Fox River Grove, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Fox River Grove is a village in the Cuba Township
of Lake County
and the Algonquin Township
of McHenry County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 4,862 at the 2000 census.
In 1869 Frank Opatrny purchased 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) of land on the southern shore of the Fox River. The area gained a reputation with city dwellers as an ideal vacation spot. In 1900, Frank's son Eman Opatrny bought the land from his father converting the family land into a tourist destination the Fox River Picnic Grove. In 1902, Opatrny added a luxury hotel, named the Castle Pavilion, which featured windows from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
In 1905, the Norge Ski Club purchased land in Fox River Grove for a ski jump. The Norge Ski Club is the oldest, continuously open ski club in the United States. The Norge Ski Club is also home to the Windy City Balloon Port, whose hot air balloons float along the Fox River.
In 1919, the town of Fox River Grove incorporated. In the same year Louis Cernocky, Sr. established Louis's Place, a Bohemian restaurant and bar. In 1922, Cernocky built Louis' Crystal Ballroom behind the restaurant which was known to be frequented by many prominent Chicago residents.
In 1931 Theodore Bettendorff began work on what would come to be known as Castle Vianden which is located along what is now U.S. Route 14
. By 1960, the castle, which was open to visitors, had eight towers a guard room, bugle tower, castle yard, enclosed sun porch, modern kitchen, garage, dungeon, and a wishing well. Bettendorff continued to add to his castle until his death in 1967. During the 1970s, the castle was rented out as a honeymoon retreat.
In 1942, the Picnic Grove land was purchased by Louis, Jr. and Clara Cernocky. Louis was a successful local businessman and Clara was the daughter of Eman Opatrny. The Picnic Grove remained a popular vacation destination for approximately 20 years before it fell into disarray.
After changing hands several times, in 1994 the Village of Fox River Grove obtained a grant to acquire 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) along the river and was named the Picnic Grove Park. The rest of the land was to be developed into what is now the Picnic Grove Subdivision. Remnants of the Fox River Picnic Grove can still be seen in the park.
passenger train, running express towards Chicago
, collided with a Cary-Grove High School school bus
, killing seven high school students. The accident brought reform and increased safety standards nationwide of signalled rail crossings located very near street and highway intersections which are regulated by traffic signals, also known as interconnected crossings.
, the village has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (5.68%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,862 people, 1,677 households, and 1,294 families residing in the village. The population density
was 2,929.6 people per square mile (1,130.9/km²). There were 1,734 housing units at an average density of 1,044.8 per square mile (403.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.91% White, 0.68% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 1.13% from other races
, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.
There were 1,677 households out of which 45.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the village the population was spread out with 31.7% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 104.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $66,469, and the median income for a family was $78,847. Males had a median income of $59,306 versus $28,643 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $28,870. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Cuba Township, Lake County, Illinois
Cuba Township is a township in Lake County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 15,749. Cuba Township was originally named Troy Township, but was renamed at about the time of the Spanish American War.-Geography:...
of Lake County
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
and the Algonquin Township
Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois
Algonquin Township is located in McHenry County, Illinois, with the township office in the city of Crystal Lake. The population was 98,481 as of the 2005 Census. It is the largest township by population in McHenry County...
of McHenry County
McHenry County, Illinois
McHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat is Woodstock. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,862 at the 2000 census.
History
Into the 1860s the Ojibwa Indians used Fox River Grove region for their winter home.In 1869 Frank Opatrny purchased 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) of land on the southern shore of the Fox River. The area gained a reputation with city dwellers as an ideal vacation spot. In 1900, Frank's son Eman Opatrny bought the land from his father converting the family land into a tourist destination the Fox River Picnic Grove. In 1902, Opatrny added a luxury hotel, named the Castle Pavilion, which featured windows from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
In 1905, the Norge Ski Club purchased land in Fox River Grove for a ski jump. The Norge Ski Club is the oldest, continuously open ski club in the United States. The Norge Ski Club is also home to the Windy City Balloon Port, whose hot air balloons float along the Fox River.
In 1919, the town of Fox River Grove incorporated. In the same year Louis Cernocky, Sr. established Louis's Place, a Bohemian restaurant and bar. In 1922, Cernocky built Louis' Crystal Ballroom behind the restaurant which was known to be frequented by many prominent Chicago residents.
In 1931 Theodore Bettendorff began work on what would come to be known as Castle Vianden which is located along what is now U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...
. By 1960, the castle, which was open to visitors, had eight towers a guard room, bugle tower, castle yard, enclosed sun porch, modern kitchen, garage, dungeon, and a wishing well. Bettendorff continued to add to his castle until his death in 1967. During the 1970s, the castle was rented out as a honeymoon retreat.
In 1942, the Picnic Grove land was purchased by Louis, Jr. and Clara Cernocky. Louis was a successful local businessman and Clara was the daughter of Eman Opatrny. The Picnic Grove remained a popular vacation destination for approximately 20 years before it fell into disarray.
After changing hands several times, in 1994 the Village of Fox River Grove obtained a grant to acquire 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) along the river and was named the Picnic Grove Park. The rest of the land was to be developed into what is now the Picnic Grove Subdivision. Remnants of the Fox River Picnic Grove can still be seen in the park.
Fox River Grove Level Crossing Accident
On October 25, 1995, a MetraMetra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
passenger train, running express towards Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, collided with a Cary-Grove High School school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
, killing seven high school students. The accident brought reform and increased safety standards nationwide of signalled rail crossings located very near street and highway intersections which are regulated by traffic signals, also known as interconnected crossings.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (5.68%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,862 people, 1,677 households, and 1,294 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,929.6 people per square mile (1,130.9/km²). There were 1,734 housing units at an average density of 1,044.8 per square mile (403.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.91% White, 0.68% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 1.13% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.
There were 1,677 households out of which 45.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the village the population was spread out with 31.7% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 104.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $66,469, and the median income for a family was $78,847. Males had a median income of $59,306 versus $28,643 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $28,870. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.