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Petersen Farm Celebrates Its History

Petersen Farm Celebrates Its History

McHenry County Farm spans three centuries. Page Colby left Vermont to head west in 1842. He had $130 to buy land, a powerful will to work and was inspired to farm by the rich and tillable soil he found along the way.

McHenry County's Boys (and Girls) of Summer

McHenry County's Boys (and Girls) of Summer

Did you know that local farm boys from McHenry County once squared off against the Chicago Cubs and White Sox? That a hurler from Marengo pitched for the last Cubs team to win a World Series?

Trail of History

Trail of History

A fun and educational living history re-enactment of the Northwest Territory between 1670 and 1850. It’s that time of year again. The arrival of autumn brings the 19th annual Trail of History presented by the McHenry County Conservation District.

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Raue Center For The Arts

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Days Gone By
Christmas in McHenry

Image descriptionThe true spirit of the holiday season remains largely unchanged.

By Jeff Ruetsche

Every town has its own Christmas story…or, rather, countless Christmas stories.

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Life at a One-Room Schoolhouse

Life at a One-Room SchoolhouseOne-room schoolhouses were once scattered across the McHenry County landscape. Few remain today, silent now for decades, yet they evoke memories of simpler times and a certain nostalgia for our county's rural past.

By Jeff Ruetsche

Neither Tardy nor Absent

Nellie Doherty was a star pupil at Holcombville School. She earned a certificate of commendation at the end of the 1910 school year for her outstanding record of being "neither tardy nor absent" for six straight months. In 1919, Nellie returned as Miss Doherty to teach at this same one-room schoolhouse.

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McHenry County's Boys (and Girls) of Summer

McHenry County's Boys (and Girls) of Summer

By Jeff Ruetsche

Did you know that local farm boys from McHenry County once squared off against the Chicago Cubs and White Sox? That a hurler from Marengo pitched for the last Cubs team to win a World Series? Or that a second baseman from Johnsburg became the first National Leaguer ever to hit a grand slam in World Series play?

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Kings of the Hill

Image descriptionKings of the Hill - Algonquin Hill Climbs (1906-1912)

By Jeff Ruetsche

Did you know that McHenry County’s southernmost village was once a national center of attention for auto racing? From 1906 through 1912, the Algonquin Hill Climbs drew 137 drivers, 83 automakers and more than 50,000 spectators to the “Gem of the Fox River Valley.”

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Christmas in Marengo

Christmas in MarengoThe postwar 1940s and ‘50s was a magical time for Christmas in McHenry County.

By Jeff Ruetsche

Three Marengo residents, who experienced that magic together as children, shared with McHenry County Living their cherished memories of the holiday season. From goodie bags full of sweets, to stockings hanging from the fireplace mantle and those all important visits from Santa, Norman Rockwell himself could not have painted a more vivid picture of Yuletide cheer.

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Lakeside Legacy Arts Park

Lakeside Legacy Arts Park - Dole Mansion

Here at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park you can step back to a simpler time to explore the craftsmanship and unexpected brilliance of a Civil War era architectural masterpiece - the historic Dole Mansion. The Dole guarantees to stop you in your tracks with its intricate wood carvings, dazzling parquet floors and stunningly beautiful grand staircase.

Today, the Arts Park is in its infancy. Officially opened on July 4, 2005, it is owned and operated by a the non-profit Lakeside Legacy Foundation, formed for the purpose of preservation, protection, and enhancement of the property. The vision: become a world-class arts education center.

County Historical Society

McHenry County Historical Society

McHenry County Historical Society - With a mission of providing the methods and means of presenting McHenry County history to enrich life. The comprehensive collection includes several preserved buildings, an 1847 log cabin, an 1885 town hall, an 1895 one-room schoolhouse, and a 20th century modern tourist cabin. Visit the museum in Union, Illinois to learn more about area history!

MC Conservation District

McHenry County Conservation District

McHenry County Conservation District - Over 22,000 acres of open space graced with woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and savannas. Trails and other recreational amenities have been added within 27 conservation areas where the public can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, camping, cross-country skiing, and picnicking. Discover your District today!