Chamber History

The Chamber’s “Place” in Crystal Lake History

Early residents of Crystal Lake saw a need to establish a plan for streets and public spaces. With this in mind, Christopher Walkup, Abner Beardsley, and Beman Crandall laid out the village of Crystal Lake in 1837. Their plan was surveyed and drawn by Asa F. Bradley, Deputy Surveyor for the County of Cook and submitted to McHenry County for approval. The original plat for the Village of Crystal Lake shows eight streets and twelve city blocks, including one block set aside as a public square (city park). The park was bounded by Florence, Virginia, King, and Park (Pierson) Streets. The main business district for the village was located on Virginia Street, formerly an old Native American trail. The public park was laid out with numerous walking paths crisscrossing the grounds. Early images show people walking, pushing strollers, and riding bicycles along the park paths. The large grassy lawns and tall shade trees provided a pleasant oasis for community gatherings and picnics. As early as 1893, a bandstand was situated in the public park. For many years, the city band performed at this location, entertaining local citizens. The bandstand was located on the west side of the park toward Florence Street, approximately where the water tower is today. The bandstand was removed in the late 1940s. A stone pump-house building was erected in the early 1900s. Although there have been numerous changes and additions to the old pump-house, you can still see the beauty of the original fieldstone building. Today, it is home to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. The building has been renamed, “The Blazier Center for Community, Leadership, and Commerce” in honor of Bob and Rosemary Blazier. In the 1930s the park’s name was changed to “Pierson Park,” to honor an early citizen, James T. Pierson. In 1955, the name was changed again to its current title of “McCormick Park,” in honor of Father E.A. McCormick, who served St. Thomas Parish for many, many years.