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.
Upcoming Events
Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 27th
Summer Sunday at Colonel Palmer House -- Chewing the Cud: Cows on the Farm - Sunday, June 2nd
HPC Trolley Tour (featuring Swedenberg) - Sunday, June 9th
Click here for information about ALL upcoming events
Membership Drive
Memberships in the Society expire on December 31st of each calendar year. NOW is the perfect time to join the Society or renew your existing membership. Click here to learn more about member benefits, rates, and payment options. Remember, it is through the support of our members that we can continue to preserve our community's history.
One of the most valuable benefits of membership is the Society newsletter, The Crystal Times, which is published quarterly. An online version of Index to Names found in the newsletter is available on the Local History / Research Resources page. A limited number of back issues to The Crystal Times are available for sale. Please email the Society for specific requests.
What's New on the Website
The Upcoming Events tab has been updated with dates and information about our 2013 programming activities. Check this tab often as additional information is added.
The Local History tab has also been updated with a new feature called "Lost Crystal Lake". Learn more about buildings and structures that are no longer standing. This is an ongoing project, so check this tab often for new additions/updates. Another update to Local History is the addition of the Crystal Lake American Legion page featuring a history of the William Chandler Peterson Post #171. A Post Office History page and Telephone History page have also been added. Vintage Crystal Lake phone books are being uploaded to view. We just added 1931 & 1936 to the collection of phone books online!
Stop by for a Visit
The Crystal Lake Historical Society is located at the Colonel Palmer House, which is at the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Terra Cotta Road in Crystal Lake.
Regular Hours of Operation are:
Tuesdays (3PM - 7PM)
Thursdays (11AM - 4PM)
Fridays (11AM - 4PM)
1st & 3rd Saturday of each month (11AM - 4PM)
If you are planning to do research, it is best to call ahead to make certain someone will be available to assist you.
Mary Ott is the Site Coordinator at Colonel Palmer House. Email her at: palmerhouse@crystallakeparks.org or call 815/455-1151
Ceramic Buildings Prices Slashed
We're having an inventory reduction sale! Light-up ceramic buildings are now available for $25. 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:
Colonel Palmer House, Route 176 & Terra Cotta
Crossroads 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, 2009 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:
Colonel Palmer House, Route 176 & Terra Cotta
Crossroads 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, 2009 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)