Welcome!
Perhaps you were born and raised in Crystal Lake. Or perhaps you've recently moved here. Maybe your ancestors helped settle the area. Regardless, we welcome you to The Crystal Lake Historical Society website, and hope you will learn more about our Society and our community's rich history.
Union Soldier Statue Update
We are in our final stretch for fundraising and restoration of the Union Soldier Statue at Union Cemetery, Woodstock Street. Click here to learn more and see pictures of restoration and fundraising progress.
The statue will be returned to its base in 2011.
Summer Sundays Series - 2010
You won't want to miss this year's Summer Sundays Series at the Colonel Palmer House! These FREE family events offer insight into the lives of our ancestors. Each event runs from 1PM to 4PM. Click here to learn more about the Summer Sundays Series. Final Date: August 15, 2010.
NEWSFLASH!! We just added videos of demonstrations from the July 18th Summer Sunday event. Click here to enjoy!
The Case of Lynn Richards' Death
In 1931, Lynn Richards, prominent Crystal Lake citizen and Head Cashier for the defunct United State Bank of Crystal Lake was found dead near his car at the side of the road. Click here to learn more about the case and to register your "vote". Was his death an accident? suicide? murder?
Kudos and Awards
The Illinois State Historical Society recently presented their "Superior Achievement" award to Crystal Lake Historical Society Director Bob Frenz. Click here to learn more.
The Illinois State Historical Society recently presented their "Superior Achievement" award to Crystal Lake Historical Society Director Bob Frenz. Click here to learn more.
Program Videos/Recordings on Website
In early 2010, two programs, "Murder & Mayhem in and Around Crystal Lake" and "1965 Palm Sunday Tornado" were presented to Crystal Lake audiences. Both of these popular programs exceeded attendance expectations.
Taped versions of both of these programs are now included on our website. Click on the Program Videos tab to view/listen to the complete presentations.
Ceramic Buildings Prices Slashed
We're having an inventory reduction sale! Light-up ceramic buildings are now available for $25 each starting in 2010. We still have models available for both Main Beach and Community High School miniature ceramic replicas. As always, these ceramics make great gifts at any time of the year. Price includes local delivery. Visit our Online Store for ordering details.
Vintage Postcard Book of Crystal Lake
Together with Arcadia Publishing, the Crystal Lake Historical Society has produced a Postcard History Book of Crystal Lake. Using 190+ postcards from the Society's collection, Diana Kenney has created a visual history of Crystal Lake. All proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Crystal Lake Historical Society. Books are available at:
Heisler's Bootery, 50 N. Williams St.
Howell's Gifts, 57 N. Williams St.
City of Crystal Lake, 100 W. Woodstock St.
Books can be ordered online through the "Online Store" tab.
Please go here to listen to Diana Kenney, Crystal Lake Historical Society president, discuss some of the efforts the Society is involved with, along with a further description of the Vintage Postcard book. The audio is from a December 6 interview Diana had with Stew Cohen of local radio station STAR 105.5. (Note: the full 10 1/2 minute interview is playable in MP3 file format and is approximately 8 MB in storage size)
Together with Arcadia Publishing, the Crystal Lake Historical Society has produced a Postcard History Book of Crystal Lake. Using 190+ postcards from the Society's collection, Diana Kenney has created a visual history of Crystal Lake. All proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Crystal Lake Historical Society. Books are available at:
Heisler's Bootery, 50 N. Williams St.
Howell's Gifts, 57 N. Williams St.
City of Crystal Lake, 100 W. Woodstock St.
Books can be ordered online through the "Online Store" tab.
Please go here to listen to Diana Kenney, Crystal Lake Historical Society president, discuss some of the efforts the Society is involved with, along with a further description of the Vintage Postcard book. The audio is from a December 6 interview Diana had with Stew Cohen of local radio station STAR 105.5. (Note: the full 10 1/2 minute interview is playable in MP3 file format and is approximately 8 MB in storage size)
Union Soldier Brick Dedication
Click here for an order form.for the Union Soldier Statue Brick Paver program.
Click here for an order form.for the Union Soldier Statue Brick Paver program.
Click here to learn more and see pictures from the 2009 Veterans Day Brick Dedication ceremony at Union Cemetery.
Visit the Society
The Crystal Lake Historical Society invites you to come visit us at the historic Colonel Palmer House, located at the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Terra Cotta Road in Crystal Lake.
Our Research/Archives Room is open to the public. Hours of operation are:
Mondays (11AM - 4PM)
Tuesdays (3PM - 7PM)
Thursdays (11AM - 4PM)
Additional times for tours, visits or research may be arranged by calling (815) 455-1151.