Bibliography of Reference Materials for McHenry County History, provided by the McHenry County Historical Society 

This bibliography is designed for teachers interested in incorporating local McHenry County history into classroom teaching and others doing McHenry County research. It is by no means complete but it does include resources generally found in area libraries and the MCCD Research library. The McHenry County Historical Society research library contains most of what is listed plus many more documentary records. In some instances books may be purchased. They will be denoted with an asterisk.

Early plat books and all the county-wide history books listed patrons or contained biographical material that was paid for by the patron. Not finding a family biography in such books only means they didn’t pay to be listed.

The drawback to much of this material, except for those things that may be purchased, is that they are considered reference material. Originally all the history and plat books were available for sale. Most are now out of print. Please contact the McHenry County Historical Society at 815-923-2267 or www.mchsonline.org for other sources of information including a list of the members of the McHenry County Joint Council of Historic Groups.

 

 

I. Standard Printed Reference Material

Maps are the earliest resources. Between the late 1830’s when the surveyor maps were done and 1862 when the first plat map was compiled (showing land ownership), there is a 30 year period where map sources are scarce.

1837 – 1839. Original surveyor maps of each township. The McHenry County Historical Museum Library has photo static copies of each.

Earliest 1862 Plat Map of McHenry County. Published by M.H. Thompson & Brother, Map Publishers & Surveyors. This wall-size map shows land ownership and has county and cities platted as well as 27 structures depicted on border. Indexed.

New Combination Atlas of McHenry Co., 1872. Everts, Baskin & Stewart. Earliest published atlas of McHenry Co. Reprinted in 1985 by McHenry County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 184, Crystal Lake, IL 60039. Contains line drawings of various farmsteads and other buildings. Town and city maps included along with detailed township maps. Indexed but out of print.

1876 – Atlas of the State of Illinois. Union Atlas Co., Chicago. Besides the county map, also includes 1870 manufacturing statistics, population counts, a brief county history, business directory.

1877 – Directory of McHenry County, IL. Includes a brief history of each of the townships, a general history of the county, township directories and business directories for various communities. People were listed because of a paid subscription. Indexed.

1885 History of McHenry County. Chicago, Inter-State Publishing Co. First full history of the county with a biography of residents. Reprinted by The Woodstock Public Library. Indexed and out of print.

1892 – Plat Book of McHenry County. George A. Ogle & Co., Chicago. Also includes an Historical Directory of residents – listing business, township or village, post office, year of birth, nativity, when came to county. Village maps often identify businesses, good for the location of creameries.

1903 – Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. Edited by Newton Bateman and Paul Selby. 2 volumes. The second volume contains 332 genealogy and biography records of McHenry County patrons as well as many portraits. Out of print.

1908 – Standard Atlas of McHenry County. By George A. Ogle & Co., Chicago. Also includes a patron’s reference directory and illustrations of patrons and buildings. Last of the atlases to identify county housing sites.

1915 – Rand McNally & Co.’s New Census Atlas of the World. Includes a landowners directory of northeast Illinois.

1917 – Prairie Farmer’s Reliable Directory of Farmers and Breeders, McHenry and Boone Counties. Includes arrival date into county, townships and sections of farm and family history in some cases. Out of Print.

1922 – History of McHenry County, 2 volumes. Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Volume 1 has local history and Volume 2 consists of 161 biographies and portraits. Out of print.

1968 – McHenry Co., Illinois 1832-1968. Lowell Albert Nye, Ed. McHenry Co. Board of Supervisors, publishers. There is a separate index to this publication. Out of print.

McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society four volume set of McHenry County cemeteries indexes. Vol. 1: Northwest Townships, 1990; Vol. 2: Southwest Townships, 1995; Vol. 3: Northeast Townships, 1997; Vol. 4: Southeast Townships, 2000.

1995 - McHenry County in the Twentieth Century. McHenry County Historical Society and Heart Publications, Inc. Every name index plus several hundred family histories. 1,256 pages.

Images of America – McHenry County, Illinois. By Maryan and Dan Pelland. Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, North Carolina, 2002. This 128 page booklet contains mostly pictures with captions and provides a nice overview of 19th and 20th Century McHenry County. It is available through book stores.

Q. McHenry County: A Pictorial History, Vol. 1 published by the Northwest Herald, 2003, 128 pages. Excellent quality, all photo trip through county history.

A Collection of Memories by Don Peasley. 2005. Photos taken by author of area, especially Woodstock, between 1974 and 2005. Soft cover with pictures and captions. For purchase contact Don Peasley at 815-338-1533. Cost: $10.00 plus $3.00 for postage and shipping.

McHenry County, Illinois Marriages: Vol. IV: 1894-1899 published by the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society. For purchase details see www.mcigs.org.

Microfilm census records for McHenry County: 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1920, 1930. Microfilm Agricultural Census for McHenry County: 1850 and 1865.

Family Maps of McHenry County, Illinois by Gregory A. Boyd, J.D.  Arphax Publishing Company. Purchase at www.arphax.com.

 

II. Local Histories

Local Histories have been written on the following communities and may be available in various public libraries. All are available in the McHenry County Historical Society research library.

Alden: Undated six page typed copy. Author unknown.

Algonquin:

1. Algonquin. Algonquin Illustrated, 1894. Early promotional booklet on the advantages of Algonquin at that time. 36 pages.

2. Pamphlet, "Algonquin the Beautiful." A centennial history written in 1935. 40 pages. No ads.

3. Booklet, "Once Upon a Town – Algonquin. Ill.: The First 100 Years" written by the Algonquin Historic Commission. Includes pictures and text. 40 pages.

Bull Valley:

4. Copies of the "Bull’s Eye" newsletter sent to property owners. Contains local history. 1979 – 1980 monthly issues at McHenry County Historical Society Museum.

5. Soft cover book, Ostend – An Early History of the Ostend and Bull Valley Area by Loren Thompson.

Cary:

6. Pamphlet, "Cary’s Diamond Jubilee, 1893-1968. Contains mostly captioned photos.

7. Soft cover book, The Heritage of Cary, 1893 – 1976, 158 pages.

8. Hard cover book, Cary Me Back, 1893 – 1993, 272 pages.

9. *Hardcover book, The Loss of an Era by Shirley J. Beene and Elizabeth H. Freeman, 2002. this 197 page book documents Cary area barns and farmers.

Crystal Lake:

10. Pamphlet, a 16 page promotional publication titled, "Crystal lake, Ill. A Good Place to Live," 1927. Contains photos and information from 1927.

11. Pamphlet, 19 pages. "History of Crystal lake, Ill." Compiled by Louise S. Watson and printed in 1957 and reprinted in 1961. The information was taken mostly from the 1936 Centennial Edition of the Crystal Lake Herald. Few pictures.

12. Booklet, Sesquicentennial. "Crystal Lake, Il. – A Pictorial History, 1836 – 1986." 100 pages.

Fox River Grove:

13. 1951 Hardcover book, A History of Fox River Grove, 1834 – 1950. Written by Anne Roop. 182 pages of text and photos. Published by the Community Methodist Church. Separate index.

14. Booklet, "Grove Golden Days, 50th Anniversary Issue." An update of previous book from 1951—1969. 28 pages. Updated by Anne Roop McIlrath.

 

 

Greenwood:

15. Booklet, "Memories of Pioneer Days in Greenwood" published by the Greenwood Methodist Church in 1940. 45 pages with text and photos. Separate index.

16. *Hardcover book, The Greenwood Book by Libbie Aavang and Norine Mathey. 514 pages, indexed. Many pictures and well documented from pre-pioneer times though WWII and beyond with a few subjects. Purchase from McHenry County Historical Society.

Harvard:

17. Early promotional booklet titled "Harvard, 1912." 54 pages with pictures from 1912 and information on business, school, religions and housing.

18. Hardcover book, Harvard Area, 1829 – 1976 published by the Harvard Bicentennial Commission. 221 pages.

19. Soft cover book Harvard 150 Years: 1856-2006. Published May 2006. For purchase information contact the Harvard City Hall or Chamber of Commerce. $7.00.

Hebron: Booklet, "Hebron, 1836 – 1936," a centennial booklet of 95 pages. Separate index. Some pictures.

Huntley:

20. Hardcover book, Huntley Centennial, 1851-1951, 146 pages. Includes ads from 1951, biographies and photos.

21. *Hardcover book, At Home in Huntley published in 2001, 156 pages. Consists of pictures, an introductory summary of Huntley history and biographical interviews.

Lakemoor: Typed booklet, "History of Village of Lakemoor, 1836—1976." 49 pages, no pictures. This was a bicentennial project authored by Pacita (Pat) Morrison. Lakemoor is the only village in McHenry County to have incorporated, then dissolved only to reincorporate again.

Lakewood: Booklet, "Homes and History of the Village of Lakewood, 1933—1998" produced on the 65th anniversary of the village. Contains a good summary of the history of this mostly residential community with pictures and histories of many of the early homes.

Marengo:

22. Soft cover booklet, "Ruminations, Reflections, Expectations, 1835 – 1985." This 120 page Sesquicentennial booklet contains biographical interviews and pictures.

23. * In 1994 and 1995 two soft cover volumes were produced documenting all the houses on major Marengo streets. The booklets were called "History of Marengo Homes." Vol. I covered Washington and Prairie Streets. Vol. II covered East and West Grant Highway and parts of other streets. A thorough tracing of house and ownership history with pictures.

24. *"Images of America: Marengo, The First 100 Years" by the Marengo Society for Historic Preservation. 2007. Arcadia Publishing. Many photos.

McHenry:

25. Soft cover booklet titled "McHenry, A History of its Pioneers and Settlement." Published in 1936 as a centennial project. 20 pages. No pictures.

26. Soft cover Sesquicentennial booklet titled "McHenry – A Proud Past and a Progressive Future, 1836—1986." 70 pages. Includes photos, interviews and chronological events.

27. *"Images of America: McHenry and McCullom Lake" by Sandra Landen Machaj. 2007. Arcadia Publishing. Many captioned photos.

Ostend: *Soft cover book titled Ostend, An Early History of the Ostend and Bull Valley Area. 143 pages. Remembered, researched and compiled by Loren Thompson between 1960 and 1986. Includes a copy of the 1862 plat map showing where Ostend and Bull Valley were located plus Plat maps of Greenwood and McHenry Townships, 1892. Purchase from McHenry County Historical Society.

Ringwood: A typed pamphlet, "Days Gone By." 11 pages, no pictures, no author listed.

Ridgefield: A 6 page handwritten history of early Ridgefield and the first school written in 1913—1914 by Sarah E. Lanphear.

Richmond: A handwritten early history of Richmond that was a third grade school project of Helen Parsons in 1917. It contains a surprising number of historical details. 40 pages.

Spring Grove: *Book, Village of Spring Grove: Centennial History, 1902—2002. 138 pages, many pictures, thoroughly researched.

Union: Paper covered mimeographed 13 page booklet, "History of Union" written by 8th grade Union students in 1942.

Wonder Lake: Collection of Wonder Lake "Party Line" Weekly publication (incomplete) Oct. 24, 1963 – May 14, 1964.

Woodstock:

28. Hardcover illustrated promotional booklet, "Early History, Social and Educational, Industrial and Business and Professional Interests," 62 pages, 55 illustrations and early business ads from 1895.

29. Soft cover booklet, "The Historic Woodstock Square. Sesquicentennial—An Illustrated History of the Woodstock Square." 2004, 34 pages. Includes old photos and information on some surrounding businesses and events.

30. Soft cover booklet, "A History of Woodstock, 1852—2002." Sesquicentennial booklet, 56 pages edited by Jane Dahm and Joan Mansfield, published by the City of Woodstock. A Chronological format was used and information is listed by year. Pictures are included.

31. Soft cover book, "Woodstock," a pictorial history by Nancy Baker. Published 2006. Available in bookstore in Woodstock.

32. Soft cover pamphlet produced by the Woodstock Historic Preservation Commission in 2005. "Walking Tour of the Historic Woodstock Square" with detailed building histories, map and photos. Free. Contact City Hall.

 

McHenry County Conservation District: the following resources are on

Microfilm and located at MCCD’s Glacial Park at 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood. Phone: 815-678-7644. This research library is open to the public seven days a week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

1850 thru 1880 State of IL Agricultural Census Springfield Census
1855 thru 1880 State of IL Census Springfield Census
1840 thru 1910 Federal Census Springfield McHenry Co.
1870 thru 1870 State of IL Industry Census Springfield Industry Census
1850 thru 1880 State of IL Agricultural Manufacturers Springfield Manufacturers
1906 thru 1909 Crystal Lake Herald Crystal Lake Newspaper
1886 thru 1909 Harvard Herald Harvard Newspaper
1867 thru 1889 Harvard Independent Harvard Newspaper
1872 thru 1909 Marengo Republican Marengo Newspaper
1875 thru 1910 McHenry Plaindealer McHenry Newspaper
1875 thru 1903 Nunda Herald Crystal Lake Newspaper
1856 thru 1908 Woodstock Sentinel Woodstock Newspaper
1837 thru 1837 Surveyors Notes Springfield Surveyors notes

 

 

III. Historical Editions of Local Newspapers

The following newspapers put out historical editions. The McHenry County Historical Museum Research library has them bound. Various libraries may also have microfilm copies of their community newspaper.

A. Marengo Republican News Sept. 12. 1935 Centennial Edition
B. Crystal Lake Herald Aug. 6, 1936 Centennial Edition
C. Woodstock Daily Sentinel March 30, 1937 80th Anniversary Ed.
D. Woodstock Daily Sentinel June 18, 1952 Centennial Edition
E. Woodstock Daily Sentinel July 17, 1956 Centennial Edition
F. Harvard Herald May 31, 1956 Centennial Edition
G. Woodstock Daily Sentinel July 28, 1964 All-American City
H Richmond Nu Vue News Aug. 31, 1972 Centennial Edition
I. Crystal Lake Herald July 1, 1974 Centennial Edition
J. Woodstock Daily Sentinel May 12, 1975 "Theme of Progress"
K. Crystal Lake Herald Oct. 1, 1975 100th Anniversary
L. McHenry Plaindealer Aug. 6, 1975 Centennial Edition
M. Woodstock Daily Sentinel April 16, 1979  
N. Northwest Herald July 14, 1986 (1836-1986) City of McHenry Sesquicentennial
O. Crystal Lake Herald Sept. 9, 1986 Sesquicentennial
P. Northwest Herald, Heritage Sept. 10, 1987 McHenry County’s First 150 years.

McHenry County Historical Society

6422 Main Street, P.O. Box 434, Union, IL 60180

815-923-2267 or info@mchsonline.org www.mchsonline.org

       
       
       
       
       

For McHenry County Historical Society  Research Library user fees, click:

User Fees

 

For any further information or questions, please call (815) 923-2267.