100 Years Strong!

Summarizing Fox Lake’s 100 years in 100 words
“In the late 1800s the Fox Lake region was an isolated hunting and fishing paradise, attracting wealthy sportsmen who constructed private clubhouses in the area. The 20th Century brought improved transportation, making the area more accessible to the general public, creating a vacation destination. The clubhouses were transformed into public resorts, while new hotels, cottages and saloons were quickly constructed. In 1907, a new Village was born and the “resort heyday” era commenced, which lasted about 50 years. As the resorts faded, there was a slow transition as Fox Lake was transformed into the recreational residential community it is today.”

Obviously, a 100-word summary cannot do justice to the Village’s unique and often colorful history, but we’ll try to open a few memories with some additional words and pictures.

Early Fox Lake
Most of the area’s early residents were farmers, who also trapped, hunted, and fished. There was an abundance of game, which helped to attract wealthy sportsmen who began developing some of the land, setting the foundation for what was to become a major resort community.

By the late 1800s there were numerous clubhouses dotting the shoreline of Nipperink Point, providing private getaway havens for their members. The roads were almost nonexistent, while water transportation played a key role in bringing visitors to the area. Steamboats were able to navigate the shallow lakes, transporting not only people, but building construction materials and other supplies. A frequent water route was from McHenry (because of its early railroad and plank road access) to Nippersink Point and Rail (Lippincott) Point.

Nippersink Point becomes Fox Lake
The railroads shaped the future of many communities, especially those like Fox Lake with both rail connections and water access. In 1900 the railroad tracks were expanded to Nippersink Point, where tickets were sold from a tool shed since there was still no station. A depot called Nippersink Point was built in 1901. In 1902, an open shelter was constructed beyond Oak Street on Nippersink Lake. It was called Pistakee Station and was intended to provide an easy connection for riders using water transportation to the various waterfront hotels and clubs. Also in 1902 the Nippersink Point station was renamed Fox Lake, while the station on Washington Street was renamed to Ingleside.

The extension of the railroad tracks to Nippersink Point in 1901 changed everything, making the area more accessible to the average worker. The great influx of people upset many of the wealthy sportsmen who began leaving, since they were losing their unique paradise. They sold their clubhouses, many of which were converted into public resorts and hotels. Meanwhile new cottages and resorts were being constructed on the shorelines.

While the railroads lessened the value of the original steamboats, the growth of the tourist business created the demand for more and different types of vessels. Local boat-building companies were opened and began providing vessels suited to every need — paddle-wheelers, excursions, rowboats and even duck hunter specials. Jacob Larson was the first to open a shop in Fox Lake on Holly Avenue in the area later called Hollywood Subdivision.

In the early 1900s the Fox Lake area was referred to as being in “The Heart of Nature,” a phrase that was later modified to being in “The Heart of the Chain O’Lakes,” in deference to being the busiest location on the Chain. The reference to “The Heart of Nature” was closely tied to the Lotus beds, which became a tourist magnet. Large numbers of excursion boats were operated on busy schedules and its popularity spawned sales of postcards, perfume and other knick-knacks.