Mathias and Margaret Timmer acquired this property on January 4, 1864, and Timmer’s Hotel opened in 1882. Guests traveled by train from Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee to Slinger (Schlesingerville) and then by carriage to the hotel, and later they came by way of the West Bend Northwestern Depot. By 1907, Leonard and Rose Timmer owned and operated the facilities, and in 1940 John and Beryl Timmer took over operation of the hotel, including the Annex and cottages. On Big Cedar Lake, Timmer’s Resort has served as a tourist attraction for 133 years and still functions as a scenic resort and popular restaurant on 85 acres of prime lake frontage.