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A Brief History of the Village of Johnsburg
The beautiful village of Johnsburg located in McHenry County Illinois, is brimming with history and fascinating tales! For anyone interested in the wider history of Illinois, it’s a great place to start.
A History of Lakeside Living
Johnsburg boasts the greatest amount of water frontage along the Chain O’ Lakes and Fox River, and water ripples in and out of our story from start to finish.
It was by water that the first settlers arrived in 1841 from the Eifel Region in Germany after crossing the Atlantic to escape religious persecution and poor conditions in their homeland. They were in search of a new life in a place where they could farm and raise their families and found what they were looking for in what we know today as the village of Johnsburg. Being family and church oriented, they built their first church just one year after arriving; a log cabin that also served as their school and meeting hall.
Who Were the First Settlers of the Village of Johnsburg?
We’re fortunate to be able to hear tales of the founding families from residents that still live in Johnsburg today.
Among the first settlers were William Frett’s great-grandparents who purchased property for $200 on which they farmed and raised their family.
William’s great-grandfather, Nicholas, wrote to his remaining family and friends in Germany to describe this wonderful place and encouraged them to make the journey so they too could experience the wonderful life he was now leading. Without a postal system in place, his letter would have taken years to reach its recipient, but reach them it did. Unfortunately, Nicholas passed away by the time they arrived, however his son, Johann, warmly greeted the new arrivals and helped them settle. So appreciative of Johann’s kindness, they named their new home after him. Today the locals love to share stories of their founders and proudly refer to one another as Johnsburgers.
William Frett fondly recalled a simpler time himself, of days playing by the river and using it as a bath at night. A highlight was when the ice cream boy came down the river selling sweet treats. That ice cream boy would go on to own a pontoon boat and motor shop on Crystal Lake Road – another nod to the changing of times.
Summering in Johnsburg
Cabins became popular in Johnsburg during the late 1800’s as families flocked out from Chicago to enjoy a more peaceful way of life during the summer. Women and children would spend the entire summer playing along the water while fathers would commute up on the weekends. Today many of those cabins have been replaced with permanent homes as residents and visitors enjoy year-round recreation.
Securing a Voice for Johnsburg
By 1922, the area grew more populated and the Johnsburg Community Club was established to ensure that the community had a voice. Club members did much to help the community, from distributing food baskets to securing the money needed to replace the old wooden bridge across the Fox River.
McHenry County’s First Rescue Squad
Our rescue squad is part of Illinois history! Johnsburg is proud to have established the first rescue squad in McHenry County and one of the first in the State of Illinois. The squad was established in 1953 thanks to many generous contributors who donated the funds needed to equip the squad. By 1934, the first hotel was built and a voting precinct was finally secured for Johnsburg in 1937.
The 1970s
Following 50 years of the Johnsburg Community Club’s establishment, members organized a community-wide celebration which they named Saufen und Spiel. The event has continued each year since, growing in size to what is now a three-day celebration, drawing people far and wide who come out to celebrate Johnsburg’s unique part in Illinois history and all that the community has to offer.
The 1990s Onwards
In 1991, Johnsburg again made news when it joined together with the neighboring Village of Sunnyside through an annexation which tripled Sunnyside’s population overnight; another first in the State of Illinois. Following the joining together of the communities, the village’s name was officially changed to Johnsburg. In 2006, the community celebrated 50 years of incorporation with a picnic in the park. The event was a great success and each year since, Johnsburg holds a Celebration in the Park event on the first Saturday in October, to celebrate the two neighboring communities coming together.
The Development of Economic Opportunities
The late 1990’s to early 2000’s brought about new housing and economic development for Johnsburg. The annexation of 600 acres of land in 1997 and construction of a wastewater treatment system in 2002 enabled the Village to develop a retail corridor along Illinois Route 31 which has drawn national retail interest.
Johnsburg: A Progressive Community
Throughout history Johnsburg has been home to many “firsts” thanks to the progressive thinking of its residents. Today that continues to be the case. In 2014 Johnsburg proudly became home to McHenry County’s first roundabout. While other communities debated the new approach to traffic control, Johnsburg’s residents welcomed the improvement in their downtown center.
A Hometown with Spirit
Throughout the years, Johnsburg has experienced much growth and progress, yet it still retains its small town atmosphere. Visitors flock to this friendly community to enjoy the recreational benefits of life on the water and all that Johnsburg has to offer.
Sandra Landen Machaj, provides a beautiful account of life on the water in her book Johnsburg and Pistakee Bay:
“The Pistakee Yacht Club with its colorful regattas brought visitors to both participate in and observe the white sails flying across the water. On summer evenings, the sound of music twinkled across the bay from parties held on the shore.”
Long may we continue the appreciation of our waterfront and this unique community that we are proud to be a part of. The village of Johnsburg continues to thrive and will forever play a role in the history of Illinois.
Visit Johnsburg!
We’d love for you to be a part of our future. Visit Johnsburg and explore a community full of local history and family values that live on today. Take a look at our calendar of events to see how you can get involved.
