Local History

In 1971 the village of Lake Zurich, Illinois celebrated it's 75th anniversary.

Recounts tales of Lake County's beginnings: how Captain Daniel Wright became the area's first white settler; how Lake County would have been drawn off the map of Illinois had it not been for the action of legislator Nathaniel Pope; and how Waukegan, then called Little Fort, managed to become the county seat through Nelson Landon's political maneuvering. Mullery's account vividly recalls the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition, when gangster "Bugs" Moran and his friends hung out at a local resort. Lake County's experience of World War II, the postwar flurry of town incorporations, the establishment of present-day attractions like Great America amusement park in Gurnee, and the region's steady modern development round out the story. In addition, colorful anecdotes about famous Lake Countians, including architect David Adler, comedian Jack Benny, science-fiction author Ray Bradbury, and statesman Adlai Stevenson, make the text a chronicle of human, as well as historical, interest.

Filled with black and white photographs of places and people of Lake County, Illinois.

Lake Zurich, a northwest suburb of Chicago, includes a beloved body of water that shares its name and has served as its heart. But the lake did not always bear the same moniker. First known as Cedar Lake because of its many surrounding cedar trees, Lake Zurich was renamed by early settler Seth Paine, who thought its beauty resembled the well-known lake in Switzerland. Early on, visitors from Chicago and beyond journeyed by horse and buggy to relax by Lake Zurich's banks, fish and boat on its sparkling waters, and vacation in summer cottages that dotted its shores. But it has been the people of Lake Zurich who have kept its heart pumping. The celebration of their achievements is apparent throughout town. Parks are named after businessmen and local leaders like Fred Blau and Henry "Hank" Paulus. Schools' names highlight educators like May Whitney and Spencer Loomis. Lake Zurich's legacy will continue through its lake and the people who have loved it.

Joseph Whitney married Mary Delano in 1860 at Barrington, Illinois, and they lived on his farm at Lake Zurich, Illinois. He was a soldier in the Civil War between 1862 and 1865.

This book is a joint project of 23 non-profit historical organizations who work on a daily basis to preserve, protect, interpret and share the exciting local heritage of Lake and McHenry Counties. Each organization chose artifacts and photos from their collection which they felt helped to tell stories of their community. Together, these stories provide a window into the past, showcasing over 200 years of history.

"Over By The Lake" is a collection of 21 true stories about people who lived and\or worked in Lake Zurich, Illinois during the middle of the 20th century. The stories and their lead characters are a cross section of Lake Zurich's citizens. They were not necessarily the most important people in town but they represent the positive attributes of the community.

Early Chicago merchant, Seth Paine, was archived in Chicago history as a quirky troublemaker and founder of Lake Zurich because of his radical (though progressive) ideals. Having arrived in Chicago in 1834 from Vermont, he became an active participant in the Abolitionist movement and Underground Railroad. He was involved in the Spiritualist movement and banking wars in Chicago in the early 1850's and even spent time in the Cook County jail (nicknamed Bridewell) for his involvement. He formed a close friendship with Allan PInkerton and after helping him clean up the slave prisons in Washington D.C. and secure the District's emancipation, he went on to assist Pinkerton and General George Brinton McClellan by writing field reports from the front lines of the Civil War during the Maryland Campaign up until the battle of Antietam in 1862. Seth ended his career and life by building a women's home in Chicago. HIs unique home,which lasted for over two decades, was not just a boarding house, but a home where women had access to vocational resources, food and camaraderie to help them in their careers. In 1870 there were 140 women living there who hailed from as far away as Egypt and as close as Wisconsin. The home was located two blocks north of where Jane Adamms eventually established her settlement house in 1889. After many years of research which took me to Vermont, the archives at the LIbrary of Congress, the Chicago Historical Society, family diaries I acquired from descendants and genealogy study, I feel that his story is worth telling. Seth Paine was a humble hero, who spent his entire life working to help humanity and his imprint is still felt today.