Settled in 1856, Geneva was started around a post office by Edwin C. Stacy, the first postmaster there and the first probate judge for the county.

The city, and the adjoining lake and township, were named in remembrance of Geneva, New York.

The post office was first in the old Goodnature house south of the present senior apartments, and was later put into the big store.

In 1952, a new building was constructed north of the store, housing a barbershop and post office, but in 1979, the post office was moved to the house behind the Standard Station, which was destroyed by fire in 1987.

Over the years, Geneva has had hotel, a blacksmith and wagon shop, a hardware store, a creamery, a cigar store, a gas station, a meat market, a restaurant, a grocery store, a tavern and a feed mill, among others.

The city, in Freeborn County, had a population of 555 at the 2010 census.

— Information from “Freeborn County Heritage”

 

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