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Crystal Lake, Illinois

Crystal Lake is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Named after a lake 1.6 mi southwest of the city's downtown, Crystal Lake is 45 mi northwest of Chicago. The population was 40,269 as of the 2020 census. Crystal Lake is the most populous city in McHenry County, part of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Founding

The City of Crystal Lake traces its origin to two communities which were established in the 1800s. Those communities were generally known as Nunda and Crystal Lake. In 1835, Ziba S. Beardsley had come to the shores of the lake and commented that the "waters were as clear as crystal", thereby giving the lake its name. Ziba Beardsley continued south to Naperville. In February 1836, the first white settlers, Beman and Polly Crandall and six of their ten children, came from New York State traveling to Crystal Lake in a covered wagon. Their original cabin was built in the vicinity of today's intersection of Virginia Street and Van Buren Street. Four of the Crandall children were born there. Najah Beardsley's family was the second to settle in the area; his grandson, William Beardsley, was the first white child born on the Crystal Lake prairie, on May 7, 1837.

The town was first known as Crystal Ville. It was changed to Crystal Lake sometime before 1840. The area known today as downtown Crystal Lake was first called Dearborn and later, Nunda (pronounced locally as "Nun-day"), from an area in New York where many settlers originated. The village of Dearborn was founded in the 1850s after an extension of railroads through the area. The first train station was built in 1856, although it was pre-fabricated and shipped from Chicago on a flatcar. At that time, the main business district for the village of Crystal Lake was located on Virginia Street, about one mile (1.6 km) southwest of the railroad station. The railroad served to connect both the people and industries of Crystal Lake and Dearborn to Chicago and the rest of the country.

On October 7, 1868, Dearborn's name was changed to Nunda. The village was platted in 1868 by local surveyor, John Brink, after whom a downtown street is now named. The village included the area now generally bounded by Illinois Route 176 on the north, Crystal Lake Avenue on the south, Main Street on the east, and Walkup Avenue on the west. Much of the land was originally owned by two early settlers, Daniel Ellsworth and Simon S. Gates. The villages of Crystal Lake and Nunda were both incorporated in 1874. In 1908, the name of the village of Nunda changed its name to North Crystal Lake. Several attempts were made to consolidate the two villages, and finally, after much disagreement, the village of North Crystal Lake was annexed to the Village of Crystal Lake in 1914, and a consolidated city government was established.

Dole family

Back in the 1860s, when the town of Crystal Lake was about 25 years old, Charles S. Dole purchased over 1,000 acre of land overlooking the lake. It was his dream to construct an elaborate estate that would reflect his position as a successful businessman. He was an early member of the Chicago Board of Trade, being associated with Armour, Dole & Co. in Chicago. To carry out his plan, he built a three-story mansion with adjoining gardens and stables. European craftsmen were imported to lay parquet floors, fashion archways and carve interior wood work from black walnut trees grown on the property. As a final touch, he brought in Italian artisans to build several marble fireplaces. According to Mr. Dole's obituary, construction costs exceeded $100,000, an enormous amount of money in those days.

The estate was known as Lakeland Farm. Mr. Dole lived there with his wife Julia, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Harriet Coffin, his two daughters, Mary Florence, Harriet (Hattie), and son, Sydney. Dole maintained the estate for over 30 years, entertaining lavishly. As an example, for his daughter's wedding in 1883 he built a spur line from the Chicago and Northwestern railway tracks almost to his doorstep. A canopied and carpeted walkway extended 750 ft from the front door to the train enabling the guests to walk to the mansion for the ceremony and return to the train without concern for the weather. Notable wedding guests included Julian Rumsey (mayor of Chicago and Dole's first cousin) and Levi Leiter (first partner with Marshall Field).

Mr. Dole's interests changed throughout the years. He laid out a half-mile racetrack on his property and purchased the finest horses that money could buy, soon accumulating a string of horses that was the envy of northern Illinois. It is said that Dole loved to go up in his tower (currently closed off) and watch his horses run. When tired of the fad of his stable, he disposed of his horses by holding an elaborate sale. The Doles lived in the mansion until the late 1890s when the property was sold to his son-in-law for $1.00.

During the early 1900s, the property was owned and operated by several ice companies. Ice was harvested from Crystal Lake and shipped by rail to nearby Chicago. The advent of refrigeration brought about the decline of the ice business. After laying vacant for several years, the property was sold in 1922 to the Lake Development Company. The building was purchased by the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake in 1977. The annex portion of the structure was renovated by thousands of hours of volunteer work. The Church named the facility "Lakeside Center" and operated it as a community activities center, hosting Friendship House Day Care Center for children, church offices, meeting rooms, reception hall, and retreat facilities. Today the Dole Mansion is owned by the Lakeside Legacy, along with Lakeside center, which is the building connected to the Dole Mansion. Dole Mansion is located along the lake, and there is a festival held on the grounds every year.

Eliza Ringling
Ringling Road is an east-west road which curves from Country Club Road back up to Lake Avenue. There are less than one dozen houses that claim a Ringling Road address; but those houses range from a small, stone cottage to large, imposing mansions. It is no mistake that Ringling Road provides the northern boundary for the Dole Mansion property. The road was named after Eliza "Lou" Ringling who, as founder of the Lake Development Company, purchased the Dole Mansion in 1922 and converted it into the first Crystal Lake Country Club. The transaction involved nearly a half million dollars and was one of the largest real estate deals handled in the area. The original Crystal Lake Country Club faltered in the stock market crash of 1929, and Mrs. Ringling, with her group of investors (the Lake Development Company) subdivided much of the large Dole estate into what is known as the Country Club Additions subdivision parts of which are in the neighboring village Lakewood, Illinois.

Eliza "Lou" Ringling was the widow of the oldest Ringling brother, Albert, of circus fame.

Teco pottery
The American Terra Cotta Tile and Ceramic Company was founded in 1881 just north of Crystal Lake, Illinois. Most of the workers at the tile and ceramic works factory came from Crystal Lake, The production consisted of drain tile, brick and architectural items. In 1886 the Gates Pottery was established as a subsidiary with William D. Gates, a Crystal Lake area native as its president. The company fabricated architectural glazed terra cotta that was used on buildings designed by architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright in the style of the Prairie School. American Terra Cotta's company records show that architectural glazed terra cotta was used on many local buildings including Oak Manufacturing Company, Teckler Building, Cohn Store, Telephone Exchange and Commercial Building, El-Tovar Theatre, Crystal Lake High School and additions, Central School and additions, Pure Oil Research Lab and additions, Sinclair Refining Company Service Station, Warner Building, Citizens State Bank, Garbe Garage, Home State Bank, various Williams Street stores and bakeries, and Martinetti's Motel.

Gates used the facilities to experiment with clays and glazes in an effort to design a line of art pottery which led to the introduction of Teco pottery (from TErra COtta, but pronounced locally as "Tea-co") in 1902. Many of the pottery pieces were designed by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Produced for only a few years, this pottery exemplifies the Arts and Crafts Movement and today is highly sought after by art collectors. Teco pottery is in the collection of many museums.

Recent history
On April 11, 1965, during the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak, a large and devastating tornado damaged or destroyed large portions of the city. Six people were killed by the tornado, and a further 75 wounded. Damages in the city totaled over $1.5 million, as 80 homes and a shopping center were completely destroyed. Disaster shelters were set up to house the homeless, and then-governor of Illinois, Otto Kerner, Jr., personally visited the city to view the damage.

Crystal Lake is the city where the tradition of giving gold coins to the Salvation Army anonymously began in 1982.

In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the history of Crystal Lake consisted mainly of the growth of suburban subdivisions, as the population increased to 38,000 in the 2000 Census from 21,823 in the 1990 Census. In order to deal with the growth, Crystal Lake South High School was opened in 1978. Previously, Crystal Lake Community High School (now Crystal Lake Central High School) had served the entire city of Crystal Lake since 1924. A third high school, Prairie Ridge High School, opened in 1997 north of the city to accommodate the spread moving into the area between Crystal Lake and the two communities directly to its north, Prairie Grove and Bull Valley.

Aaron T. Shepley was the mayor of Crystal Lake from 1999 to his death in 2020, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city's history.

On July 7, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden visited McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, becoming the first sitting president to visit the city. Then-Vice President George H. W. Bush had twice visited Crystal Lake in 1988 while campaigning for president.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Crystal Lake has a total area of 18.957 sqmi, of which 18.35 sqmi (or 96.8%) is land and 0.607 sqmi (or 3.2%) is water.

Neighborhoods

As the largest city in McHenry County, Crystal Lake contains three high schools and has many separate neighborhoods.

Starting from the north of the city, the ten largest neighborhoods are easy to trace out. The first has no de facto name like the others, but is referred to as "by Prairie Ridge," referring to the nearby high school of the same name. Houses in this neighborhood are large and widely spaced. The entire area lies just to the north of the city, from the downtown area to the adjacent community of Bull Valley. Some of the communities include Deer Wood, Covered Bridge Trails and Walk-up Woods. Next is downtown Crystal Lake, which rings Crystal Lake Central High School. Houses here range greatly in size and age, and it is the most diverse neighborhood in the city. Directly south of downtown Crystal Lake is the Coventry neighborhood, named for the major through street Coventry Lane. Students in the Coventry neighborhood attend either Central High School of Crystal Lake or Crystal Lake South High School. Oral tradition holds that Coventry was originally populated by pilots who fly out of O'Hare Airport. The neighborhood Burtons Bridge is located at the north-eastern side of Crystal Lake.

To the southwest of downtown Crystal Lake is the sprawling Four Colonies neighborhood, which covers nearly 2.5 sqmi. Students from Four Colonies attend both Central and South High School. South of Four Colonies is The Villages neighborhood, which is named for its major thoroughfare, Village Road. An important feature of The Villages is Indian Prairie Elementary School, which is built on a large and steep series of hills that is a favorite sledding location during the snowy months. The residents attend South High School. A neighborhood Northeast of Four Colonies is Wedgewood. Wedgewood includes five ponds, and a forest that backs up to Huntley Road, with a paved walking path. Wedgewood has five brick entrance signs saying "Wedgewood", and 3 prominent entrances; the front entrance on Huntley Road's intersection with Lakeview Drive, the back entrance on Huntley Road's intersection with Boneset Drive, and the side entrance on Country Club Road. Wedgewood consists of single family homes and multi-family dwellings such as townhouses. Wedgewood Drive circles the whole neighborhood, and is a $1 1/2$-mile circle.

Other neighborhoods in Crystal Lake ring the town's namesake lake, and are called West End, North Shore, and the Vista. These neighborhoods consist of many older homes built on the lake shore, and vary greatly in size and style. Effectively a neighborhood and occupying the entire south shore of the lake is the independent Village of Lakewood, historically a restricted community connected strongly to the Crystal Lake Country Club alongside it.

Climate
The city's climate is much like that of its large neighboring city, Chicago. The city experiences hot summers and cold winters, with temperatures slightly more extreme than those of closer suburbs, because rural land still surrounds the city. Due to the lack of the urban heat island effect, Crystal Lake experiences colder nights and lower precipitation than recorded at Chicago. High temperatures are usually comparable to those in Chicago, with only a few degrees difference on most days.

The hottest month of the year is July, when the average high temperature is approximately 86 F. Temperatures in July, and in summer in general, can frequently exceed 95 F, and occasionally exceed 100 F, although this does not happen each year. The coldest month of the year is January, where the average high temperature is 23 F. Overnight low temperatures are usually around 8 F. In winter, the low temperatures fall below 0 F on many (often as many as fifteen or twenty) occasions per year. Extremely cold nights may record temperatures as low as -20 F or lower, but this is rare and does not happen each year.

The wettest month of the year is August, when thunderstorms contribute brief, heavy downpours of rain. July is the second-wettest month of the year, also mainly due to thunderstorms. However, long dry spells can also occur at this time of year, sometimes lasting weeks. The two driest months of the year are January and February, where almost all of the precipitation falls as snow. In a typical year, total precipitation is 37 in with a winter snowfall total of 40 in. Large snowstorms, although rare, do occur and can accumulate large amounts of snow. In many years, at least one storm will deliver 12 in of snow in one day. Most snow-bearing systems are Alberta clippers, while the more infrequent heavy snows are caused by Panhandle hooks.

2020 census
As of the 2020 Census, there were 40,269 people, 14,780 households, and 10,551 families living in the city. There were 15,371 total housing units, and 31.9% were in multi-unit structures. The racial makeup of the city was 79.8% White (76.92% white non-Hispanic), 1.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.8% Asian, <0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.1% from other races, and 9.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.8% of the population.

35.4% of the households included children under 18, 51.0% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 2.6% had a male householder with no spouse present.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 6.1% under the age of 5, 24.0% under the age of 18, 76.0% aged 18 and older, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $87,578, and the median income for a family was $105,324. Males had a median income of $58,611 versus $41,026 for females. The median income for the city was $36,405. About 4.9% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

In 1990, the population of Latinos (Hispanics) was at 0.1%. Per the 2000 US Census, the Latino population increased to 7% and per the 2010 US Census, the Latino population increased to 11.7%. As of 2020, the population of Latinos is 14.8%.

2010 census
As of the 2010 Census, there were 40,743 people, 14,421 households, and 10,551 families living in the city. The population density was 2,220/sq mi (857/km$2$). There were 15,176 total housing units and 22% of all housing units were in multi-unit structures. The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.5% Asian, <0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.7% of the population.

39.2% of the households included children under 18, 58.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 20.3% had someone at least 65 years old living alone. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $78,311, and the median income for a family was $91,870. Males had a median income of $61,982 versus $44,288 for females. The median income for the city was $36,405. About 5.2% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Crystal Lake, as a city, is large enough to entertain its cultural institutions. However, it also shares many cultural opportunities with the city of Chicago, and the other large communities which surround it, as they are easily accessible from Crystal Lake, and vice versa. The city is home to the Northwest Herald, the only daily newspaper published in McHenry County. The newspaper deals mainly with local issues, but also carries national and world news. Churches are also a large influence within the city, hosting many annual events. Crystal Lake is also home to WZSR Star 105.5, owned by Alpha Media, which broadcasts throughout the northwest suburbs and Fox Valley.

Another large presence in the city is the Crystal Lake Park District, which runs all of the city's numerous parks and the yearly events which take place within them. Two major parks run by the park district are Veterans Acres, along Walkup Road, and Main Beach, along with the namesake Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake is open whenever the weather is accommodating. However, boating is often restricted due to disputes with both the homeowners on the lake and the village of Lakewood, in which approximately 30% of the lake lies. The Crystal Lake Rowing Club has a boathouse in Kamijima Park, on the west end of Crystal Lake, and rows on the lake during the no-wake hours (usually early mornings and early evenings). In Crystal Lake lies the famed Dole mansion, where visitors can take tours for a small donation.

Among the city's sites of interest is the historic downtown district. The downtown district, which recently has undergone a revitalization, is home to many small specialty shops and businesses, and is a local shopping district. Also located in the downtown district is the Raue Center for the Arts, which seats 750 and performs plays and hosts concerts throughout the year. Raue Center has recently transformed itself into a regional destination spot by providing an in house professional theater company, Williams Street Repertory, Jazz Festival launched by Ramsey Lewis and hosting several recent Tony, Grammy, and Academy award winners. The Raue Center has received four MacArthur Grants and regularly receives National Endowment for the Arts support. The city is also home to the Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline, Crystal Lake Community Band, and Encore Music Academy, home of Encore Youth Choir, McHenry County Youth Orchestra and Voices in Harmony (formerly known as the Crystal Lake Community Choir).

The Col. Gustavus A. Palmer House is a historic residence in Crystal Lake, being constructed in 1858.

Economy
The economy of Crystal Lake is fairly decentralized, as there is no central industry within the city. There are several large companies, but none of them is a majority employer. The main economic activities in the city are retail, dining, and light industry. This includes small, specialized, local-owned shops and restaurants as well as broader-ranged national chains. There are several industrial parks in Crystal Lake, which are full of small, independently-owned businesses which engage in various industries, such as landscaping or automotive repair.

The shopping center for most of Crystal Lake centers on "the strip", a long stretch of road that runs along what once used to be Crystal Pointe Mall but is now a series of strip malls. The strip is located on Route 14 between Route 31 and Dole Avenue. As the name suggests, this area has mostly national chains. Another shopping area is the downtown district, which is where some, small independent stores are located. Because of parking challenges in the downtown area, many thriving independent businesses can be found in convenient areas throughout the city where access for their customers is more centralized and parking is more abundant.

The south side of the city features several gravel quarries. A majority of these quarries are already exhausted, and have been allowed to fill with water, forming an area known as the Vulcan Lakes, also stretching into Lake in the Hills and Algonquin. The two northernmost lakes are now known as Three Oaks Recreation Area. Recreational operations at this site started in Autumn, 2010, and it has since become one of the most popular destinations in Crystal Lake.

Parks and recreation
The Crystal Lake Park District, a separate elected governing body not associated with the city, offers more than 40 parks and recreation areas. Notable parks maintained by the Park District include the 140-acre Veteran Acres Park and Lippold Park, the largest single park in the district at 305 acres.

Mayor
The Mayor presides at all meetings of the city council and is otherwise the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes, and any other purposes determined by the city council, or in emergencies, by the governor. The mayor has no regular administrative duties, as the city operates under a council-manager form of government. The current mayor is Haig Haleblian.

The city council consists of Ellen Brady, Cathy Ferguson, Brett Hopkins, Cameron Hubbard, Mandy Montford, Ian Philpot. Nick Kachiroubas is the City Clerk in Crystal Lake.

Education
Crystal Lake's high schools are part of Community High School District 155. Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 runs all middle schools and elementary schools in the city. Prairie Grove Consolidated School District #46 also serves a portion of northeast Crystal Lake.

There are five high schools which serve the city of Crystal Lake. The oldest, Crystal Lake Central High School, graduated its first class in 1924. In response to pressures from the increasing population, Crystal Lake South High School was opened in 1978. Prairie Ridge High School opened in the fall of 1997. Small portions of Crystal Lake are served by Cary-Grove High School and Woodstock High School. Also located in Crystal Lake is Faith Lutheran High School, which serves the larger McHenry County area.

Additional schools serving Crystal Lake include Lord and Savior Lutheran School, a Pre-K-8 grade school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Crystal Lake, St. Thomas the Apostle, a private Roman Catholic school that serves Pre-K through eighth grade, also in Crystal Lake, Immanuel Lutheran School, a private Lutheran school that serves Pre-K through eighth grade, also in Crystal Lake, Alexander Leigh Center for Autism in McHenry, a full day, year-round therapeutic day school for children 3–21 years old with autism spectrum disorder, OHI, multiple disabilities, developmental delay and/or intellectual disabilities, and the School of Expressive Arts & Learning campus in Woodstock for those with learning disorders and autism spectrum disorder.

Additionally, there are two colleges in Crystal Lake: McHenry County College, a community college, offers associate degrees. Columbia College also has an extension campus based in Crystal Lake.

Transportation

Crystal Lake is located 45 mi northwest of Chicago, is about a 45-minute drive from O'Hare International Airport, and is near several major highways and interstates. The Metra Rail Union Pacific Northwest Line provides transportation to and from Chicago, and all other stations on Metra's Northwest Line. Taxi service in Crystal Lake is provided by the Crystal Lake Cab Company, Crystal Lake Taxi Services, and American Dependable. Also serving Crystal Lake is the Pace Bus system, which is the owned by the RTA (Regional Transit Authority).

Sister cities

 * Holzgerlingen, Germany (since 1996)

title: Crystal Lake, Illinois


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Greenwood, Illinois

Greenwood is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It is a commuter village, part of the Chicago metropolitan area It was incorporated as a village on April 4, 1995. The population was 324 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Greenwood is located at 42.39139°N, -88.38667°W (42.391353, -88.386788).

According to the 2010 census, Greenwood has a total area of 1.86 sqmi, all land.

Major streets

 * Greenwood Road
 * Howe Road
 * West Wonder Lake Road
 * Thompson Road
 * Wondermere Road
 * Allendale Road
 * Miller Road

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 244 people, 84 households, and 66 families residing in the village. The population density was 156.6 PD/sqmi. There were 86 housing units at an average density of 55.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.03% White, 2.46% Asian, 0.82% from other races, and 3.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.56% of the population.

There were 84 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $56,250, and the median income for a family was $65,179. Males had a median income of $40,000 versus $32,708 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,216. About 3.2% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Greenwood, Illinois


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Harvard, Illinois

Harvard is a city located in McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 9,469 at the 2020 census. The city is 63 miles from the Chicago Loop and it is the last stop on the Union Pacific Northwest Line.

History

The original owners of the land which came to be Harvard, Illinois, were Abram Carmack and Jacob Davis, who obtained it from the government in 1845 and sold it to Gilbert Brainard shortly afterward. Upon Gilbert Brainard's death, the land was purchased by Amos Page, Otis Eastman, and Elbridge Gerry Ayer. These three men planned the layout of the town and named it "Harvard" in honor of Harvard, Massachusetts. The plat was signed by Judge J. M. Strode in Woodstock, Illinois, on November 25, 1856. Shortly afterward Amos Page and Otis Eastman sold their shares of the property to Elbridge Gerry Ayer. Mr.Ayer's involvement came out of his business interest in the extension of the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company railroad west from Cary, toward Janesville, Wisconsin. The newly platted town of Harvard was located directly on the route of the extension, and in April 1856 the railroad accepted Ayer's offer of land to build a station in the town.

In 1856 Mr. Wesley Diggins built a hotel for Mr. H. C. Blackman, who sold it to Mr. Elbridge Gerry Ayer in 1859. Mr. Ayer built additional floors to raise it to a height of three stories and added a wing and a veranda. During the Civil War, sick and wounded soldiers passing through Harvard were lodged at the hotel with no charge for their meals. In 1925 the Ayer Hotel was purchased by Mr. S. J. Noble and renamed the Noble Hotel. When he could not maintain mortgage payments it was purchased in 1937 by Mr. P. G. Allen and renamed the Hub Hotel. The building was destroyed in a fire on December 22, 1960.

As railroad employment expanded, Harvard's population grew. On April 18, 1869, voters incorporated the community and elected Elbridge Gerry Ayer as the first village president. The first ordinance adopted required every able-bodied citizen between the ages of 18 and 60 to perform one day of labor for the town.

Harvard was turned from a town into a city when citizens voted to do so (with a vote of 550 to 5) on April 6, 1891. With this change, Harvard was no longer a town administered by a village president. It became a city administered by a mayor.

Motorola opened a 1500000 sqft mobile telephone manufacturing and distribution facility on Harvard's north side in 1997. The plant employed more than 5,000 at its peak. However, a combination of factors, including a significant decline in Motorola's business in the early 2000s, compelled the company to shutter the facility in 2003. On August 13, 2008, the 1.5 million square foot facility was sold to Optima International's Optima Ventures, LLC a Miami-based real estate investment firm led by Chaim Schochet and 2/3rd owned by the Ihor Kolomoyskyi associated Privat Group, one of Ukraine's largest business and banking groups holding 33% of the individual deposits and accounting for 25% of Ukraine's banking sector from 2003 to 2016. In 2016, Xiao Hua "Edward" Gong, who was born in China but resides in Toronto, purchased the former Motorola plant but, in December 2017, prosecutors in Canada and New Zealand alleged that the plant was part of a money laundering scheme and fraud involving Chinese citizens purchasing securities valued at hundreds of millions of dollars and supported by firms in New Zealand.

In 2006, Harvard held a year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration. The Greater Harvard Area Historical Society is located on Hart Street. The society identifies and marks historical sites in the area. It also works to obtain histories of Harvard families, businesses, and farms that have been in operation for more than 100 years.

Harvard is the self-proclaimed Milk Capital of the World and hosts one of the longest-running festivals in Illinois, Harvard Milk Days, the first weekend of June to commemorate their contributions to milk production during WWII.

A symbol of the Milk Days Festival, the statue of a cow, Harmilda, "stands 5 feet tall, 8 feet long, and weighs about 125 pounds."

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Harvard has a total area of 8.58 sqmi, all land.

Major streets

 * Airport Road
 * Ayer Street
 * [[Image:Illinois 173.svg|20px]] Diggins Street/Brink Street
 * [[Image:US 14.svg|20px]] Division Street
 * Flat Iron Road
 * Lawrence Road
 * Illinois 23.svg Marengo Street
 * Oak Grove Road
 * Ramer Road

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,996 people, 2,610 households, and 1,853 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,498.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,723 housing units at an average density of 510.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 76.25% White, 0.85% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 18.76% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37.81% of the population.

There were 2,610 households, out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 53.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families; 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.56.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,363, and the median income for a family was $48,087. Males had a median income of $30,578 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,253. About 6.9% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
Active congregations are listed in the table.

Education
Harvard School District No. 50 operates five schools within the city: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford operated one school in Harvard, St. Joseph's School: pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1–8. The school was closed at the end of the 2015–16 school year, due to financial issues.
 * Harvard High School: grades 9-12
 * Harvard Junior High School: grades 6-8
 * Jefferson Elementary School: grades 4 and 5
 * Richard B. Crosby Elementary School: grades K-3
 * Washington School: Pre-K and ECE

Harvard Diggins Library
Harvard Diggins Library began serving the Harvard community in 1909. Delos F. Diggins, who spent his childhood in Harvard, provided a generous bequest to the City of Harvard to build a library. That building, named the Delos F. Diggins Library, became the first free-standing public library in McHenry County. The library served the community successfully from that building until a new library was built in 2001. In deference to the lasting legacy of Delos Diggins, the library was renamed the Harvard Diggins Library. Currently, Harvard Diggins Library is a member of the Northern Illinois Cooperative consortium and the Reaching Across Illinois Library System.

The Harvard Diggins Library building encompasses 19,000 square feet of space. The core of the facility houses the collection, but designated space is available for children, teens, quiet study, and meeting space. Public events are hosted at the library on a regular basis, including lectures, performers, crafts, storytimes, and more. As a municipal library, library cards are free to city residents, and it allows borrowing of materials from most public libraries in Illinois. Non-residents may purchase a card for an annual fee.

Post office
The U.S. Post Office is located on Harvard's North Eastman Street. The current building was constructed during the Kennedy Administration in 1962 when J. Edward Day was the Postmaster General.

Law enforcement
The Harvard Police Department is located in the lower level of the old City Hall building at 201 W. Front Street. It consists of 17 full-time police officers, led by Chief of Police Tyson Bauman, a full-time record clerk and one full-time community services officer (CSO). Dispatch services are provided by the North East Regional Communications Center, also known as NERCOM, of which the department is a founding and partner member and is located in McHenry Illinois. The department has a full-time detective, a school resource officer, bicycles for officers to patrol the city streets, parks and downtown area.

Fire protection
Harvard's Fire Protection District consists of 47 trained firefighters, of which 22 are Emergency medical technicians and 14 are paramedics. The district traces its history to 1865 when five men got together to purchase a fire engine for the village of Harvard. In 1871, the engine was sent to Chicago via the railroad to assist in the Great Chicago Fire. In 1892, it was again placed on a train to assist with a fire in the community of Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 1899, the first constitution and by-laws were drawn up for the Harvard Fire Department. The Harvard Rescue Squad was founded in 1956 with a $7000 donation from the Harvard Jaycees. In 1971, the City and Rural Fire Department merged to form the Harvard Fire Protection District.

Currently, the Harvard Fire Protection District is governed by a five-member board of trustees appointed by the McHenry County Board. While the Fire District works very closely with the city of Harvard, it is a separate government agency. The district provides fire and emergency medical service for 108 sqmi and is funded by ambulance user fees and property taxes. It is part of the Mercy Health EMS System, which operates out of Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, IL, a Level I trauma hospital. The district also has a SCUBA dive team, trained for water rescue. This team is part of the McHenry County MABAS 5 Dive Team.

Transportation
U.S. Route 14, locally known as the Northwest Highway and Division Street, runs north–south through Harvard. Illinois Route 23 begins in southern Harvard and connects the city with other locations to the south. Illinois Route 173 also runs east–west through Harvard, and it connects many other towns along the Wisconsin border to Harvard. The nearest Interstate Highway to Harvard is Interstate 90 in Belvidere; Interstate 39 in Machesney Park is also nearby, as is Interstate 43 in Wisconsin.

Harvard is also served by multiple forms of public transportation. Pace operates Route 808 in Harvard. This route links the city to the communities of Woodstock and Crystal Lake. Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line has a station in Harvard and operates daily service to Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center. The Harvard station is the most remote point in the Metra system at 63.16 mi from downtown Chicago.

Media
Harvard is served by WHIW-LP 101.3 FM, Harvard Community Radio. A low-power FM station, WHIW-LP began broadcasting on the FM frequency on May 18, 2015. Prior to May 2015, the station was heard at AM 1610. WHIW-LP also streams online.

WHIW-LP provides local programming including news, sports, school, music, arts and more. WHIW is an all-volunteer community radio station that depends on the support of it listeners and station underwriters. The station received its 501(c)(3) exempt status in 2013.

Harvard once had a daily newspaper, the Harvard Herald, which was published from 1887 until 1986. In September 2009, a new monthly publication, the Harvard Main Line, was launched. The city is also served by the Northwest Herald, which covers all of McHenry County.

Notable people

 * Edward E. Ayer (1841–1927) helped found the Field Museum of Natural History and the Newberry Library in Chicago
 * Elbridge Ayer Burbank (1858–1949), portrait painter of Native Americans, especially known for Geronimo
 * Bobby Cook (1923–2004), pro basketball player
 * Clarence Darrow (1857–1938), of Scopes Trial fame, had a law office in downtown Harvard
 * Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford, mother of President Gerald Ford
 * Paul Galvin (1895–1959), founder of Motorola Corporation
 * Lon Haldeman, cyclist, Race Across America winner
 * Red Lanning, pitcher and outfielder for the Philadelphia Athletics
 * Carol Richards (1922–2007), singer and radio-TV personality
 * Jonathan J. Smith, Wisconsin state legislator

 * John Hughes (1950–2009) - Writer/Director: Known for his work in several films including National Lampoon's Vacation, Home Alone, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club

title: Harvard, Illinois


text:
Hebron, Illinois

Hebron is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It is a commuter village within the Chicago metropolitan area. Per the 2020 census, the population was 1,368. It is also the headquarters of Vaughan Manufacturing, one of the largest manufacturers of striking tools in the world.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Hebron has a total area of 1.95 sqmi, all land.

Major streets

 * [[Image:Illinois 47.svg|20px]] Main Street
 * [[Image:Illinois 173.svg|20px]] Maple Avenue
 * Price Road
 * Bigelow Avenue

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,038 people, 390 households, and 271 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,515.9 PD/sqmi. There were 411 housing units at an average density of 600.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.78% White, 0.39% African American, 0.10% Asian, 1.16% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.30% of the population.

There were 390 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,607, and the median income for a family was $53,661. Males had a median income of $41,036 versus $25,272 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,829. About 3.3% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Fire Protection and EMS
The village and surrounding area are protected by the Hebron Alden Greenwood Fire Protection District. The district comprises 20 members that protect 56 sqmi. The district operates out of one fire station located in Hebron. The district operates two engines, two ambulances, two brush trucks, and two tenders. They average 450 emergency calls a year. The district is part of the MercyHealth EMS System and provides ALS (Advanced Life Support) service to the district.

The district holds their annual pig roast on the second Saturday in September each year at the fire station at 12302 Rte 173 in Hebron.

Education
Alden-Hebron High School is the smallest school to win the Illinois High School Boys Basketball Championship. In 1952, with an enrollment of 98 students, the boys team won the state title with an overtime victory over Quincy with a final score of 64-59. At the time, all Illinois schools competed for a single championship, regardless of enrollment. The town's water tower is painted to look like a basketball in commemoration of the event.

Notable people

 * Elmer Bigelow, recipient of the Medal of Honor; died saving his ship in World War II; born and raised in Hebron.
 * George Dunne, longtime President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. After his political career, he owned and resided on a farm in Hebron.
 * Howie Judson, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Redlegs (1948–1954); born in Hebron

title: Hebron, Illinois


text:
Holiday Hills, Illinois

Holiday Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 618.

Geography
Holiday Hills is located at 42.29389°N, -88.22694°W (42.293972, -88.226833).

According to the 2010 census, Holiday Hills has a total area of 0.99 sqmi, of which 0.95 sqmi (or 95.96%) is land and 0.04 sqmi (or 4.04%) is water.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 831 people, 280 households, and 225 families residing in the village. The population density was 877.7 PD/sqmi. There were 289 housing units at an average density of 305.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.46% White, 1.20% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.17% of the population.

There were 280 households, out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.3% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $57,857, and the median income for a family was $61,000. Males had a median income of $40,662 versus $30,481 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,883. None of the population or families were below the poverty line.

title: Holiday Hills, Illinois


text:
Johnsburg, Illinois

Johnsburg is a village in McHenry County, Illinois. It is a northwestern suburb of Chicago with a population of 6,355 as of the 2020 U.S. census.

History
The area that came to be known as Johnsburg was first settled in 1841, five years after the founding of McHenry County, by immigrant families escaping religious persecution and oppressive social conditions in the Eifel region of Germany, predominantly the Mayen-Koblenz." (The congregation is known today as St. John the Baptist.) They built their first church in 1842, a simple log cabin that also functioned as a school and meeting hall. The first priest to serve this new congregation was delivered there by friendly Native Americans who found him lost in the woods of Wisconsin. The church served the community until 1850, when a larger frame church was built to replace it. Construction on a third church, built in the Gothic style, began in 1867. This church took thirteen years to complete and was the pride of the Johnsburg community until it was destroyed by a fire on February 19, 1900. Many of the early settlers' grave markers were also destroyed by the fire. The present St. John the Baptist church was dedicated in 1902.

By 1990, a group of citizens living in this unincorporated area of McHenry County had come to fear that their community, known for over 100 years as Johnsburg, would be swallowed or divided by surrounding municipalities. They turned to their neighbors in Sunnyside, an adjacent village with which they shared a library, schools, and other services, for solutions. (Sunnyside had been incorporated in 1956.) Sunnyside and Johnsburg leaders struck an informal agreement that allowed Sunnyside to annex the surrounding area, thereby tripling its size, but required it to rename itself Johnsburg. After Sunnyside completed the annexation in 1992, the Sunnyside Village Board legally renamed its municipality to Johnsburg.

Geography
Johnsburg is located at 42.38583°N, -88.23583°W (42.385796, -88.235942).

According to the 2010 census, Johnsburg has a total area of 7.674 sqmi, of which 7.08 sqmi (or 92.26%) is land and 0.594 sqmi (or 7.74%) is water. Johnsburg lies within the watershed of the Fox river.

Major streets

 * [[Image:Illinois 31.svg|20px]] Richmond Road
 * Ringwood Road
 * McCullom Lake Road
 * Johnsburg Road
 * Spring Grove Road
 * Chapel Hill Road
 * Bay Road
 * Riverside Drive

Public transportation
As of October 2018, a Pace bus route between the nearby municipalities of Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Fox Lake also serves Johnsburg. The closest rail transit is the McHenry commuter rail station, one of the termini of Metra's Union Pacific/Northwest Line.

2020 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,391 people, 1,760 households, and 1,501 families residing in the village. The population density was 973.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,875 housing units at an average density of 338.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.83% White, 0.13% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52% of the population.

There were 1,760 households, out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.9% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $69,864, and the median income for a family was $73,491. Males had a median income of $51,832 versus $30,893 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,582. About 1.1% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Schools
Four schools are part of District 12, which serves students in the Villages of Johnsburg and Ringwood and in the Pistakee Highlands. Johnsburg High School serves grades 9 - 12; known as the "Skyhawks." Johnburg Junior High School, the "Wildcats," serves 6 - 8. Up until 2016, James C. Bush Elementary School served grades 3 and 4 (grade 5 was located at JJHS). Johnsburg Elementary School, the "Bloodhounds", now serves grades 3 - 5. Johnsburg Ringwood Primary Center also known as "The Ringwood Rockets" serves children from PreK - grade 2. The start of the 2008-09 school year brought the steepest enrollment in District 12 schools in five years, when 93 fewer students enrolled.

Cultural references
Tom Waits wrote a song called "Johnsburg, Illinois" in 1982. He included it on his album of the following year Swordfishtrombones. It is a short, poignant love poem to his wife, Kathleen Brennan, who grew up in the village.

The country music duo The Handsome Family (formerly of Chicago) referred to Johnsburg in the title track of their album In the Air, in the lyrics "Last night at the bridge to Johnsburg I swerved down a dead end street" and "Those wild dogs brought back that smell of falling snow and the girl who lives in Johnsburg across a bridge I cannot cross."

Notable people

 * Kathleen Brennan, musician, songwriter, record producer, and artist
 * C. J. Fiedorowicz, retired tight end for the Houston Texans of the NFL. Graduated from Johnsburg High School and played for the University of Iowa
 * Clay Guida ("The Carpenter,"), mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC, lived in Johnsburg
 * Chuck Hiller, second baseman (first National League player to hit a grand slam homer in World Series History - 1962), coach, and manager with the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates
 * John Jakus, head men's basketball coach, Florida Atlantic University
 * Sam Saboura, former host and stylist of ABC's Extreme Makeover and current host of TLC's Something Borrowed, Something New, moved to Johnsburg as a teen and graduated from Johnsburg High School

title: Johnsburg, Illinois


text:
Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Lake in the Hills (often abbreviated L.I.T.H. or LITH) is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,982.

The village is most known for its very high residential growth which occurred most heavily in the 1990s. Once a sleepy lakeside village of cottages and small ranches, its population skyrocketed as developers flocked to the area in the 1990s. Its population increased by 17,000 people (a nearly 400% increase) over this period, making it one of the most rapidly growing suburbs of Chicago and in the United States at that time. At the height of its building boom, the village issued over 1,000 residential building permits in 1995.

In the late 1990s, the village faced the challenge of providing adequate services and infrastructure as well as establishing an identity and community unity, since many community services (libraries, schools, fire districts) were pre-delegated to neighboring communities such as Huntley, Algonquin and Crystal Lake. However, the village continues to expand its resources and community offerings and is also endeavoring to diversify its tax base and provide more commercial and industrial businesses.

Geography
Lake in the Hills is located at 42.18667°N, -88.3475°W (42.186729, -88.347429).

According to the 2010 census, Lake in the Hills has a total area of 10.614 sqmi, of which 10.38 sqmi (or 97.8%) is land and 0.234 sqmi (or 2.2%) is water.

History
Lake in the Hills was started in 1923 by Federal Judge Walter J. La Buy around Woods Creek Lake, which is the main lake in Lake in the Hills. By the year 1926, La Buy bought 472 acre of land which is currently Indian Trail. On this land, he built five stucco homes; only one stands in its original state, which is currently owned by the Village of Lake in the Hills. The other four original stucco homes have been altered in some way, but all still stand in the original spot by Woods Creek Lake.

The early days of Lake in the Hills saw vacationers from the Chicago area, who wanted to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. By 1950, some of the vacationers became year-round residents of Lake in the Hills. On November 29, 1952, the Village of Lake in the Hills was formed.

The village of Lake in the Hills remained a small, close-knit lakeside residential community for much of the 20th Century, relying on nearby towns like Algonquin and Crystal Lake for services. In 1987, the Village's first shopping center was constructed; it was built at the intersection of Algonquin Road and Oakleaf Road±. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Village made a series of large annexations extending west of Randall Road, all the way west to Illinois Route 47. Numerous subdivisions were constructed in this area throughout the 1990s and 2000s (decade) and retail development blossomed along Randall Road during this time period as well. By the mid 2000s (decade), development had slowed down and as the Village became landlocked by other municipalities, it worked to appropriately develop its remaining parcels.

In 2023, the town was in national news when it was the site of vicious, unrelenting attacks against a bakery.

2010 Census
As of the 2010 Census, there were 28,965 people, 9,544 households, and 7,567 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,809.4 PD/sqmi. There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 958.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village (including Hispanics) was 86.72% White, 2% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 5.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.59% of the population.

There were 9,544 households, out of which 47.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 16% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.

For 2015, the median income for a household in the village was $84,300, and the median income for a family was $89,035. Full-time, year-round working males had a median income of $64,725 versus $45,811 for females. The per capita income for the village was $32,957. About 3.9% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Neighborhoods
The heart and soul of Lake in the Hills is considered by many to be the collection of older neighborhoods colloquially dubbed the "Old Section". For many L.I.T.H. natives, the Old Section is considered the "true" Lake in the Hills, as it contains the lake and the hills from which the town derives its name. The Old Section is unique for its eclectic appearance, as opposed to the newer neighborhoods more homogeneous tract style. Within the Old Section there are four main neighborhoods. These four neighborhoods are as follows: the Original section, the Indian section, the Tree section, and the Presidents section. All, besides the Original section, derive their names from the street names of the area. So the Presidents section contains streets named after presidents, the Indian section of Indian tribes, and the Tree section of different species of trees. The Original section is dubbed so because it is where most of the early settlement took place. Aside from the village's older section, the village has developed several neighborhoods, especially due to the rise of subdivisions in the village over the past 15 years.

 * Prairie Point, located along Cunat Court is a neighborhood on the village's eastern side, just west of Pyott Road. It included 3-story condominium buildings and a neighborhood recreational center and pool.
 * Boulder Ridge is a gated community in the central section of town, north of Algonquin Road, south of Miller Road and east of Frank Road. It features homes worth between $400,000 and $1,000,000.  It also includes the village's only 18 hole golf course, and an immaculate country club which is a popular spot for banquets.  On the west side of Frank Road, is the child development "The Lakes of Boulder Ridge", which offers a 9-hole golf course, scenic setting, and expensive duplex homes.
 * Big Sky and Harvest Gate are neighborhoods just west of Randall Road and south of Miller Road, just east of Boulder Ridge. They are some of the village's first subdivisions and were built by the same developer, Town and Country Homes.  Woods Creek divides them. The new Lake in the Hills Village Hall, and Lincoln Prairie Elementary School are all located within these neighborhoods.
 * Spring Lake Farm (north) is a subdivision south of Miller Road, west of Frank Road. It was also among the village's first subdivisions, built c. early 1990s, by Sundance Homes and Americana Homes.  It includes both single-family and multi-family homes.
 * Spring Lake Farm (south) is a single-family home subdivision built by Sundance Homes on Algonquin Road, west of Lakewood and immediately east of Tom's Farm Market in Huntley. It was the village's first subdivision west of Lakewood Road. Homes in this neighborhood are valued generally in the $200K range.
 * Bellchase is a neighborhood built by Sundance Homes on the village's only parcel south of Algonquin Road. This neighborhood features Bellchase Commons, LeRoy Guy Park, and a full range of homes, from 2- and 3-bedroom duplexes and smaller 2-story "freedom" homes to large 4- and 5-bedroom homes.  Duplexes in this neighborhood are valued from the high $100s, single-family homes are priced from the mid $200s to the mid $300s.
 * Sumner Glen and Provence are neighborhoods built by Town and Country Homes. They are located along the western side of Lakewood Road from Algonquin Road to Miller Road.  Normandy Park and Exner Marsh Nature Preserve along Reed Road serve as this area's centerpiece.  Provence features slightly smaller homes, including both ranches and two-stories, valued generally in the $200K range.  Sumner Glen features more expensive homes, some with 5-6 bedrooms, valued generally in the $300K range.
 * Heron Bay is a small neighborhood featuring slightly upscale homes starting in the low $300s. It backs up to the Exner Marsh and features a very large pond with multiple fountains.
 * Meadowbrook is the village's most expansive neighborhood. Located in the northwest part of the village, along Miller, Lakewood, and Haligus Roads, it is anchored by Sunset Park and features several smaller neighborhoods within.  Impressions is a duplex-style home community, Summit Ridge is a small neighborhood of exclusive homes, Sunrise and Drake Park are moderately priced neighborhoods featuring one and two-story homes, and Regatta is a neighborhood featuring smaller one-story and two-story homes.  Concord Hills, however, was the first community and is located just east of Lakewood Road, north of Miller Road.
 * At the southeast corner of Lakewood and Ackman Roads is the Cheswick Place subdivision, built by Orleans Homes. The neighborhood consists of over 100 single family homes, with retail and small office buildings, a small market and a gas station to the northeast. This neighborhood has a small, operating cornfield fronting its main entrance on Ackman Road. This neighborhood is bordered by Ackman Road to the north, Lakewood Road to the west, The Impressions neighborhood and a wetland to the south, and Swanson Road to the east. It has 2 village-owned parks and a small non-village gazebo park with a short paved bike path.
 * Fox Ridge Farm, a planned subdivision of potentially 200-300 homes located on the village's western fringe along Illinois Route 47, is currently under development review. Once constructed, it will likely be the last major subdivision developed in the village, as Lake in the Hills has become landlocked by other municipalities.
 * The old neighborhoods are primarily in the original section of the town. This consists of all homes residing in the original development of the town. This is usually considered, by locals, to include all homes built within an area of close to the actual lake. It is widely recognized that if a home is within a short walking distance of the lake, the police station, or the fire department, that said home is one of the original homes in the town.

Education
The village is served by four school districts. Consolidated School District 158 serves a majority of the village, covering its densely populated western half. School District 300 serves the older sections of town on the eastern side, and Elementary School District 47 and Community High School District 155 serve the a small portion of the central sections of the village.

Elementary schools
Elementary Schools serving Lake in the Hills include:
 * Lake in the Hills Elementary School serves students residing on the eastern side of town
 * Lincoln Prairie Elementary School serves students residing in District 300 boundaries in the central sections of town near Randall Road.
 * Glacier Ridge Elementary School, Canterbury Elementary School, Woods Creek Elementary School and Indian Prairie Elementary School (in Crystal Lake, Illinois) serves students residing in District 47 boundaries in the central sections of town along Miller Road.
 * May Chesak and Hannah Martin Elementary Schools serve students residing in District 158 boundaries on the western side of town, along the Lakewood Road corridor. They are located in the Reed Road Campus.
 * Mackeben and Marion Conley Elementary Schools serve students residing in District 158 boundaries on the southwest side of town (generally the Bellchase neighborhood). They are located on the Square Barn Road Campus in Algonquin, IL

Middle schools
Middle Schools serving Lake in the Hills include:
 * Westfield Community School in Algonquin, IL serves students residing in District 300 boundaries.
 * Richard F. Bernotas Middle School and Leon J. Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake, IL serves students residing in District 47 boundaries.
 * Henry Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills serves students residing in District 158 boundaries north of Algonquin Road and west of Lakewood Road.
 * Bernice Heinemann Middle School in Algonquin, IL serves students residing in District 158 boundaries south of Algonquin Road and east of Lakewood Road.

High schools
High Schools serving Lake in the Hills include:
 * Huntley High School in Huntley, IL serves students residing in District 158 boundaries
 * Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, IL serves students residing in District 300 boundaries
 * Crystal Lake South High School and Crystal Lake Central High School in Crystal Lake, IL serves students residing in District 155 boundaries

All four high schools are in the Fox Valley Conference and are major rivals of each other.

Community colleges
McHenry County College in Crystal Lake and Elgin Community College in Elgin are the community colleges that serve the village.

Libraries
Huntley Area Public Library serves residents in the western sections of the village while Algonquin Area Public Library District serves residents in the eastern sections of the village.

Recreation
Even though Huntley Park District serves the village's western parts, Lake in the Hills maintains its own 34 parks and recreation department within village limits and provides immense programs and diverse types of parks and recreational areas. Significant recreational areas include:

 * Sunset Park, one of the village's largest parks located on Miller Road on the western side of the village. The park features several baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, playground equipment, picnic shelters, tennis courts, a basketball court, a gazebo, a splash pad and a skate park.  This is also the site of one of the village's famous summer activities, the Summer Sunset Fest held over Labor Day weekend.
 * Bark Park, located just west of Sunset, is one of the area's only dog parks and serves registered users in the village as a place for their dogs to run and interact with each other.
 * Leroy Guy Park, located in the Bellchase neighborhood on the village's southwest side on Lakewood Road, features several ballfields, playground equipment, tennis and basketball courts, and a picnic shelter.
 * Exner Marsh is a recreational area operated by the McHenry County Conservation District on the village's western side which has a decent trail system, public washrooms, tallgrass prairies, lakes and swampland, and significant stands of trees. It features one of the state of Illinois' few groups of Blanding's turtles.
 * Boulder Ridge Golf Course and Country Club is a private golf course located in the village's most expensive neighborhood in the central part of town.
 * Richard Taylor Park & Skate Park, located behind the Lake in the Hills police department has soccer fields and a fenced-in skate park.
 * The Lake in the Hills Fen is a 260 acre natural prairie and recreational area on the village's northeast side of town off Pyott Road. It features immense tallgrass prairie and hundreds of species of wildlife, many of them considered to be rare or endangered.
 * Woods Creek Lake is the village's lake located in the eastern part of town. It includes several beaches, boat launches, and adjacent recreational areas.  The village's oldest homes, several of them cottages, are grouped around this lake. There are 5 properties maintained by the village along the lake and that is: Turtle Island Park, Labahn Hain House/Nockels park, Echo Hill Park, Indian Trail Beach, and Butch Hagele Beach.
 * Lynn Dillow Is part of the sub-division Spring Lake Farms and is the home to 2 jungle gyms, a gazebo, basketball court, and a bike obstacle course.
 * Ken Carpenter Park is located at the corner of Randall Rd and Miller Rd. The park was updated in summer of 2018 and features a basketball court, beach volleyball, and trail that leads into the surrounding neighborhood.
 * Ryder Park - Home of 3 baseball fields formally used by the LITHYAA. The playground was updated in summer of 2018.
 * Barbara Key Park is off Pyott Rd behind the Cunat Apartments. There is a playground, beach volleyball court, basketball court, and a trail that leads into the conservation district.

Shopping
The village is located along the northern fringe of the Randall Road corridor, one of the most sought-after retail corridors in the Chicago metropolitan area. As a result, the village has a good portion of its retail in this section. The village's other major retail area is along Algonquin Road. These include shops and restaurants in Bellchase Commons, Randall Plaza, Acorn Plaza and The Centre.

Community activities and traditions

 * Rockin' Rotary Ribfest is a village event showcasing food, live music, and more, held at the village's Sunset Park in early July.
 * Summer Sunset Festival is the village's main festival. Held at Sunset Park on the village's west side, it features live music, food, a carnival, and a fireworks display.  It is usually held on Labor Day weekend.
 * The village has always been a main participant in National Night Out and uses this as an opportunity for positive resident-police interaction, community block parties, and other activities to encourage community and prevent crime
 * Summer Sunset Idol, a spinoff of American Idol, which allows aspiring amateur performers to showcase their talents. There are three rounds, spread out over the summer at the village's main summer events.
 * Community Oriented Police Programs
 * A number of concerts held throughout the year at a small amphitheater near Village Hall.
 * Youth athletic programs such as the Lake In the Hills/Algonquin Falcons youth football and cheerleading program, Golden Eagles Wrestling club, Algonquin/Lake In The Hills youth soccer league, the Lake In The Hills Youth Athletic Association, which runs the recreational baseball and softball leagues as well as the primary travel baseball (Thunder) and travel softball (Hurricanes) programs.

Transportation

 * Pace provides bus service on Route 550 along Randall Road connecting Lake in the Hills to Crystal Lake, Elgin, and other destinations.
 * The village of Lake in the Hills owns and operates Lake in the Hills Airport, a general aviation airport serving the greater McHenry County area. It is located on Pyott Road in the far northern reaches of the village.
 * Randall Road, a major four-lane county highway, is the primary north-south highway in the Village. It is known as the major divider separating the old part (or "East Side" of Lake in the Hills) from the newer part (or "West Side") of the Village.  Randall Road contains the bulk of the village's retail and restaurants and traffic on the corridor averages 50,000 vehicles per day.
 * Algonquin Road is the primary east-west artery in the Village. It is also the dividing line separating Lake in the Hills from nearby Algonquin.  Like Randall Road, this county highway is also four lanes for the entire length of the village.  Both residential areas and retail areas can be found along the road.
 * Lakewood Road is a north-south county-highway on the Village's western side. It is two lanes with left and right turn lanes.  Several of the village's subdivisions can be found along the road, in addition to the Exner Marsh conservation area.
 * Miller Road is an east-west village road. The entire stretch of road is lined with subdivisions.  Sunset Park can also be found on the road, which winds through the Meadowbrook subdivision in the western part of the Village.
 * Pyott Road is a county highway which runs north-south through the eastern part of the Village. Lake in the Hills Airport, the Lake in the Hills Fen, residential areas, and industrial businesses can all be found along the road.
 * Illinois Route 31 is a state highway which runs north-south along the village's eastern limits. Much of the village's parcels along this highway are industrial areas.
 * Other important roads in the village include Crystal Lake Road, Hilltop Road, Oak Street, Frank Road, Reed Road, Albrecht Road, Annandale Drive, Ackman Road, and Haligus Road.

Notable people

 * Joe Becker, musician
 * Josh Caterer, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and frontman for the Smoking Popes

title: Lake in the Hills, Illinois


text:
Lakewood, Illinois

The Village of Lakewood is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It was incorporated as a village on July 10, 1933. Per the 2020 census, the population was 4,283. Although commonly referred to as Lakewood, the town's proper name is preceded by 'The Village of'.

Geography
The Village at Lakewood is located in McHenry County in the state of Illinois. The Village shares its boundaries with the City of Crystal Lake, Village of Lake in the Hills, Village of Huntley, and City of Woodstock.

The Village covers just under 4 sqmi. There are about 650 acre of open space, which equals about 3/4 acre per household. There are 6 lakes, including Crystal Lake which is situated partially in the Village and partially in the City of Crystal Lake, Illinois. The Village is home to two golf courses and several natural areas or wetlands, including the Kishwaukee Fen Nature Preserve. There are also a number of public and private parks and beaches within the Village, as well as walking and bicycle paths and permanent open spaces in the newer subdivisions. Lakewood's recreational areas are West Beach, Crystal Lake, and a number of parks that dot the area.

Small parks, beaches, and boat docks along Crystal Lake's South Shore are private and maintained for use by members of the Country Club Additions Property Owners Association (CCAPOA). This is a homeowners association-like entity for Lakewood houses from approximately Country Club Road (named for Crystal Lake Country Club just to the south) and extending to the south lakeshore. Roads in this lakeside area have decorative posts on the corner of streets intersecting Lake Shore Drive and are called "Gates", such as "Gate 7". The CCAPOA parks take their names from these gates, so a lakeside park would be called "Gate 7 Beach" locally.

Lakewood is located at 42.22389°N, -88.37167°W (42.223864, -88.371662), immediately adjacent to Crystal Lake, Illinois.

According to the 2010 census, Lakewood has a total area of 3.974 sqmi, of which 3.67 sqmi (or 92.35%) is land and 0.304 sqmi (or 7.65%) is water.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2003, there were 3,050 people, 815 households, and 705 families residing in the village. The population density was 756.0 PD/sqmi. There were 871 housing units at an average density of 281.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.11% White, 0.77% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.54% Asian, 0.68% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.

There were 815 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.4% were non-families. 11.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $111,172, and the median income for a family was $116,893. Males had a median income of $89,749 versus $40,341 for females. The per capita income for the village was $44,579. About 1.1% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Lakewood is primarily served by Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 and Community High School District 155, specifically South Elementary School for those east of Huntley Road, West Elementary School for those west of Huntley Road, Richard F. Bernotas Middle School and Crystal Lake Central High School. The Turnberry Meadows subdivision is served by Huntley's Consolidated School District 158, specifically Chesak Elementary School, Martin Elementary School, Marlowe Middle School and Huntley High School. Turnberry Country Club is used by Crystal Lake Central golf teams for home games.

title: Lakewood, Illinois


text:
Marengo, Illinois

Marengo is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States on the Kishwaukee River. It lies approximately 60 miles west northwest of Chicago and approximately 30 miles east of Rockford. Per the 2020 census, the population was 7,568.

Geography
Marengo is located at 42.25083°N, -88.605°W.

The north edge of Marengo is bordered by the Kishwaukee River

According to the 2010 census, Marengo has a total area of 5.01 sqmi, all land.

Major streets

 * US 20.svg Grant Highway
 * Illinois 23.svg State Street
 * Illinois 176.svg Telegraph Street

History
Marengo was first named Pleasant Grove after a grove of trees near the town site. The present name commemorates the Battle of Marengo. A post office named Marengo was established in 1844.

In the early morning of June 11, 2017, at around 4:50 A.M., a house in the northwest suburbs exploded. The gas explosion set four houses on fire and damaged 50 more, nearly 20 of which were deemed "unlivable." Despite the extensive damage, no fatalities or serious injuries occurred; only two people were reported to have suffered minor injuries.

Government
Marengo is governed by the mayor, John Koziol, and a city council of eight aldermen.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,355 people, 2,387 households, and 1,694 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,598.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,475 housing units at an average density of 622.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.07% White, 0.30% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.54% of other races, and 1.53% of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.00% of the population.

There were 2,387 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.17.

The population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,214, and the median income for a family was $57,209. Males had a median income of $41,298 versus $26,317 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,225. About 3.9% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * David Boies, lawyer and Chairman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner, and lawyer for Al Gore in Bush v. Gore
 * Jack D. Franks, former Illinois State Representative and McHenry County Board Chairman
 * Carl Lundgren, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs (1902–1909); born in Marengo
 * Edward D. Shurtleff, Illinois state legislator, jurist; served as mayor of Marengo
 * Shane Singh, journalist and former Executive Editor of Playboy magazine
 * Sherman E. Smalley, Wisconsin state assemblyman and jurist; born in Marengo
 * Carrie Adell Strahorn, American pioneer, explorer, and author
 * Egbert Van Alstyne, songwriter

Media
The Marengo-Union Times is the newspaper of record in Marengo, IL. It has a circulation of 6,300 and is mailed to every home and business in the greater Marengo and Union, Illinois area.

title: Marengo, Illinois


text:
McCullom Lake, Illinois

McCullom Lake is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 988.

Geography
McCullom Lake is located at 42.36861°N, -88.29694°W (42.3686295, -88.2968581).

According to the 2010 census, McCullom Lake has a total area of 0.37 sqmi, all land. McHenry occupies the southeast shore. The Lake is well known locally for excellent ice fishing. Shallow weeds in the late summer time at the McCullom Lake beach, (not McHenry's beach) make its beach dangerous (drownings have occurred) and have limited game fishing.

Major streets

 * McCullom Lake Road

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,038 people, 382 households, and 273 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,708.2 PD/sqmi. There were 418 housing units at an average density of 1,493.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.44% White, 0.87% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.24% of the population.

There were 382 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $54,500, and the median income for a family was $59,423. Males had a median income of $40,238 versus $26,100 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,350. About 5.2% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

Class action lawsuit
In April 2006, three former next-door neighbors who contracted brain cancer filed a class action lawsuit against several manufacturers in the neighboring town of Ringwood, claiming that groundwater and air contamination caused their illnesses. There were 33 plaintiffs in the class action case.

The lawsuit was dismissed in 2010, but reinstated in 2014 by an appeals court. The case was settled out of court in late 2014.

title: McCullom Lake, Illinois


text:
McHenry, Illinois

McHenry is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It is located about 35 miles northwest of Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 27,135. McHenry was at one time the county seat of McHenry County, which once included adjoining Lake County to the east. McHenry took its name from the county, which was named for Major William McHenry, a prominent US Army officer in the Black Hawk War.

It rests at an elevation of 797 feet and the Fox River flows through the eastern portion of the city. It is surrounded by natural lakes and streams, grassy moraine hills, gravel banks and shallow nutrient-rich peat bogs, remnants of receding glaciers from the last ice age. Moraine Hills State Park, Glacial Park Conservation Area, and Volo Bog State Natural Area preserve some of these natural features.

19th century
In the 1830s various settlers arrived in the area and created the foundation for McHenry. Some of the family names can still be seen today: McCullom, McLean, Boone, and Wheeler.

George Gage came to the area in 1835 and purchased a plot of land west of the Fox River. This area eventually came to be known as Gagetown. In 1854, George Gage played an instrumental role in bringing the railroad to the city. Gagetown was eventually renamed to West McHenry.

In 1851, a dam was built on Boone Creek which created Mill Pond. The pond encompassed an area between today's rail road tracks and Route 31 and north of Waukegan Road.

In 1860, the historical Count's House was completed.

On August 4, 1875, the first issue of the city newspaper, the McHenry Plaindealer, was published by Jay Van Slyke.

In 1880, the first bridge in McHenry was built at Pearl Street.

20th century
On March 30, 1908 a train bound for Ringwood crashed near the McHenry train depot. One person was killed.

In 1929, Mill Pond was drained by removing the dam on Boone Creek.

The original single lane Pearl Street bridge was built 1880-1881 over Fox River. The iron truss bridge was dismantled and a section of it was relocated to Terra Cotta Industries in Crystal Lake in Nov. 1976 to be used as a pedestrian bridge. Other sections remain in storage. The original bridge was replaced with a concrete bridge.

In 1985, the McHenry Plaindealer newspaper became part of the Northwest Herald.

Geography
McHenry is located 46 miles northwest of Chicago in northeastern Illinois on the Fox River. According to the 2020 census, McHenry has a total area of 14.50 sqmi McHenry lies within the Fox River Valley, and its downtown area is situated on that river. "The Heart of the Fox River" is the city's motto.

The 48 acre Lake Defiance is the centerpiece of Moraine Hills State Park on the east end of town. It is a glacial lake surrounded by now wooded kames and moraines.

Climate and weather
Typically climate and weather in McHenry year-round is similar to Chicago's, though sometimes it is warmer in summer, and colder in winter. The all-time record high temperature is 103 F, set on July 4, 1974, while the all-time record low is -30 F, set on January 31, 2019.

Government
The city of McHenry lies within two townships: McHenry Township and Nunda Township. The majority of the city falls within the former.

Mayor
See the full article, List of mayors of McHenry, Illinois.

 * Wayne Jett

City Council
The city council consists of representatives from the 7 city wards:
 * Ward 1 - Victor A. Santi
 * Ward 2 - Andrew Glab
 * Ward 3 - Frank McClatchey
 * Ward 4 - Chris Bassi
 * Ward 5 - Vacant (as of 2024-05-07)
 * Ward 6 - Michael Koch
 * Ward 7 - Sue Miller

City Clerk
Trisha Ramel is the City Clerk and is supported by the Deputy City Clerk, Monte Johnson.

City Administrator

 * Derik Morefield

Police Chief

 * John Birk

2000 Census
The population density was 1,850.2 PD/sqmi. There were 8,127 housing units at an average density of 699.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.18% White, 0.35% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.10% of the population.

There were 7,872 households, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.25.

Age distribution was 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median household income was $55,759, and the median family income was $66,040. Males had a median income of $46,552 versus $29,808 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,272. About 3.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

Culture
McHenry is home to Fiesta Days, a ten-day festival in the middle of the summer that includes music, parades, food, car shows, and more.

Recreation
McHenry is home to Moraine Hills State Park which has many miles of hiking trails and connects to the Stratton Lock and Dam. Fishing from the dam is allowed only with a valid fishing license.

In addition to several dozen city parks, the Prairie Trail — a sub-section of the larger Grand Illinois Trail — runs through the middle of the city.

The live entertainment venue on Green Street was once was an indoor movie theater. The movie theater operated as 'The McHenry Theatre' from 1955-2014. It reopened from January 18, 2018 - January 2022 as the McHenry Downtown Theater with 3 screens, before closing permanently and converting to a live entertainment venue.

A drive-in movie theater east of town is open from March to December playing a combination of new release and classic movies. It opened July 20, 1951 as the Skyline Theater. In 2013 it won Honda’s Project Drive-In contest and was upgraded with a digital projector. It continues to operate today as the Mchenry Outdoor Theater.

Economy
Mchenry has 3 distinct downtown districts with many local shops and restaurants: Green Street, Riverside Drive, and Main Street. The Mchenry Area Chamber of Commerce also owns and operates the McHenry RiverWalk Shoppes, a retail incubator with 10 small shops in Miller Point Park, available for local businesses to rent seasonally.

Connecting the Green Street and Riverside Drive downtown districts is the 0.73 mile (1.17 km) McHenry Riverwalk. which runs along Boone Creek and the Fox River. It is home to residences, shops, restaurants, bars, a concert venue, Miller Point Park, Weber's Park, and other various forms of entertainment and commerce.

Major industrial employers including Medela, Follett School Solutions, Fabrik Industries, Brake Parts Inc, Jessup Manufacturing Company, and Plaspros Inc. These businesses are located in the city's business parks.

Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital provides 143 beds for emergency and in and out-patient health care services to the city and surrounding areas.

North of Illinois Route 120 on Illinois Route 31 is a big box retail corridor including Meijer, Aldi, Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Kohls, and Dicks Sporting Goods.

Schools and libraries
There are two school districts serving the city of McHenry: McHenry Community High School District 156 and McHenry School District 15. District 156 is composed of two high schools while District 15 is composed of five elementary schools and three middle schools.

McHenry is served by one public library which is part of Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) consortium. The library itself houses physical books, DVDs, magazines, and more as well as providing access to online digital content. The library also offers various training classes on various topics and has several meeting rooms available for use by request.

Colleges
The City of McHenry is also home to the Shah Center, which offers business seminars and trainings from the McHenry County College,.

Airports
The closest public international airports to the city of McHenry are Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin.

The closest privately owned airport to the city is Galt Field in Wonder Lake, with a 3000ft by 50ft runway. The airport is used by small general aviation aircraft.

Public transportation
McRide, a paratransit service provided by Pace Bus, and Metra are available services which offers transportation options between nearby towns in the area.

Bike
The Prairie Trail runs through the middle of McHenry from Crystal Lake and connects to trails near the border of Wisconsin.

Passenger rail

McHenry is currently the terminus of a branch line on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line, with weekday passenger service to Ogilvie Transportation Center (formerly Northwestern Station) in downtown Chicago. The line that now terminates at McHenry once continued to Williams Bay, Wisconsin, but that service was discontinued in stages in the 1960s and 1970s.

Road
Illinois Route 31 and Illinois Route 120 intersect in the city center. They are the main roads in and out of the city.

Notable people

 * Gary Adams (d. 2000), founded TaylorMade Golf in McHenry in 1979
 * Pamela Althoff (b. 1953), member of the Illinois Senate from 2003-2018. She was Mayor of McHenry prior to her appointment to the Illinois Senate.
 * Thomas A. Bolger (1887–1953), member of the Illinois House of Representatives
 * John Brzenk (b. 1964), world champion arm wrestler
 * Rob Doran (b. 1976), original bassist of the rock band Alkaline Trio
 * Jason Faunt (b. 1974), actor, grew up in McHenry
 * Flavel K. Granger (1832–1905), Illinois state legislator, lawyer, and farmer; lived in McHenry
 * Mariann Mayberry (b. 1965), member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, lived in McHenry and graduated from McHenry High School (West Campus)
 * Jace Sayler (b. 1979), football player with the New England Patriots (Super Bowl champion), attended McHenry High School (West Campus)
 * Matt Skiba (b. 1976), Grammy-nominated co-lead singer and guitarist for the rock bands Blink-182 and Alkaline Trio
 * Robert Tonyan (b. 1994), professional American football player for the Chicago Bears
 * Joe Walsh (b. 1961), radio personality and former congressman (Republican) for the 8th district
 * Craig Wilcox (b. 1967), member of the Illinois Senate since 2018. He resides in McHenry.
 * Lana Rhoades (b. 1996), world famous social-media/pornography star. Born and raised in McHenry
 * Jack Perconte (b. 1954), MLB Baseball Player for Dodgers, Indians, Mariners
 * Amie Cunat (b. 1986), artist specializing in painting and installation

Notable horses

 * Two Eyed Jack, born in McHenry; Quarter Horse stallion and showhorse; the leading all time sire of American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) champions

title: McHenry, Illinois


text:
Oakwood Hills, Illinois

Oakwood Hills is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1959. The population was 2,076 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Oakwood Hills is located in southeastern McHenry County at 42.24778°N, -88.24528°W (42.247658, -88.245176). It is southeast of Prairie Grove, east of Crystal Lake, and north of Cary. The Fox River passes 1 mi to the east. Downtown Chicago is 46 mi to the southeast.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Oakwood Hills has a total area of 1.17 sqmi, of which 1.09 sqmi are land and 0.08 sqmi, or 7.17%, are water. Silver Lake is in the western part of the village, draining east to the Fox River. The unincorporated community of Silver Lake borders Oakwood Hills to the south.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,194 people, 719 households, and 598 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,943.9 PD/sqmi. There were 736 housing units at an average density of 652.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.04% White, 0.36% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.37% of the population.

There were 719 households, out of which 47.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.2% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 3.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $68,182, and the median income for a family was $70,875. Males had a median income of $52,051 versus $30,508 for females. The per capita income for the village was $26,397. About 3.9% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Proposed natural gas power plant
During the summer of 2014, the residents of Oakwood Hills and surrounding communities voiced their concerns about the creation of a power plant, by Northland Power and Enventure Partners, on property just north of the village. A group of concerned citizens hired expert Robert G. Abboud to create an impact assessment of the proposed project. The report emphasized risks to groundwater, air quality, and noise issues, among others as to why the project needed to be further studied.

title: Oakwood Hills, Illinois