Yuletide Memories A charming poem written by a Huntley resident some 80 years ago gives a glimpse of Christmas past in our community. Marion Lawson Voss (1896-1976) wrote the poem “Yuletide Memories” in the 1940s. Voss grew up in Huntley and recalled the thrill of Otto Schmalz’s General Store at Christmastime when she was a … Read more
Electric Trolley Line Had a Convenient Stop in Huntley from 1905-1930 Some called it the streetcar. Some called it the trolley. Others referred to it as the third rail. It was known as the E&B or even “Arnold’s Folly” after its owner. It was officially the Elgin & Belvidere Electric Company and it ran an … Read more
The beautiful gazebo in the Huntley Town Square park will mark its 30th anniversary on August 26. The current structure is the third gazebo to stand in the park. The first gazebo, or bandstand, as it was then known, was built sometime in the late 1850s. A lively community brass band performed at the site … Read more
Are you enjoying Deicke Park this summer? If so, you can thank Edwin Deicke, a philanthropist who donated the 28-acre wooded parcel to the Huntley Park District and the people of Huntley. Edwin Deicke (1896-1984) was a successful Wheaton businessman and, at one time, mayor of Lombard, IL. He made his money selling insurance, … Read more
Four students made up the entire Huntley High School graduating class in 1913. Their school was an imposing brick building on Main Street next to the First Congregational Church. The school, built in 1875, housed all grades from first through high school. Today, the site is part of the church parking lot. Those who graduated … Read more
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
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
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
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
Saturday, March 10, 2022 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Brief Program: 10:30 a.m. The Local History Department was 20 years old last November. Celebrate with us in the new Local History area at the library. Share your local history memories and stories.