Delavan Lake, formerly known as Swan Lake, was once heavily wooded along its banks and flanked further north by prairies and groves of oaks. Eventually, the banks of the lake wouldbecome home to many seasonal dwellings, which sprang up as summertime moved Delavan residents out of town and to the lake in order to escape the heat. By the 1880s, Delavan had become a popular tourist destination and dozens of resorts were built to accommodate visitors. Ultimately, steamers and excursion boats with daily schedules were added to the lake for sightseeing and ease of movement between resorts. This additional influx of people needed entertainment, giving birth to Delavan's ballroom era, which lasted until 1960.

When they left New York in 1836, brothers Henry and Samuel Phoenix intended to establish a temperance colony where inhabitants could live a life free from "demon alcohol." They found the perfect location in the Wisconsin Territory and named it Delavan after temperance leader and abolitionist Edward C. Delavan. The Phoenixes purchased 400 acres of land to sell to friends and family back in New York. The population soon boomed thanks to people like themselves who embraced the belief in an alcohol- and slavery-free society. All deeds were written with covenants prohibiting alcohol, but in 1845 the covenants were deemed unconstitutional. Since then, Delavan has been home to abolitionists, circus performers, and artists. It has drawn tourists from around the Midwest to its ballrooms, resorts, steamers, and beautiful lake. From Delavan's humble beginnings, the community has continued to grow to a population of more than 13,000, and today Delavan thrives on its industry, agriculture, and tourism.