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AUGUSTA, 1975 PLAINDEALER CENTENNIAL EDIT ION PAGE 10 The Buffalo House • • •• • Bay Area Grows From Duck Haven To Beautiful Resort Jutting within two miles of McHenry's northeast corporate limits is Pistakee Bay. a part of Pistakee lake which straddles the McHenry-Lake county line. F'istakee Bay, since the days when pioneer John Pitzen, a German, built a log cabin on its western shore, has developed into McHenry's beautiful estate region. The Pitzen name is sti l l a familiar one at the Bay. Later came the Pistakee cottage grounds owned by John Still ing. This tract of about 40 acres, a part of the claim taken from the government in 1836 by Chauncey Beckwith, was purchased from him for $800. Litt le did ' those early pioneers dream that in less than a century, lots around the Bay would be selling for $15,000--if you could find one for sale. By the mid 'seventies, many of the larger estates have been subdivided. Bert Stil l ing, who died Nov. 11, 1934, built the first hotel on Pistakee Bay. He saw that region develop from a deserted lake with muddy shores, a favorite habitat for ducks and other wild game, into the modern summer resorts of landscaped lawns and palatial homes. Stil l ing was born on Pistakee Bay road April 16, 1862. the son of Gerhardt and Catherine Still ing, who owned much of the Bay's west shoreland. Names long familiar and active on Pistakee Bay have been Bald Knob, Coon Island, and Pink Harrison's Resort, among others. The Buffalo House at Lily Lake (now known as Lee and Mary's Lakeside Inn) was operated in 1907 by John A. Worts, proprieter, Sign at the extreme left of picture shows the name "M. L. Worts" along with the insignia of Mchenry Brewery and the brand name, "Buffalo Beer". Two unidentified gentlemen in the center of the picture are holding a string of fish caught in Lily Lake. Children standing behind the fish are, left to right: unknown, Clara, Laura and Willie Worts, John's children; standing in the rear, John A. Worts, Peter Folschweiler, Josephine Folschweiler, Ed Taylor (in Derby hat), Lydia Vickery, Baby Bernard Worts, Mrs. Peter (Gertude) Worts, Mrs. John (Lena) Worts, Michael J. Worts (holding the horse), Peter Weber, Theodore Wagner, Peter Worts and Bill Frost. if « u "L, » - ' BUS TO PISTAKEE BAY-This picture was taken between 1908 and 1912. It shows bus that ran from McHenry railroad station to Pistakee Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Adams operated the bus. LAKEMOOR '51 INCORPORATION (Continued from page 9) signing a contract with the county of McHenry fo| police protection. The United Pen­ tecostal church erected a house of worship in 1974 and is at­ tended by quite a large congregation. Organizations in existence today are the Ladies league, the Parents for Youth, whose sole purpose is to provide ac­ tivities for the youth of the village and the Homeowners association. Various small social clubs stil l meet. Present officials for the village are president, Richard Hyatt; clerk, Carol Schmidt; trustees, Alyce Kowal, Harry Brady, Odiel Samyn, Harold Freeman. Earl Reese and Edna Garbacz; attorney, Thomas Baker; treasurer, Pacita Morrison. The Civil Defense Unit is headed by Norman Morrison. In the year 1901, an inn known as the Buffalo House located at Lily Lake was owned and operated by Michael L. Worts. He built i t on land he acquired from his father, Theodore Worts. The building stil l stands on its original site and is now known as the Lakeside Inn. Although extensive remodeling through the years has altered its appearance, the original l ines of the structure remain evident. Mr. Worts and his wife, Catherine, nee Boley, ran the place until 1906 when they moved to McHenry to take over the ownership and operation of the McHenry Brewery together with Gottlieb "Patsy" Boley, Mr. Worts ' brother-in-law. The operation of the Buffalo House was then passed on to Michael 's brother, John A. Worts. McHenry Brewery's Buffalo Beer was served at the bar and is probably how the inn The present population by the 1970 census is l isted at 800. received its name. John Worts operated the business until about 1911 when he, too, moved to McHenry. Since then, the place was owned and-or operated by various parties other than the Worts family. The Buffalo House was a combination hotel and bar. Travelers and fishermen were among those who availed themselves of i ts facili t ies, for in those days the surrounding lakes provided excellent fishing for the sportsman. The Worts family of four brothers and five sisters were the offspring of Theodore Worts, a Civil War veteran, and his wife Catherine. The family spent most of their years in the McHenry area. Theodore immigrated from Germany with his mother, Anna, and stepfather, Michael Winkle, in 1842 at the age of 6 years. They were among the first of the German immigrants who settled in the Johnsburg and McHenry vicinity. §U' POSTAL DELIVERY IN '14-Rural free delivery as done in the modern style of 1914. This photo was taken on Regner road. Trip To Lotus Beds Captain Kepke's boat was well known in the early years of this century. It made regular trips between McHenry and Grass Lake, where thousands viewed the famous lotus beds each year. These are the famous lotus beds of Grass Lake, where regular excursions were made by boat from McHenry each year. The.beds were said to flourish in only one other location in the world, in the Nile river. They disappeared from Grass lake many years ago. Modern Photographs by Plaindealer Photographer Wayne Gaylord. V THE FASHION SH0PPE OFFERING YOU FINE QUALITY WOMEN'S APPAREL SINCE 1964. Fashions have changed alot since we first opened our doors back in 1964, and we have tried hard to bring our customers the latest styles of good quality at reasonable prices. It is this same kind of dedication which has enabled the McHenry Plaindealer to celebrate its centennial year. FROM ALL OF US AT THE FASHION SH0PPE... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! AND MANY MORE TO COME. THE FASHION SHOPPE 1007 N. FRONT ST. (RT. 31) MeHENRY, 111. PHONE (815) 385-7747 OPEN FRIDAYS UNTIL 9 P.M. BANKAMEHICARH WERE YOU HERE IN 1956? Merriest Meals WE'VE COAAE A LONG WAY, BABY! Open 7 Days a Week PRIME RIBS of BEEF STEAKS - CHOPS Extensive SEAFOOD Menu "Sing-A-Long" with MILLIE O'BRIEN Fri. & Sat. Nights FOR RESERVATIONS 815-385-2671 MeHENRY ILL. 801 N. RIVER ROAD 1 X