OVERVIEW

The Village of Cary is one of the fastest growing communities in McHenry County, which has been one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois and the Midwest over the past several years. The population, as counted in a special census in 1997, was just shy of 15,000.

Many of the newcomers are attracted to the quiet suburban living and small town atmosphere that can be a relief from the big city living of Chicago and its much larger suburbs that are to the east of Cary. Cary is also very easily accessible through a variety of transportation, which makes it appealing to individuals who work outside of the Village, and to companies that need to ship products across the country. Commuters enjoy the convenience of a METRA train station in town, U.S. Route 14 runs to Wisconsin and toward Chicago, and Interstate 90 is less than 15 minutes to the south. Air travel is also accessible at Lake in the Hills Airport and OHare International, which is less than an hour away.

Another feature that makes Cary unique are the native prairies that have survived and still thrive in the area. There are several locations in the area where you can see these prairies that are as rare and magnificent as other more well-known natural wonders that you would have to travel days to see. The Cary Park District does a superb job of keeping area residents on the go with plenty of outdoor and indoor recreational activities. The District maintains the Community Center, featuring pools, exercise equipment, and racquetball courts. There are also almost 30 parks in the area for outdoor fun and relaxation, and a myriad of sports leagues for everyone whether they are young or old, male or female.


HISTORY

The town of Cary was founded in the year 1841 when William D. Cary purchased 82 acres for $1.25 an acre. Three years later he bought 80 more acres. He continued to purchase acres until he reached 640. The Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad started a railroad line from Chicago to Janesville, Wisconsin in 1853. Economic problems stalled construction the following year and then in 1855 construction began again. In 1856 William Cary noticed all the activity in the area due to the railroad construction so he platted a town site one mile northwest of the Fox River. Cary Station came into existence and the railroad quickly accepted the site. Next to be established was a post office. Street improvements became necessary so in 1893 the residents incorporated their community and L.E. Mentch was the president. Cary served those who worked for the railroad as well as area farmers. In 1859, the railroad became the Chicago & North Western Railway.

Cary offered rolling grasslands which provided wonderful pasturage for dairy cattle. Borden Dairy opened a large bottling plant in Cary in 1903 and not long after that Oatman Milk Company opened its doors. Cary, located in the Fox River Valley, was quickly discovered by people to be a place where you can find pure air and clean, fish-filled waters. This area provided a marvelous setting for resort vacations, so family run resorts started to pop up on the west bank of the river around Cary.

The population of Cary has continued to grow steadily over the last 50 years. In 1950 the population was 943. That grew to 6,640 in 1980 and to 15,531 in the year 2000.


GOVERNMENT OFFICES

The town of Cary was founded in the year 1841 when William D. Cary purchased 82 acres for $1.25 an acre. Three years later he bought 80 more acres. He continued to purchase acres until he reached 640. The Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad started a railroad line from Chicago to Janesville, Wisconsin in 1853. Economic problems stalled construction the following year and then in 1855 construction began again. In 1856 William Cary noticed all the activity in the area due to the railroad construction so he platted a town site one mile northwest of the Fox River. Cary Station came into existence and the railroad quickly accepted the site. Next to be established was a post office. Street improvements became necessary so in 1893 the residents incorporated their community and L.E. Mentch was the president. Cary served those who worked for the railroad as well as area farmers. In 1859, the railroad became the Chicago & North Western Railway.

Cary offered rolling grasslands which provided wonderful pasturage for dairy cattle. Borden Dairy opened a large bottling plant in Cary in 1903 and not long after that Oatman Milk Company opened its doors. Cary, located in the Fox River Valley, was quickly discovered by people to be a place where you can find pure air and clean, fish-filled waters. This area provided a marvelous setting for resort vacations, so family run resorts started to pop up on the west bank of the river around Cary.

The population of Cary has continued to grow steadily over the last 50 years. In 1950 the population was 943. That grew to 6,640 in 1980 and to 15,531 in the year 2000.


UTILITIES

Gas Company
NICOR
P.O. Box 190
Aurora, IL 60507
888-642-6748

Electric Company
ComEd
P.O. Box 805379
Chicago, IL 60680
800-334-7661

Phone Company
AT&T
30 S. Wacker Drive, 34th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
800-244-4444

Water Company
Cary Water & Sanitation Dept.
655 Village Hall Drive
Cary, IL 60013
815-639-0003


SCHOOLS

Briargate Elementary School
100 S. Wulff Street
Cary, IL 60013
847-639-2348

Maplewood Elementary School
422 W. Krenz Avenue
Cary, IL 60013
847-639-2152

Three Oaks School
1514 E. Three Oaks Road
Cary, IL 60013
847-516-5533

Deer Path Elementary School
2211 Crystal Lake Road
Cary, IL 60013
847-516-6350

Prairie Hill School
233 E. Oriole Trail
Cary, IL 60013
847-516-5513

Cary Junior High School
2109 Crystal Lake Road
Cary, IL 60013
847-639-2148

Cary-Grove Community High School
2208 Three Oaks Road
Cary, IL 60013
847-639-3825

Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School
416 1st Street
Cary, IL 60013
847-639-3041


TRIVIA

One resorter on the west bank river of Cary was John Hertz. He made a fortune expanding the Parmelee Transfer Service into Chicagos Yellow Cab Company.

Historical tornado activity is slightly below Illinois state average.

For the movie Groundhog Day, the interiors of Bill Murrays room at the bed and breakfast were filmed in an empty warehouse in Cary, Illinois.One resorter on the west bank river of Cary was John Hertz. He made a fortune expanding the Parmelee Transfer Service into Chicagos Yellow Cab Company.

Historical tornado activity is slightly below Illinois state average.

For the movie Groundhog Day, the interiors of Bill Murrays room at the bed and breakfast were filmed in an empty warehouse in Cary, Illinois.