09/01/2025
Our local history department at the Huntley Public Library has an amazing repository of multifarious information sources about Huntley’s downtown and its surrounding historical area. Thanks to the many Huntley patrons who have donated historical items and resources, the Huntley History Alliance which includes the Huntley Historical Society, and our very own Nancy Bacheller.
Have you read the book “Huntley” by Nancy Bacheller? It is part of the “Images of America” series by Arcadia Publishing. If you want to know the “who and what” laid the roots of what makes Huntley “The friendly village with country charm” then take a turn through history in this well-researched book. The Huntley Area Public Library is fortunate to have Nancy on staff as part of our local history department.
Nancy and I met recently with Mr. Craig Pfannkuche, an archivist with the C&NW Historical Society, onsite at the Illinois Railway Museum. Why? As you might know, the railroad was central to Huntley’s formation and ability to become “the” shipping center for butter, eggs, milk and other farm and dairy products. The first train came through town on September 5, 1851. This was the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad (G&CU). This line was eventually acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railroad (C&NW). The consolidation of the lines means that the C&NW Historical Society is our excellent go-to source for more information. We were so grateful for the opportunity to meet with Craig and expand our knowledge base. We look forward to sharing with you more about what we learned in future posts on our local history website.
If you have any memorabilia, historical objects, photos, etc. that may embody or reflect Huntley history please let us know. We would love to have the opportunity to talk with you and learn more. In addition: we are currently looking for donations of the Huntley High School yearbook for the years: 1955, 1968, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987,1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2001. Thank you in advance for spreading the word and/or for considering donation to our collection!
Please come visit the local history area of the library and learn more about all the various aspects and people of Huntley’s history. We would love to see and hear from you.