The Everett Hunter Manufacturing Company was a staple in McHenry for many years. Everett Hunter's boat making business started in 1889 when he immigrated to the US from England. In 1919, business was booming and it was decided that they would expand into producing phonographs as well. What put phonographs on the map was that… Continue reading The Everett Phonograph & Music Store
During the early 1900s, McHenry was a bustling tourist town that attracted many people from the city and other local areas as a vacation spot. By 1911, it was becoming apparent to some citizens in the village of McHenry that the town hall no longer met the needs of its people. If the town was… Continue reading McHenry’s 2nd City Hall
In July 1938, the McHenry area had some of the worst floods in its history. A huge storm on June 30th brought torrential rains The storm saturated the area and caused area rivers and lakes to swell. Damage and destruction to local fields, crops and buildings were due to the rivers flooding their banks. However, probably the… Continue reading The Flood of 1938
Baseball was a small town's game and many towns featured semi-professional clubs during the 1900's. McHenry was no exception. The baseball team the McHenry Blues started in 1905 and played through 1909. The town was also home to the McHenry Shamrocks who played from the early 1930s until the mid-1960s. Semi-Pro baseball was similar to today's… Continue reading The 1907 McHenry Blues
Here was September's This Week In History that was published weekly on the McHenry Public Library's homepage. September 4, 1930 - Headline: HS Enrollment Breaks Records The McHenry High School saw a drastic rise in its population securing 63 new students in its freshman class alone and total attendance up to 200 students. Credit was given to Superintendent C. H. Duker in promoting the importance of… Continue reading September’s This Week In History
During the early part of the 20th century, McHenry was a booming tourist destination. People from Chicago and the surrounding areas would flock to McHenry to enjoy Pistakee Lake and Bay, the Fox River and other relaxing attractions. Realizing the economic opportunity, McHenry welcomed the tourists having already established resorts and hotels in the… Continue reading The McHenry Coliseum?
The Clock Is From The Gazebo at Veterans Memorial Park!
This picture was taken of a part local landmark in McHenry. Which Landmark Is It Part Of? Check Back In A Week To Find Out!
On March 30, 1908 one of the worst train wrecks took place here in McHenry. Around 8:30 am a train loaded with 24 head of cattle and six calves were headed to Ringwood from Crystal Lake. Just south of the McHenry train depot there was a slight curve. The train hit the curve too quickly… Continue reading The McHenry Train Crash of 1908
The first “formal” bridge in McHenry that spanned the Fox River was located at Pearl Street, just east of Riverside Drive (known as Water Street in the 1880s). Bridges or ferries had been at this location before McHenry was even settled in the 1830s. In the fall of 1880, it became clear to the residents… Continue reading The Building of the Iron Pearl Street Bridge
