HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ISLAND LAKE NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2013 Vol. 6 No. 2 LIFE ON THE ISLAND Ever wanted to live on an Island? Don t we all? When Island Lake was developed in 1937 the lake bottom, dam, roads, parks, beaches, boat launch and easements were donated to the Property Owners Association. The developers retained ownership of only one, desirable, piece of property: the Big Island. In fact, the Village had an opportunity to purchase the island, a parcel of land a little less than an acre, for $2500 in 1957; however, the deal fell through, the stumbling block being the rather steep price! The island was acquired by a couple from Evanston, who built a summer home there in the early 1960 s. The Village of Island Lake finally purchased the island for $60,000, including the house, then vacant, in 1979, and plans were started for the development of a park. In the meantime, a caretaker was necessary, as trespassing and vandalism were always a concern. Neal DeYoung, a young, single employee of the Village, was chosen. At the time Neal stated he was surprised at being chosen to be the caretaker and live on the island. He certainly had not volunteered for the job! He had grown up around boats and loved fishing, but over time learned the many disadvantages. At first the house was without water, and he certainly had a lot of fixing up to do.
Although he obviously no longer lives there, Neal is still an employee of the Village of Island Lake. The next occupant of the Island, Maura (Murray) Kirchner, has very kindly prepared the following memoir for the Historical Society: I do not know who owned the house on the island originally, but they seemed to have left abruptly. They left dishes and things. I only know this from looking in windows as a child. When Bill (my husband) and I were getting married in July 1981, he was living in a hotel for men in Crystal Lake and I was living at home. We had no idea where we were going to live and whether we could afford anything. Someone (maybe my mom?) heard that the people who were living on the island at the time (Neil and Laura DeYoung) were moving. I then contacted Al Schmidt who was mayor of Island Lake at the time and asked him about the house. He told me that the Village of Island Lake owned it and wanted someone to live there as a sort of caretaker and to keep vandals out. Then he said we could rent it for $50 per month. That is how we became tenants for the next four years. The house itself was small but very nice. There were two bedrooms, one and a half baths (the half bath was not hooked up), a small kitchen, and a large room that doubled as a family room and dining room. There were lots of windows all around this common room. It also had a large river rock fireplace and a hardwood floor. There was an enclosed porch which served as storage for us. It was very rustic looking. The exterior was a dark brown wood. Moving in was tricky. I remember Bill and me walking across the lake to the island on either side of a jon boat while holding a couch on it. Everything had to be brought in by boat. Fortunately the refrigerator and stove were there already. Moving out was even worse because by then we had two of our daughters, and we had
accumulated many more possessions. There was no washer or dryer so our laundry had to be brought back and forth which we did at Frank and Ann Murray s (my parents) house while we visited. We also left our cars at my parents house. When the lake was water we got back and forth by boat, and when it froze over we used a toboggan to transport children, groceries, trash, laundry, etc. It was an interesting beginning to our life together, and we had many good times there. We used to take a boat to one of the beaches or just cruise around the lake. There was always a feeling of exhilaration and freedom when the ice was strong enough to hold us and we could get back and forth so easily. However, during the times of unsafe ice, we would pile into a boat on the ice and my husband would pull us across with a long pole with a metal hook-like piece that he had welded to one end. It was slow going and very hard work for him, but he loved everything about living there. With our $50 per month rent we were able to save some money for a down payment for our first house. Also we had a daughter who would be attending school soon so it was time for us to think about ending the island adventure. We moved out of the house in May of 1985 (a good month for a water move), and we were the last tenants. We used to look at it and reminisce whenever we visited my parents. Sometimes we took the canoe out to look around. Our oldest daughter remembers living there and talks about it often. I do not remember the year, but when my mom told us that the house had been burned down, I cried. I had stronger feelings for that place than I knew. The little island house gave us a great beginning and many great stories. In the Spring of 1988, when the lake dried up, a path was mowed from the back yard of the Hard house on Midway Drive, and the Wauconda Fire Department drove their truck across the lake for a controlled burn of the house.
ANNUAL PROGRAM - MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013 AT 7:00 P.M. at the Village Hall HEADSTONES AND HISTORY Our Annual Program will feature local historian Laurel Mellien, who holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Crystal Lake Historical Society, who will present a program on cemetery art symbolism. Particularly during the Victorian Era, headstones were carefully chosen by family members to properly represent the deceased. Many clues about the lives of the dearly departed can be discovered by learning the language of cemetery art symbolism. There is no charge for this program, everyone is invited, and refreshments will be served. Be sure to join us, bring a friend or neighbor, and enjoy a guided tour through the head-stones in these open air museums that uncover the hidden symbolism and explain the history of the people laid to rest.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS July 4 th Parade Again this year, the Historical Society of Island Lake participated in the Village of Island Lake Fourth of July parade. Members (from left) Cindy Graff, Dona Willard, Bob Carpenter and Donna Carpenter rode along in the Carpenters vintage Cadillac, handing out candy to the parade watchers. For the first time this year, we also handed out dog biscuits for the many pets brought by their owners to observe the parade. This was a delightful surprise to the pets, and their owners, too, and the beginning of what we hope will be a new Island Lake tradition. Lake Boat Tours The Historical Society of Island Lake will be participating in a program co-sponsored by the Village Lake Management Committee. We will be offering pontoon boat tours of the lake, with a docent provided by the Historical Society who will highlight the properties and dwellings connected with the history of Island Lake. The tours will be offered occasionally during the season on a weekend or evening. For a small donation you will have a tour of our scenic lake and learn some of the history of the community. Watch for further news about this program.
ISLAND LAKE MEMORIES If you have occasion to visit the Village Hall, take time to glance at many of the old-time pictures on display, including a display poster from the Historical Society featuring some historic pictures and then-and-now photos of the development of our town. We LOVE receiving pictures and articles about our history. Please search your attics and family albums and if you have anything that you would like to share with us, give us a call or send an e-mail and we will arrange to pick up your pictures or old newspapers, copy and scan them. We will return the originals to you. PICTURES FROM THE PAST This postcard, recently purchased by one of our members on e-bay, was postmarked June 23, 1948, sent by a couple of really happy vacationers. It states View of Island Lake Near Wauconda. As you may know, many times post cards were identified as being Island Lake when in fact they were some other lake, and sometimes even the Fox River! Can anyone positively identify the scene in this picture? MEETING DATES The Historical Society of Island Lake normally meets on the first Monday of the month. Upcoming meeting date is set for September 23, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at Culver s Restaurant in Island Lake. Be sure to attend our annual program Headstones & History on October 7, 2013, at 7:00, at the Village Hall. Sounds really interesting! Please come and join us; lots of pictures and items from our archives will be on display. SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER Thanks to all our members who renewed their membership for 2013. We actively seek new members to share our enthusiasm for preservation and history. Again this year we are offering our special new member deal. Any membership paid through October 2013 will be good for the remainder of this year and all of next year. Get 15 months for the price of 12 and an extra copy of our newsletter. Come to our program on October 7th, bring a friend, and urge them to become a member, or pass on the attached membership form.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ISLAND LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ISLAND LAKE ANNUAL DUES for 2014 YES, I would like to become a member of the Historical Society of Island Lake!!! Regular Membership.$10.00/year Family Membership (husband, wife & minor children).$15.00/year Senior Membership (65 years or better). $5.00/year NAME: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: TELEPHONE: CELL: E-MAIL: Historical Society of Island Lake, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation CONTACTS Please return to Historical Society of Island Lake 3706 Lakeview Drive, Island Lake, Illinois 60042 Contact Connie Mascillino at 847-526-5049 or @ mccm46@dls.net, or Dona Willard @ 847-526-3408, or @ donawillard@comcast.net, or