop. 960) has four lovely parks, restaurants, shops, lively festivals and concerts. For more information about the Green Lake area, visit Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
Two Green Lake Conservancy-protected and maintained trails on the western portion of the Lawson estates. Hammer's Trail is a wooded hike that begins in the Tea House area. Winnebago Trail, originally used by the Winnebago Indians, follows the shoreline and begins near the Teen water tower.
Conferences. Sign up for a conference at Green Lake Conference Center. A variety of programs are offered for adults, youth, families, pastors and ministry leaders.