Farm Services Memorabilia on Display at the Huntley Area Public Library

Farming was a huge industry in the Huntley area in the past. Providing feed for cattle and seeds and fertilizer for crops were necessary businesses. Enos Conley and Sons was one of the largest providers in the area in the early 1900s. Situated along the railroad tracks south of Main Street, the company later also … Read more

Margaret Donahue: Huntley Native and Chicago Cubs Executive

First Woman Corporate Officer in Major League Baseball Huntley native Margaret Donahue didn’t want the job with the Chicago Cubs. But now, 45 years after her death, her name can still be found among Cubs’ history, on a Chicago park and in books on notable women. Through Margaret’s three nieces and in numerous news articles … Read more

Huntley Businessman Drowns on the Alpena in October of 1880

The fickle, fowl fall weather on Lake Michigan has claimed numerous lives over the years. One Huntley man was just such a victim. Adonijah Blanchard, an active and admired businessman, ran milk and cheese processing plants in the Huntley area as early as 1866. He also bought and sold horses, a necessity in the late 1800s. … Read more

Local History Display – Month of September

Check out the two Local History display cases located in the library’s new Local History Room. Items in these displays were provided to us by the Ruth and Kreutzer families. In the left display case, you’ll find historical items courtesy of the Ruth family. In the right display case, you’ll find toys of yesteryear provided … Read more

Introducing the Huntley History Coloring Book – Our Town

Have some fun learning more Huntley history with the new Our Town coloring book. Find interesting historical facts included on each page. Stop in the library to pick up your free copy of this Huntley treasure. The book was a collaborative effort between the Huntley Area Public Library Local History Department, The Huntley Historical Society … Read more

Scavenger Hunt-ley

Think you know Huntley? Want to get outside and explore the Friendly Village with Country Charm and learn some Huntley History while you are at it? Download and try this Town Square Scavenger-Hunt-ley. This is a joint effort between the Huntley Area Public Library’s Local History Department and The Huntley Historical Society. The answers will … Read more

Take a Self Guided Tour of Huntley Town Square

Use this handy guide to take a tour of the Historical Huntley Town Square. Explore the history on East Main St., Coral St., Church St. and Woodstock St. including the Veterans War Memorial, the Old Village Fire Bell and much more!   Download the Town Square Guide as a .PDF

Huntley’s Connection to the Iroquois Theater Fire

Huntley’s Connection to the Iroquois Theater Fire  In a small, unremarkable grave in St. Mary Cemetery in Huntley, a tragic story is buried. It is the tale of 18-year-old Mary Donahue, the granddaughter of early Huntley settler Daniel Donahue and Huntley resident Bridget Heelan. Over the Christmas holidays in 1903 Mary and a girlfriend arranged … Read more