Contact Info
3702 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Township Supervisor: Randy Funk
Friday: 8:00 am–2:00 pm (summer hours)
Assessor: Richard S. Alexander, CIAO
Highway Commissioner: Danijela Sandberg
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 am–3:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am–12:00 pm (summer hours)
Township Clerk: Maureen Huff
About Us
Algonquin Township Overview
Algonquin Township is the largest township in McHenry County with a population of over 87,000 residents, covering 48 square miles. The Township includes the communities of Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Lake In The Hills, Port Barrington, Lakewood, Oakwood Hills, and Trout Valley. The Algonquin Township provides a high quality of life for its residents by providing road maintenance, General Assistance, and property assessment in a fiscally responsible manner.
Monthly Township Meetings Are Open to The Public
Crystal Lake Cemetery
ln 1836 Ziba Beardsley honored the clarity of the lake near his home by dubbing it Crystal Lake and the cemetery adopted the same name. Established in 1840, the Crystal Lake Cemetery was the first public burial ground in Algonquin Township, with Ella King of Crystal Lake being the first burial that year.
Since then, nearly 1,200 burials have taken place at this 2-acre cemetery, including 54 veterans and about 450 of children.
The Crystal Lake Cemetery is the final resting ground for many significant people who are part of Crystal Lake and Algonquin Township history. These include:
- Beman and Polly Crandall – credited as being the first settlers of Crystal Lake
- Hannah Beardsley Wallace – credited as being the first school teacher in Crystal Lake. She and her first husband, Franklin Wallace (also buried here), were married in 1840. Beman Crandall was the Justice of the Peace performing the ceremony, and this was the first marriage performed in Algonquin Township.
- Ziba Beardsley (Hannah’s older brother) – is said to be the one who stood on the shores of our beautiful spring-fed lake and declared, “the waters are as clear as crystal.”
- John Brink – local government surveyor who ran many of the township dividing lines throughout northern Illinois. He is also credited with many of the earliest plat maps of McHenry County.
- William Day Gates – of Terra Cotta fame and his father, Simon S. Gates who at one time had owned much of Algonquin Township, are both buried here.
- Colonel Gustavus and Henrietta Palmer – Their house, home to the Crystal Lake Historical Society, is the only structure in Crystal Lake listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 54 veterans are buried at the Crystal Lake Cemetery, broken down as follows: 1-Patriot’s War, 6-War of 1812, 45-Civil War, 2-WWI
Ownership of the cemetery was transferred to Algonquin Township in the late 1990s. At the April, 2000 Algonquin Township Annual Town Meeting, the citizens of Algonquin Township voted to apply for landmark designation for the Cemetery. On August 15, 2000, the Crystal Lake City Council voted unanimously to approve the application for Landmark Designation of the cemetery.
The Landmark Designation bestows legal protection to the property for the purpose of preserving its public character and history. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) provides the necessary oversight.
Any changes to a landmarked property require submittal and approval by the HPC of a Certificate of Appropriateness. This oversight is necessary as well-intentioned cleanings or repairs to headstones can actually cause more harm than good.
Beginning in 2020 and under the guidance of the HPC, Eagle Scout candidate, Mitchell Hopkins, led a team of volunteers to clean several veteran’s headstones at the Crystal Lake Cemetery. Since then, the HPC adopted a project to clean all of the veteran’s headstones. Additionally, biographies for each of these veterans are being researched and written with the intent to compile a book/booklet with this information.
The township has a copy of a written inventory completed by volunteers of the McHenry County Genealogical Society. An online pictorial inventory of the cemetery can be found on the Crystal Lake Historical Society’s website cl-hs.org/cemetery/lakeavenue/.
Crystal Lake Cemetery
ln 1836 Ziba Beardsley honored the clarity of the lake near his home by dubbing it Crystal Lake and the cemetery adopted the same name. Established in 1840, the Crystal Lake Cemetery was the first public burial ground in Algonquin Township, with Ella King of Crystal Lake being the first burial that year.
Since then, nearly 1,200 burials have taken place at this 2-acre cemetery, including 54 veterans and about 450 of children.
The Crystal Lake Cemetery is the final resting ground for many significant people who are part of Crystal Lake and Algonquin Township history. These include:
- Beman and Polly Crandall – credited as being the first settlers of Crystal Lake
- Hannah Beardsley Wallace – credited as being the first school teacher in Crystal Lake. She and her first husband, Franklin Wallace (also buried here), were married in 1840. Beman Crandall was the Justice of the Peace performing the ceremony, and this was the first marriage performed in Algonquin Township.
- Ziba Beardsley (Hannah’s older brother) – is said to be the one who stood on the shores of our beautiful spring-fed lake and declared, “the waters are as clear as crystal.”
- John Brink – local government surveyor who ran many of the township dividing lines throughout northern Illinois. He is also credited with many of the earliest plat maps of McHenry County.
- William Day Gates – of Terra Cotta fame and his father, Simon S. Gates who at one time had owned much of Algonquin Township, are both buried here.
- Colonel Gustavus and Henrietta Palmer – Their house, home to the Crystal Lake Historical Society, is the only structure in Crystal Lake listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 54 veterans are buried at the Crystal Lake Cemetery, broken down as follows: 1-Patriot’s War, 6-War of 1812, 45-Civil War, 2-WWI
Ownership of the cemetery was transferred to Algonquin Township in the late 1990s. At the April, 2000 Algonquin Township Annual Town Meeting, the citizens of Algonquin Township voted to apply for landmark designation for the Cemetery. On August 15, 2000, the Crystal Lake City Council voted unanimously to approve the application for Landmark Designation of the cemetery.
The Landmark Designation bestows legal protection to the property for the purpose of preserving its public character and history. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) provides the necessary oversight.
Any changes to a landmarked property require submittal and approval by the HPC of a Certificate of Appropriateness. This oversight is necessary as well-intentioned cleanings or repairs to headstones can actually cause more harm than good.
Beginning in 2020 and under the guidance of the HPC, Eagle Scout candidate, Mitchell Hopkins, led a team of volunteers to clean several veteran’s headstones at the Crystal Lake Cemetery. Since then, the HPC adopted a project to clean all of the veteran’s headstones. Additionally, biographies for each of these veterans are being researched and written with the intent to compile a book/booklet with this information.
The township has a copy of a written inventory completed by volunteers of the McHenry County Genealogical Society. An online pictorial inventory of the cemetery can be found on the Crystal Lake Historical Society’s website cl-hs.org/cemetery/lakeavenue/.
Chunn's Burying Ground
Click here for a virtual tour of Chunn’s Burying Ground.
Click here for more info on Chunn’s Burying Ground.
Chunn's Burying Ground
Click here for a virtual tour of Chunn’s Burying Ground.
Click here for more info on Chunn’s Burying Ground.
Algonquin Township Boundary Map
The McHenry County Historical Museum Offers Algonquin Township Residents Free Year-Round Admission
The MCCHS would like to offer Algonquin Township residents free year-round admission.
On July 4, 1976, the Society’s Museum in Union, IL, officially opened to the public. The Museum is open May through October.
Please save the date for the annual Museum Opening Celebration on June 7, 2024.
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturdays 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
*closed for major holidays
Admission charge for non-members:
Adults – $5
Seniors (60+) and Students – $3
Families – $12
Location:
6422 Main Street, Union, IL 60180
For more information visit the museums website, www.mchenrycountyhistory.org, or call 815-923-2267.
Services
Activities: Free and Open to All
Check our calendar for details.
Hall Rental
Recycling – Year- Round
Cell phones, glasses, hearing aids, retired flags, broken down cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, tires-nominal fee, shoes, clothes, aluminum, and metal cans.
Call 847.639.2700 X6 or click here for more info.
Recycling - Special Recycling
Dates for this year are the last Saturday of each month from April thru October, 9 am–11 am. Items accepted include paint (fee), one TV or monitor per household, small appliances, and oil.
Call 847.639.2700 X6 or click here for more info.
Free Mulch, Sandbags, and Sand
Call 847.639.2700 X6 or click here for more info.
General Assistance
Emergency Assistance
Provides financial aid to help alleviate a life-threatening circumstance or help pay for work related expense necessary to obtain or maintain employment, call 847.639.2700 X7... more info
Notary Service
Notary Public Services are available on site Monday – Friday 8am-4pm during business days. Closed on Holidays.
- No Charge for Service.
- Please bring a picture State ID.
Bus Transportation Within the Township for Those in Need
Call 847.639.2700 X6 for reservations or click here for more info.
RTA Permit Application
RTA Sr. Permit applications may be completed at the Township office.
AARP Tax Preparation
By appointment only, watch website for January signup date.
Voter Registration
Brush Drop-off
Click here for more info.
Brush Pick-up
Click here for more info.
Sign Reservation: Advertise Your Message on Route 14!
Property Tax Homestead Exemptions
Call 847-639-2700 x5 or visit the Assessor's page for more info.
Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
Call 847-639-2700 x5 or visit the Assessor's page for more info.
Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze
Call 847-639-2700 x5 or visit the Assessor's page for more info.
Water Test Kits
Water test kits available at the Township and should be returned to the McHenry County Department of Health.
Rules of the Road Books
Click here to download the Illinois Rules of the Road book via PDF.
AARP Driver Safety Classes
Coming Spring 2022.
Free Coast2Coast Discount Prescription Card
Save up to 75% on prescriptions. Cards may be picked up at the Township office. Click here to create your free prescription card.
Voter Registration
Voter office registration will be closed at the Township from October 8 – November 7, 2024. For more information, contact the County Clerk’s office at
Activities: Free and Open to All
Check our calendar for details.
Hall Rental
Recycling – Year- Round
Cell phones, glasses, hearing aids, retired flags, broken down cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, tires-nominal fee, shoes, clothes, aluminum, and metal cans.
Call 847.639.2700 X6 or click here for more info.
Recycling - Special Recycling
Dates for this year are the last Saturday of each month from April thru October, 9 am–11 am. Items accepted include paint (fee), one TV or monitor per household, small appliances, and oil.
Call 847.639.2700 X6 or click here for more info.
Free Mulch, Sandbags, and Sand
Call 847.639.2700 X6 or click here for more info.
General Assistance
Emergency Assistance
Provides financial aid to help alleviate a life-threatening circumstance or help pay for work related expense necessary to obtain or maintain employment, call 847.639.2700 X7... more info
Notary Service
Notary Public Services are available on site Monday – Friday 8am-4pm during business days. Closed on Holidays.
- No Charge for Service.
- Please bring a picture State ID.
Bus Transportation Within the Township for Those in Need
Call 847.639.2700 X6 for reservations or click here for more info.
RTA Permit Application
RTA Sr. Permit applications may be completed at the Township office.
AARP Tax Preparation
By appointment only, watch website for January signup date.
Brush Drop-off
Please submit request online or call 847.639.2700 X6.
Click here for more info.
Brush Pick-up
Click here for more info.
Sign Reservation: Advertise Your Message on Route 14!
Click here to download our Sign Reservation form.
Property Tax Homestead Exemptions
Call 847-639-2700 x5 or visit the Assessor's page for more info.
Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
Call 847-639-2700 x5 or visit the Assessor's page for more info.
Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze
Call 847-639-2700 x5 or visit the Assessor's page for more info.
Water Test Kits
Water test kits available at the Township and should be returned to the McHenry County Department of Health.
Rules of the Road Books
Click here to download the Illinois Rules of the Road book via PDF.
AARP Driver Safety Classes
Coming Spring 2022.
Free Coast2Coast Discount Prescription Card
Save up to 75% on prescriptions. Cards may be picked up at the Township office. Click here to create your free prescription card.
Crystal Lake Cemetery
ln 1836 Ziba Beardsley honored the clarity of the lake near his home by dubbing it Crystal Lake and the cemetery adopted the same name. Established in 1840, the Crystal Lake Cemetery was the first public burial ground in Algonquin Township, with Ella King of Crystal Lake being the first burial that year.
Since then, nearly 1,200 burials have taken place at this 2-acre cemetery, including 54 veterans and about 450 of children.
The Crystal Lake Cemetery is the final resting ground for many significant people who are part of Crystal Lake and Algonquin Township history. These include:
- Beman and Polly Crandall – credited as being the first settlers of Crystal Lake
- Hannah Beardsley Wallace – credited as being the first school teacher in Crystal Lake. She and her first husband, Franklin Wallace (also buried here), were married in 1840. Beman Crandall was the Justice of the Peace performing the ceremony, and this was the first marriage performed in Algonquin Township.
- Ziba Beardsley (Hannah’s older brother) – is said to be the one who stood on the shores of our beautiful spring-fed lake and declared, “the waters are as clear as crystal.”
- John Brink – local government surveyor who ran many of the township dividing lines throughout northern Illinois. He is also credited with many of the earliest plat maps of McHenry County.
- William Day Gates – of Terra Cotta fame and his father, Simon S. Gates who at one time had owned much of Algonquin Township, are both buried here.
- Colonel Gustavus and Henrietta Palmer – Their house, home to the Crystal Lake Historical Society, is the only structure in Crystal Lake listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 54 veterans are buried at the Crystal Lake Cemetery, broken down as follows: 1-Patriot’s War, 6-War of 1812, 45-Civil War, 2-WWI
Ownership of the cemetery was transferred to Algonquin Township in the late 1990s. At the April, 2000 Algonquin Township Annual Town Meeting, the citizens of Algonquin Township voted to apply for landmark designation for the Cemetery. On August 15, 2000, the Crystal Lake City Council voted unanimously to approve the application for Landmark Designation of the cemetery.
The Landmark Designation bestows legal protection to the property for the purpose of preserving its public character and history. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) provides the necessary oversight.
Any changes to a landmarked property require submittal and approval by the HPC of a Certificate of Appropriateness. This oversight is necessary as well-intentioned cleanings or repairs to headstones can actually cause more harm than good.
Beginning in 2020 and under the guidance of the HPC, Eagle Scout candidate, Mitchell Hopkins, led a team of volunteers to clean several veteran’s headstones at the Crystal Lake Cemetery. Since then, the HPC adopted a project to clean all of the veteran’s headstones. Additionally, biographies for each of these veterans are being researched and written with the intent to compile a book/booklet with this information.
The township has a copy of a written inventory completed by volunteers of the McHenry County Genealogical Society. An online pictorial inventory of the cemetery can be found on the Crystal Lake Historical Society’s website cl-hs.org/cemetery/lakeavenue/.
Chunn’s Burying Ground
T.R. Chunn & Joshua M. Stevens were partners and the original settlers and owners of this property. Chunn died the day after Christmas in 1843 and was buried here on his property, hence the name of the cemetery. His partner Joshua Stevens also died shortly thereafter. The cemetery came back into Chunn ownership in 1860 when C.C. Chunn bought it for $25.
Click here for more on Chunn's Burying Ground: https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-j-z/planning-development/commissions-committees-boards/local-historic-landmarks/chunns-burying-ground