12/01/2025 This time of year, we generally see a surge in mail due to the holidays. As reported by USPS in 2022, they processed 11.7 billion pieces of mail and packages during the holiday season. Most people enjoy the convenience of mail delivered to their dwelling. This has not always been the case; delivery in … Read more
11/01/2025 Have you heard about the Butter Margarine War that occurred from the late 1880’s until 1950 when the federal government taxed margarine to make it less competitive? And did you know that some of this scandalous margarine churned out from a factory located in Huntley? The factory was owned by the John F. Jelke … Read more
10/01/2025 Temperatures are cooling, increasing occurrences of overcast weather, and foliage changing colors; these are all signs that it just might be October. Another association with October is that it can be a time of remembrance of those who have passed away. As many decades go by, sometimes the only item left for remembrance … Read more
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. … Read more
Huntley celebrated the 100th anniversary of the paving of Woodstock Street on May 6, 2017. Woodstock Street has been in existence for over 170 years. It began as a dirt path for horses and wagons and served as a rudimentary route from Woodstock to Huntley’s square. The square boasted many flourishing businesses and the train depot sat just south of … Read more
The Village of Huntley, founded in 1851, is a rapidly growing community located in southern McHenry County and northern Kane County. Huntley is bisected by Illinois Route 47 north and south, the Union Pacific Railroad northwest and southeast, and bordered on the south by Interstate 90. The Blackhawk Wars of 1834 resulted in terms that … Read more
Huntley Area Public Library Historians Mary Beth Manning and Nancy Bacheller presented “Huntley History: 100 Years Ago” at the library for the monthly program — Local Voices. It was the second time the duo spoke to the community to a packed house. For those that could not make it, and Huntley history buffs, we recorded … Read more
Milk Plants and Milk Processing in Huntley The milk and creamery business in the Huntley area was deemed “An industry upon which much of our present and future prosperity depends” –July 21, 1894 The Huntley News The first cheese factory was established in 1866 by Messrs. Blanchard and Woodworth on the farm of A. W. … Read more
The imposing white building on the south side of Main Street near the town square has been a village landmark since it was built in 1892. The Village of Huntley recently purchased this property, known by local historians as the Sawyer-Kelley Mill. W. G. Sawyer and John T. Kelley actually owned two grain mills … Read more
Huntley Area Maps 1953 – 2001 Huntley Station 1853—This earliest map of Huntley Station was made two years after the first train came through the town, but before there was evidence of much development. Note that the present Church Street was originally named Railroad Street south of Main Street and there was no name given … Read more