Downtown Crystal Lake
This area came into existence as a railroad center. Near this site in the spring of 1855, the Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac Railroad was extended down from Wisconsin to link up with a rail line from Chicago that had terminated at Cary Station the year before. That same year the Fox River Valley Railroad graded a line north from Elgin to terminate at Williams Bay on Lake Geneva.
By the time the village was platted by surveyor John Brink in 1868, it was known as Nunda. The Village of Nunda was incorporated January 24, 1874. Nunda included an area now bounded by Route 176, Crystal Lake Avenue, Main Street and Walkup Avenue. The land was originally owned by Daniel Ellsworth and Simon Gates.
The Village of Crystal Lake, located just south of Nunda, was incorporated January 10, 1874. On June 6, 1908, the name of Nunda was changed to North Crystal Lake by petition of its citizens.
After several attempts, the two villages finally voted to consolidate. On April 28, 1914, the Village of North Crystal Lake was annexed to the Village of Crystal Lake and on September 23, 1914, the City form of government was adopted. By that time,
this page online
Plaque Courtesy of the Ben Raue Family, who were a vital part of this community from 1893 to 1994
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 42° 14.619′ N, 88° 18.976′ W. Marker is in Crystal Lake, Illinois, in McHenry County. Marker is on Main Street north of Woodstock Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Depot Park, Crystal Lake IL 60014, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); El Tovar Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Showcase of Diversity (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Unique Park with a Unique History (approx. 0.6 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Cary Cemetery - 1839 (approx. 4.6 miles away); Algonquin Village Hall and Public Square (approx. 5.4 miles away); Goodrich Homestead (approx. 6˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crystal Lake.
Also see . . .
1. Downtown Crystal Lake IL. (Submitted on May 11, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. History of Crystal Lake IL
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
