Early History of Algonquin

1834

Samuel Gillilan arrived in November and farmed 245 acres north of Algonquin Cemetery on Route 31. His family immigrated from Virginia and were recognized as the first settlers in McHenry County. The Native Americans that inhabited the Algonquin area were the Potawatomi Indians. The Native Americans made their camp about one mile up the river from the present Fox River Bridge

1835

Second settler was Dr. Andrew Cornish, a physician who conducted a ferry across the Fox River near our present bridge. He also ran a Post Office and store while farming 640 acres. He later built a grist mill located on the map as M and distillery located at Pyott Road and Algonquin. (Indicated on the map as site D.)

1835

Dr. Thomas Plumleigh, the third settler received a land grant from the government and settled in the South Main Street area which is now the Old Town business district. He farmed 383 acres and knew many of the Indian medicines.

1835

During this time John Brink surveyed the area for the government. His map was the first map of the township which shows the prairies and timber areas. The areas called timber were actually a combination of prairies and forest areas called Savanahs.

1836

William Powell came to Algonquin and helped lay out the town lots. He built a tavern and boarding house for travelers from Chicago. His place was located on what is now the Shell Gas Station at Main Street and Algonquin Road. He purchased this 80 acres of land from Andrew Cornish.

1836

Along with first settlers came John Chandler and his family who settled near the bike path just west of South Main Street. The family also purchased 110 acres just east of the river.

1839

Dygert family made their home at Crystal Lake Road and Algonquin Roads. Charles Dygert who was first white baby born in McHenry County was born in 1841 on a farm that had 80 acres. The Dygert Home was demolished for the strip mall that was built on the northeast corner.

1840

Jesse Miller arrived and bought 40 acres north of town. The first school was located in the log cabin of Jesse Miller and taught by Ben Cole.

1841

Ambrose Dodd started his farm along North Main Street. He purchased an 80 acre farm from the government at cost of $1.25 per acre. He also helped start the Congregational Church at his home. Before he died, he paid the last of the debt the congregation owed on the church which was built just after the Civil War.

1845

There is a government record of William Powell selling his saw mill for $25.00 to Alex Dawson. The saw mill was located on the north bank of Crystal Lake outlet and near the west bank of the Fox River. Map of the approximate location.

1849

Alex Dawson also started the construction of a flour (grist) mill on the east side of the Fox River near the dam. The mill was completed by Petrie and a dam was constructed the following year to power the mill. For many years, the mill was the major business in the village.
(Map)

Picture of this mill

(ca. 1870)

1856

James Philp, Esq. built a brick home which once was located at 114 South Main Street and is the oldest brick structure in the village. Mr. Philp chose to settle in the village because the railroad came through Algonquin in 1855.

1858

James Philp, Esq. opens his blacksmith shop. The two buildings were joined together 40 years later to look as if it were one building which is now called the Algonquin Apartments.