Wauconda, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Wauconda is a village in Lake County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 9,448 at the 2000 census, estimated to be 12,614 in 2006, and is projected to reach 13,811 by 2011. It is the site of the Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve
, a National Natural Landmark
. Wauconda Community School District 118 (CUSD 118) serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade who live in Wauconda and surrounding communities (Island Lake, Lakemoor, Volo, and unincorporated sections of McHenry County).
The Village Administrator oversees all Village departments and serves as a liaison between the Village residents and the Board. The Administrator supervises the daily operations of the Village with the assistance of staff, including the Chief of Police and the directors of Public Works, Finance, Human Resources/Risk Management, Information Technology, Environmental Quality, Building and Zoning, and Economic Development.
When the first settlers arrived, there were no Indians, as they had moved westward. In 1840, a remnant of the Winnebago tribe lived on the shores of the Fox River and came to Wauconda to trade. Several Indian mounds were found near here, and it is probable there was an encampment at Slocum Lake.
In 1836, Elihu Hubbard built a log cabin on the bank of the lake. In 1848, Justus Bangs, the first settler, built a home where the town hall now stands, and it was for him the lake was named. Wauconda was organized in 1849, and the first town meeting was held the first Tuesday in April, 1850.
Most of the early settlers came from New England and New York. They came by covered wagon and some came through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes.
The first main street ran along the bank of the lake and the streets leading into it were lanes. They used to ford the inlet and outlet of the lake.
The stage route from Chicago to Janesville, Wisconsin went through Wauconda. Ambrose Bangs drove the stage from Chicago to Janesville for eight years. It took him one week to make the round trip.
The first post office was at Slocum Lake, but the settlement did not prosper so on June 27, 1849, it was moved to Wauconda. The first postmaster at Wauconda was Hazard Green.
The first Baptist church was organized in the fall of 1838 by Elder Joel Wheeler of McHenry. A church was built by the Methodists in 1856 on the Common and was occupied by both Methodists and Baptists on alternate Sundays until February 1870, when the Baptists organized and in the summer of 1870 built a church at the cost of $5,500.00, dedicated October 30, 1870, free of debt. The Methodist church was organized Sept. 3, 1852, under the direction of Rev. C. French.
A Roman Catholic church was built in 1877, and the first trustees were: James Murray, Charles Davlin, Felix Givens, Hugh Davlin, and Owen McMahon. The first priest was Father O’Neil.
There was a saw and grist mill at the foot of Mill street near the lake. It burned in 1906. There was a brick yard on the Cook farm and another one on the Kent property on Maple avenue. A limestone kiln was located on the bank of the lake on Kimball’s property. At one time limestone was a very profitable business and there was an abundance around Wauconda. There was a foundry and blacksmith shop where Farman’s house now stands.
In 1839, the school district was organized and a schoolhouse built. It stood where the Clark Hotel later stood. It was log, 20 feet long, and was heated by a fireplace in one end. Books used were Cobb’s speller, the Bible, second and third readers and a book on arithmetic.
Population of Wauconda in 1850 was 200, and the town had three goods stores, two public houses and various mechanics.
The amount of the school fund of this township was $3,224.10. The assessed value of property for the year 1850, including both real and personal, was $61,907.00. The amount of tax computed on the same was $827.18.
Every summer, the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce holds a 2 day Rodeo to raise funds for their other works. The Rodeo is the only IPRA Sactioned rodeo in Lake County
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (9.81%) is water.
of 2000, there were 9,448 people, 3,611 households, and 2,404 families residing in the village. The population density
was 2,445.0 people per square mile (945.1/km²). There were 3,822 housing units at an average density of 989.1 per square mile (382.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 90.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 6.4% from other races
, and 0.9% from two or more races. 11.9% of the population reported being Latino of any race.
There were 3,611 households out of which 100% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the village the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $65,805, and the median income for a family was $56,576. Males had a median income of $64,027 versus $43,125 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $40,355. About 2.1% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 9,448 at the 2000 census, estimated to be 12,614 in 2006, and is projected to reach 13,811 by 2011. It is the site of the Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve
Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve
Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve is a tamarack bog located in Wauconda, a suburb of Chicago, located in Lake County, Illinois. It is a National Natural Landmark.-Biological history:...
, a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
. Wauconda Community School District 118 (CUSD 118) serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade who live in Wauconda and surrounding communities (Island Lake, Lakemoor, Volo, and unincorporated sections of McHenry County).
Government
Wauconda's local government consists of a Mayor, Clerk, and six-member Board of Trustees who are elected to four-year overlapping terms of office. Village Board meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Committee of the Whole meetings are held the second, fourth and sometimes fifth Tuesday of the month.The Village Administrator oversees all Village departments and serves as a liaison between the Village residents and the Board. The Administrator supervises the daily operations of the Village with the assistance of staff, including the Chief of Police and the directors of Public Works, Finance, Human Resources/Risk Management, Information Technology, Environmental Quality, Building and Zoning, and Economic Development.
History
Traditions say that Wauconda was named for an Indian Chief by that name (originally spelled "Wakanda"), who is buried somewhere on the southern bank of Bangs Lake, where the town hall was later built. The word translated from its Indian language means “Spirit Water.”When the first settlers arrived, there were no Indians, as they had moved westward. In 1840, a remnant of the Winnebago tribe lived on the shores of the Fox River and came to Wauconda to trade. Several Indian mounds were found near here, and it is probable there was an encampment at Slocum Lake.
In 1836, Elihu Hubbard built a log cabin on the bank of the lake. In 1848, Justus Bangs, the first settler, built a home where the town hall now stands, and it was for him the lake was named. Wauconda was organized in 1849, and the first town meeting was held the first Tuesday in April, 1850.
Most of the early settlers came from New England and New York. They came by covered wagon and some came through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes.
The first main street ran along the bank of the lake and the streets leading into it were lanes. They used to ford the inlet and outlet of the lake.
The stage route from Chicago to Janesville, Wisconsin went through Wauconda. Ambrose Bangs drove the stage from Chicago to Janesville for eight years. It took him one week to make the round trip.
The first post office was at Slocum Lake, but the settlement did not prosper so on June 27, 1849, it was moved to Wauconda. The first postmaster at Wauconda was Hazard Green.
The first Baptist church was organized in the fall of 1838 by Elder Joel Wheeler of McHenry. A church was built by the Methodists in 1856 on the Common and was occupied by both Methodists and Baptists on alternate Sundays until February 1870, when the Baptists organized and in the summer of 1870 built a church at the cost of $5,500.00, dedicated October 30, 1870, free of debt. The Methodist church was organized Sept. 3, 1852, under the direction of Rev. C. French.
A Roman Catholic church was built in 1877, and the first trustees were: James Murray, Charles Davlin, Felix Givens, Hugh Davlin, and Owen McMahon. The first priest was Father O’Neil.
There was a saw and grist mill at the foot of Mill street near the lake. It burned in 1906. There was a brick yard on the Cook farm and another one on the Kent property on Maple avenue. A limestone kiln was located on the bank of the lake on Kimball’s property. At one time limestone was a very profitable business and there was an abundance around Wauconda. There was a foundry and blacksmith shop where Farman’s house now stands.
In 1839, the school district was organized and a schoolhouse built. It stood where the Clark Hotel later stood. It was log, 20 feet long, and was heated by a fireplace in one end. Books used were Cobb’s speller, the Bible, second and third readers and a book on arithmetic.
Population of Wauconda in 1850 was 200, and the town had three goods stores, two public houses and various mechanics.
The amount of the school fund of this township was $3,224.10. The assessed value of property for the year 1850, including both real and personal, was $61,907.00. The amount of tax computed on the same was $827.18.
Every summer, the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce holds a 2 day Rodeo to raise funds for their other works. The Rodeo is the only IPRA Sactioned rodeo in Lake County
Geography
Wauconda is located at 42°16′1"N 88°8′34"W (42.266910, -88.142657).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (9.81%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,448 people, 3,611 households, and 2,404 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,445.0 people per square mile (945.1/km²). There were 3,822 housing units at an average density of 989.1 per square mile (382.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 90.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 6.4% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.9% from two or more races. 11.9% of the population reported being Latino of any race.
There were 3,611 households out of which 100% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the village the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $65,805, and the median income for a family was $56,576. Males had a median income of $64,027 versus $43,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $40,355. About 2.1% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
Wauconda notables
- On January 28, 2005, over 3,000 people participated in a snowSnowSnow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
ball fight for ten minutes, setting a new world record for most participants in such an event.http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4233574/Snowball-fight-record-has-Wauconda.html - Brent ShermanBrent ShermanBrent Sherman , a resident of Wauconda, Illinois, is a former driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series who later competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.-Biography:...
, NASCAR/ARCA Racecar driver. - The Blues BrothersThe Blues BrothersThe Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedy actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live...
was partially filmed in the village. A segment of the chase scene during the final third of the film featured the US-12 highway overpass over IL-176Illinois Route 176Illinois Route 176 is an east–west state route in northern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 23 in Marengo to the southern terminus of Illinois Route 131 in Lake Bluff. This is a distance of .- Route description :...
(Liberty St.)http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/locations/us12-il176/ as was a scene with the Blues Brothers driving onto Phil's Beach on North Main Street.http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com/locations/phils-beach/ - Dr Manhattan, a punk rock quartet.
- Camp Wauconda is mentioned in the movie Ghost Busters by Dan Aykroid's character, before the appearance of the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man.