Did we catch a ghost on camera at the Baker House in Lake Geneva?

Mike Huberty • August 15, 2023
A man in a hat is standing in front of a haunted house.

The Baker House



Now operating as a high-end Bed and Breakfast, has a rich history that dates back to 1885 when it was built for Emily Baker, the widow of Robert Baker. Robert was a successful businessman who made his fortune as a partner in the J.I. Case Company, which continues to operate today as a global manufacturer of construction equipment.


The house, originally known as Redwood Cottage, was named after the trees that provided the wood for its construction. It was built for a whopping sum of fifteen-thousand dollars and completed in 1885. Unfortunately, Robert had passed away by that point, leaving Emily and their adopted children to live there.


The security cameras are motion activated and will often turn on in the middle of the night and stay on for a long time, up to an hour, with nothing to show for it. Something moved that turned them on, but nothing appears on the image. Nothing until a couple of years back when the former owner of The Baker House told us that a translucent white feminine figure in a long gown faded into view on one of the cameras near the old servants' staircase, she proceeded to float across the room and disappear through the door. 


Now Sheree K. from Chicago took our Lake Geneva Ghost walk on Saturday August 12th, 2023 and made sure to email us on Monday morning after the tour. 

My friends and I were in Lake Geneva over the weekend, and went on the tour Saturday night. Overall, we took like 100 photos. That night when we got back to our rental house we sat and compared them. Moe did a great job on the tour, we were very pleased with her...
First two photos we had about 25 where nothing was in the window. We compared about 10 photos which were all taken at 9:04 PM between the 3 of us.  
A large building with a tower is lit up at night

There was a woman who appeared, looks like in period clothing. She appeared and then gone. I’m sure happy we caught this, so amazing… you can see she looks lit from behind.

A building with a lot of windows and a balcony

Do you see the ghostly woman in the image? Could it be the same spirit that the owner was talking about when we interviewed him back in 2017? 


Now, after the house was a dorm for the local seminary, it later became an extension of Oakwood Sanitarium , where it housed younger patients with "lighter nervous disorders." Could that have some kind of explanation for the following pictures?

The next photos, in the front there is a black metal fence beside the white car. My friend Kristen took the photo where it looked as if a small child was starting to appear on the lawn behind the fence. 
A car is parked in front of a large building at night.

You can see through the child as if he hasn’t fully appeared. 

A white car is parked in front of a house

Then my friend Jennifer caught him more behind the fence where he fully appeared, we have some zoomed in circled photos. This to me was the most interesting find of the night. Even in the photo where he looks fully appeared I’d say his legs are still see through.

A white car is parked in front of a building at night.

Now, Sheree says that they didn't see the boy before they were taking the pictures. So was this youngster just playing by himself at 9pm at night in downtown Lake Geneva? Or might it have been a manifestation of someone who used to be there when it was a hospital. Or could it be some kind of psychic recording of any number of people who have passed through the house over the past 140 years? Check our Milwaukee, WI ghost tour reviews on Google to see what others are saying. Ready for a haunting adventure?


The best way to find out is to see for yourself! Join us on our Lake Geneva Ghost Walk and travel to the Baker House in person, who knows who might show up?


Dive deeper into the mysterious world of hauntings with our curated collection of paranormal investigations and ghostly encounters. Read more stories like this in “Ghosts of Lake Geneva” by Rita Moore and R. Michael Huberty, a book of Lake Geneva ghost stories written by our own American Ghost Walks team. Click here for more.


Are you fascinated by the supernatural and craving more spine-tingling tales? Whether you're a skeptic seeking evidence or a believer looking for your next supernatural fix, "American Ghost Books" offers everything from historical haunted locations to firsthand accounts of paranormal experiences. Each book has been carefully selected to provide authentic, well-researched stories that will keep you turning pages well into the night. Don't let your curiosity about the supernatural remain unsatisfied – explore our collection and find your next ghostly adventure today! 


Uncover the haunting secrets of Wisconsin's most enchanting resort town with "Haunted Lake Geneva." This meticulously researched collection of supernatural tales takes you on a journey through the historic mansions, grand hotels, and shadowy shores of Geneva Lake. From the phantom footsteps echoing through the Baker House to the mysterious apparitions at the Maxwell Mansion, each page reveals a new layer of Lake Geneva's paranormal heritage. Perfect for both local history enthusiasts and ghost story lovers, this book combines carefully documented historical accounts with chilling firsthand experiences that will make you see this beloved vacation destination in an entirely new light. Whether you're a longtime resident or planning your first visit, these stories will forever change the way you experience Lake Geneva's historic downtown and lakeside paths.


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