Local History
During the summer of 1942, a new summer camp opened up on the west end of Crystal Lake in the Crystal Vista subdivision. The Sokol Havlicek-Tyrs summer camp for boys and girls was first known as, “Camp Lidice”.
According to the website, sokolspirit.org, “Sokol is an organization that was funded by Dr. Miroslav Tyrs on the credo: “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”. The original organization was formed in 1862 in the Czech lands (now Czech Republic and Slovak Republic). “Sokol” is the Czech word for falcon—a symbol of strength, beauty, harmony and freedom.” Sokol utilizes gymnastics training to develop sound mind in sound bodies.
The Crystal Lake camp was opened under the direction of Marie Kacer. The large block of land on which the camp operated was bordered by Thornwood, Holly, Mulberry and Clover streets and was donated to the Sokol organization by Adolph and Marie Kacer.
The camp was known as “Camp Lidice” from 1942 to the end of WWII. The name Lidice was chosen in memory of the Czechoslovak town wiped out by Hitler in June 1942. Every man in Lidice was killed by the Nazis, the women were sent to concentration camps, and the children to “educational” camps. The buildings of Lidice were then destroyed.
By 1947, the camp was no longer referred to as “Camp Lidice” but was generally known as the Sokol Summer Home/Camp. People of all ages would come from Chicago and nearby suburbs to the fresh air and sunshine of Crystal Lake. The camp focused on exercise and gymnastics. From time to time, the camp would host “Physical Education Shows” for the community, displaying amazing gymnastic exhibitions.
As the camp grew in popularity with campers, the need for additional buildings on the site started to alarm local residents. In 1947, the camp was denied a building permit for new dormitories. The camp filed a lawsuit in court claiming it was an educational facility. Local residents objected to that claim saying on Sundays busloads full of Chicago people are being brought to the camp and are leaving behind empty beer cases and overflowing toilets. The two sides eventually made compromises and peace among neighbors was restored.
The Sokol Summer Home/Camp closed in 1970.
Former camper, Joe Smolik shared these photos taken of the remaining camp buildings in 1971.
The buildings have now been replaced with a block full of privately owned houses.
Joe Smolik also shared his “Personal Reflections on the Sokol Summer Home”. Click on the link Sokol Summer Home Camp – by Joe Smolik to read this amazing memoir.
The Crystal Lake Herald published several articles and bits of information on the Sokol Summer Camp/Home. CLICK HERE to read these articles.
The following photos of the camp were found on the internet:
Although the camp is gone, we know memories in the minds of campers and local residents are still out there and need to be “captured” and preserved. If you have a memory (or photo) of the Sokol Summer Home/Camp, please contact the Crystal Lake Historical Society at: info@cl-hs.org