History of Grayslake
This is a chronological history of Grayslake, Illinois.
1818
Illinois was admitted into the Union
1836
The Rich family came from New York
1837
Lawrence Forvor and Ben Drury came from Ohio
1839
Elijah Haines build first home in Hainesville
Lake and McHenry Counties separated
1842
William Gray bought land, including part of the lake
1847
Hainesville incorporated
1850
Lawrence Forvor donated land for a school
1867
Lawrence Forvor deeded land for a cemetery
1886
Wisconsin Central railroad station completed
Grayslake platted as a subdivision
Fourth class post office established in Grayslake
1889
Grayslake’s first doctor, Dr. Shaffer, came to town
1891
First church organized as a Congregational Church
1895
Grayslake incorporated
Frame school house moved to Whitney Street and became village hall
1897
Electric lights started to be installed in business section
1898
Local phone service started
1899
Long distance phone service began
Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad put in line
F.C. Wilbur Lumber Company burned
Grayslake Fire Department organized
1900
Grayslake had 416 residents
1901
Grayslake Methodist Church started
1905
First issue of Grayslake Times published
Cement sidewalks started to replace wooden walkways
1907
First St. Andrew Episcopal Church service held
1910
Grayslake had 603 residents
1914
Bonds issued for village waterworks piping system
1916
Sewer system installed
1918
Center Avenue (present day Lake Street) paved
1920
Grayslake had 736 residents
1922
Gelatin factory came to Grayslake
1923
Plans completed to put Route 21 (present Route 83/Barron Boulevard) on eastern edge of village
1924
New village well completed
1925
Gas company started digging gas mains to supply village with gas
1926
Center Street paved
1930
Grayslake had 1118 residents
St. Gilbert Catholic Church celebrated first Mass
Circus wintered in Grayslake
1938
Major flood caused rowboats to be used on streets
1940
Grayslake had 1182 residents
1941
Grayslake Area Public Library started
1946
Grayslake Community High School became a reality
1948
Grayslake celebrated Douglas Getchell Day
1949
Village delivery of mail began
Village celebrated A.A. McMillen Day
Fort Hill School District 45 consolidated with Grayslake District 46
1950
Congregational and Methodist Churches merged to form United Protestant Church
Grayslake had 1970 residents
1952
Sewer system moved from Center Street to Route 83
Municipal garbage collection started
1955
Wilbur Lumber Company burned
1959
Grayslake Park District organized
Burgess Vibrocrafters Inc. burned
1960
Grayslake had 3762 residents
1962
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church signed church charter
1963
Grayslake honored Jay Hook with a parade
1965
Soo line passenger service ended
1969
College of Lake County opened its doors
Grayslake Junior High welcomed students at 400 N. Barron Boulevard
1970
Grayslake celebrated its Diamond Jubilee
Grayslake Bowling Alley burned
Grayslake had 4907 residents
1974
Faith Baptist Church became a religious entity
Grayslake Recycling Center opened
Hook Lumber Company (former Wilbur Lumber) burned
1976
Grayslake took part in Bicentennial Celebration
Grayslake Fire Protection District approved by voters
Initial service of Living Waters Assembly of God Church took place
1977
Lake County Area Vocational Center began classes
1979
International Fire Chief Rockenbach honored with a parade
1980
Grayslake had 5260 residents
Electra Restaurant burned
New police facility on Hawley Street dedicated to former Chief Gordon Shattuck
1984
Lake County Fairgrounds on Route 45 annexed to the village
Grayslake hired first village manager
1988
Avon School District 47 merged with Grayslake School District 46
1990
Johnny D’s Restaurant burned
Grayslake had 7388 residents
1991
911 installed as emergency phone number
1992
Lake Michigan water came to Grayslake
Water treatment plant dedicated to former Mayor Edwin Schroeder
Grayslake Village Hall moved to 33 S. Whitney Street
1993
Grayslake Municipal Historical Museum dedicated, managed by Grayslake Historical Society
1996
Meadowview School started classes
Metra passenger service began on Soo Line tracks
1997
Police Department moved to Whitney Street
2000
Grayslake had population of 18,506
Construction of Frederick School completed
2001
University Center broke ground for classroom building
2002
Prairieview School in Hainesville opened
Lakeview School closed
Grayslake Post Office moved to Commerce Drive
Senior Center opened at Library Lane
2004
Grayslake North High School opened for freshman only
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital opened
2006
Stratford Hall razed to make room for new Village Hall on Seymour Avenue
Washington Street train station opened
2007
Grayslake Park District opened Recreation Center at 240 Commerce Drive
Park School opened
Former bank building at 201 Center demolished
2008
Alleghany Park opened
New police station added to Grayslake Village Hall
New Lake County Fair Grounds dedicated
Oasis Youth Center opened at 151 Hawley
2009
Lakeland Publishers building (former Battershall building) on Whitney Street demolished
2010
Grayslake had population of 21,101
2012
Lake Street train station re-dedicated
2013
Former Sears Mansion razed
Rockenbach Chevrolet sold
Last Chance Saloon closed
Grayslake Centennial Park moved and became Centennial Plaza
Atkinson Road extended
2014
The Museum Annex was rededicated and opened with improved lighting, air conditioning and new exhibits highlighting Grayslake’s farming background and the Society’s collection of horse-drawn vehicles.
Wilbur, the fire truck made in Grayslake, celebrated its 60th birthday.
2015
EF1 tornado touched down in Grayslake
2017
Six inches of rain flooded Grayslake and surrounding areas. The lower level of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum flooded with six feet of water, covering the Society’s archives, collections and office. The Society moved its office and archives to another location in the Museum while the collections are stored in an offsite facility.
2020
Society in partnership with the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge installed a standing bronze history plaque at the northeast corner of Lake and Center Streets telling the history of the Congregational Church building which became Grayslake’s Masonic Temple.
The Society published Stories of Grayslake