Lured by the stories of soldiers returning from the Black Hawk War, Easterners settled here on both sides of the Fox River. Geneva became a rallying place and supply point for pioneers continuing farther west. The first retail establishment was a hardware and general store; the second sold satin and lace, which began Geneva's unique tradition as a place hospitable to highly specialized retailing. Today, the town has more than 100 specialty stores. Geneva's greatest asset, however, is its historic district, which has more than 200 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cyclists and hikers enjoy the trails that wind through the parks adjacent to the Fox River.