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All modern pictures in this section by Plaindealer Photographer Wayne Gaylord. AUGUST 6, 1975 PLAINDEALER CENTENNIAL EDITION-PAGE t Old Homes Of Ringwood This modern home, known asthe William R. Hoffman houselis believed to be about 135 years old. It is located at 4911 Barnard Mill road. One of the oldest houses in Ringwood is this one located at 4519 Ringwood road. For many years the George Shepards resided here. More recently, it was purchased by the Knight family. It was at one time known as the "Half-Way House". The William R. Hoffman house, located at 4911 Barnard Mill road, is believed to be about 135 years old. From family records, it is known that the William Langdell Smith family moved there about 1855, coming from Johnson, Ver­ mont. They settled in Ringwood in this house, located at the tirrte on what is now the lawn of the Morton Chemical plant. The house was moved to its present site about 1915 when the land was bought by the Bowman Dairy company. The Smith family, after losing one infant in Vermont, lost five more small children from typhoid fever in Ringwood. Out of a family of twelve children, only six sur­ vived. One of these died at the age of 21 years-the oldest lived to be 99. They bought the farm, which two sons later purchased from their father. Samuel William and Amos Wilson divided the original farm two and one-half miles northeast of Ringwood. The William L.Smith family moved to McHenry, where William died in January, 1902, and Maria in June of the same year. Mercedes Lindemann Hoff­ man, whose husband, Bill, died in 1973, said they didn't know until a year and one-half after they had bought the house from the late Mrs. Francis Stevenson estate, that her great- grandmother and great­ grandfather had lived in the very house they bought. The house on the southeast corner of Barnard Mill and Ringwood roads, now owned by the Moughs, was once owned and operated by the Brefields, who operated a Blind Pig or Wayside House and meat market in the early 1900's. This is also one of the oldest houses in town. Another house, which is also as old, was owned by the Shepard family, and has been sold to the Knight family. The home was once operated as "The Half-Way House"-a stopping point for travelers between Chicago and Williams Bay, Wis. Conveniences in­ cluded a stable and a basement "saloon" for the weary travelers. The Clayton Bruce farm was at one time owned by Charlie Bacon, who operated the livery stable for the weary travelers that stopped at the "Half-Way House." The old Beatty farm was built by Bill and Elsie Smith. The old chicken house was home of the post office before the 1900's. It stood on the vacant lot in front of the duplex building across from the side of the present post office. The deed to this farm is on the original par­ chment, obtained as a land grant from the government by This house on the southeast corner of Barnard Mill and Ringwood roads, now owned by the Mough family, was once operated as a Blind Pig or Wayside House and meat market in the early 1900's. It is one of the oldest houses in Ringwood. McHenry Shores Outgrowth Of Development In 1954 McHenry Shores Outgrowth The village of McHenry Shores had its beginning April 15, 1954, when Harold F. Miller and Kinley L. Engvalson of the Miller and Engvalson cor­ poration recorded the plat of McHenry Shores Unit 1. Unit 2 was plated and recorded the ninth day of May, 1955; Unit 3, March 29, 1956; Unit 4 Dec. 12, 1956, and Unit 5 July 1, 1960. Originally the area was farm land and only Unit 1 was able to the owners before the Beattys. This deed has been given to the McHenry County Historical society. The Walt Lows lived on the farm for several years before it was sold. The land now has been subdivided and is called Ringwood Acres. be used for building. As the community water well was developed, so were the ad­ ditional units. The water company was owned by Miller- Engvalson corporation at that time. At the corner of Stillhill and Broadway, where the Hoffman residence is now located, stood the silo, and as many claim, the still. Wood beams from-the original barn are now part of the family room at the Clarks residence. The original idea for McHenry Shores was to plan construction for a retirement community. However, as time progressed, many homes were sold again and today the community is balanced with retirement couples as well as families with children. According to the original deeds it was mandatory to join a lot owner's association when and if it should be organized. On Feb. 24, 1961, the McHenry Shores club was incorporated and so recorded. June 15, 1970, the McHenry Shores Lot Owners association was in­ corporated an outgrowth of the McHenry Shores club. The need for the association was evident for roads. On April 15, 1972, an election was held to determine if the poeple of McHenry Shores wished to incorporated as a village. The vote passed with 174 in favor and 109 opposed. On June 10, 1972, the first election for village officials showed the following results: President, Howard Bieritz; clerk Rose Lillegard, and six trustees, Lawrence Hicks, Donald Henderlong, Edwin Olbinski, Clarence Schweikert, William J. Dostal and Jeffrey L. Hoff­ man. Work began with two monthly open meetings that were held in the garage of William*Dostal. The first police chief was Charles Werth with officers, Robert Loss and Matron Doris Munroe. The first squad car was a used model which the village used for three years and has since been replaced. Bernard Narusis has hired for the incorporation and continued through the for­ mative years. There were building codes to be written, filing system to be organized, zoning ordinances to be formed and roads to be repaired and maintained. With the help of many residents, the work began and the job has never stopped. April 17, 1973, was the next election, when Donald Hen­ derlong and Edwin Olbinski won re-election and a newcomer, Mrs. Sandra L. Moyer, was elected to the village board. With the death of Mr. Engvalson, Mr. Miller sold the bulk of vacant lots to John Fuhler, along with the water company. As growth continued it was evident that the com­ munity water supply was rapidly becoming inadequate. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) brought charges against the water company for necessary repairs, in June of 1972. Sometime in March of 1973 the water company was purchased by Northern Illinois Utilities and in November of the same year, the now existing water tower was erected and completed. May 14, 1973, a special federal census was taking showing a DODulation of 847 in comparison to the 1970 census that showed 520 population. The first set of girl twins from McHenry Shores were born to Guy and Patricia Walton Dec. 3, 1973. The first woman voted as a municipality president in McHenry county was Rose Lillegard. BRADLEY GARAGE-In the good old days this was known as the Bradley garage. Later, until his retirement, it was operated by Clarence Pearson. * ' " * mmm i i : : ' • : ' BBS : R is "MR. DON'S" PEOPLE BRING YOU.... 100 YEARS of EXPERIENCE 4- mum* WE FEATURE COMPLETE CLEAHMHG SERViCES 1. Professional dry cleaning & pressing 2. Bulk Cleaning 3. Shirt Service 4. Alterations and reweaving 5. Suede and leather cleaning 6. Hats cleaned and blocked 7. Draperies 8. Knits--carefully restored to original size and style 9. Dyeing 10. Pillows--cleaned, fluffed, sanitized, deodorized and new ticking too. 11. Free storage with minimum 12. Furs--cleaned, glazed and cold storage 13. Furs--restyled and repaired "MR. DON'S" 1 HR. CLEANERS 1207 N. THIRD ST. "West 01 National Food Store" McHENRV. ILL 385 2011 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ( -- GLAVIANO'S INTERIORS J late WE'LL HELP YOU PLAN Fii A Jjjf I TOMORROW ft* \X 5>o"> * f°w'C"T fnRW TOPS S,0B'CU5W'" ,0 .eats ot whence in W*etT 0( a„7i'»m *s*#ws- -- WE PRICE IS;S2eo\0RS guwimw S IN „ C0NGRMU^TWNS McHENIW piMNDEM-ER ON V0UR • CENTENNIAL WR;