164 HAWLEY STREET P.O. BOX 185 4- GRAYSLAKE. …grayslakehistory.org/wp-content/uploads/Sep-2012.pdf164 HAWLEY STREET P.O. BOX 185 4- GRAYSLAKE. HZJNQIS 60030-01S5 4> 847-223-7663

^ ^ 164 HAWLEY S T R E E T P.O. BOX 185 4- GRAYSLAKE. HZJNQIS 60030-01S5 4> 847-223-7663

UPDATE S E P T E M B E R 2012

Vmage Mnxncipal Hisfaity Museum Grayslalse Historical Sodety 164 Hawiey Street 164 Hawley Siieet Graysiake, Iliinois. phone: 847-223-7663 Hcraxs: Wednesday - Satnrday 12:00 to 4H» www.giaysiakehistory.org Toms by appoaniment e-maiL ChaRenehan@aoLcoin

REVIEWING Do you know that there are over twenty museums in Lake County? The

Graysiake Historical Society meets quarterly wi th them. On January 25 the group met in the Graysiake Heritage Center. Heri tage Center Executive Director Dave Oberg conducted a mini-workshop on label making and Museum Archivist-Curator Charlotte Renehan gave a detailed tour of the M u s e u m galleries, Annex and Archives. The Museum exhibit "Cookies, Camping and Communi ty : The Girl Scout Story" opened on January 28. The exhibit was dedicated to Cather ine Trowbridge, who brought the Girl Scout program to Graysiake in 1939. Al though she and her family left the area in the 1950s, her influence is still felt today as Graysiake Girl Scouts continue to be active. This exhibit has brought scout t roops f rom other communit ies to Graysiake.

The Socie ty 's spr ing schedu le of p rograms star ted with Dan Moran 's presentation about local newspapers on February 9. The Society's Reminisce program on February 11 highlighed Lakeview School and brought together former students and teachers. Pictures and stories were shared. A school group had a history lesson in the Graysiake cemetery on February 15. On February 18 Civil War Surgeon General Will iam Hammond gave the Heritage Center audience an understanding of his role in the War.

The Society's annual meeting was held March 7. At this t ime Society welcomed new board member Nancy Reed. Many Grayslakers remember Nancy's father Ernie, as he was our postmaster for numerous years. Other board members are Chris Brenner, Kristin Pearson and Terry Norton. The Society officers, who have one more year to serve, are President Charlotte Renehan, Vice-President Lori Baumgartner, Secretary Kathi Starzec and Treasurer Connie Dunbar. Eighty-four individuals or groups were recognized at the meeting for volunteering during the year 2011 . Van Hook gave a super program on his mother's family, the Van Zandts. Heritage Center Executive Director Dave Oberg attended Museum Day in Springfield on March 22. He met with state officials and others to promote our Museum and to learn what is

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happening throughout the state. On March 3 1 the Heritage Center engaged Titantic survivor Violet Jessop to hear her traumatic exper ience.

Program chair Terry Norton introduced John Goshgarian, who told about his father, the doctor, at the April 11 meeting of t h e Society. Many memories were shared about the doctor who graciously contributed t ime to the community as well as his medical talent. The second Reminisce session of the year was held on April 14. Some great stories were added to the Society's archives. One of them is in this issue of the Update. Four hundred Graysiake Middle School students heard presentations by the Heritage Center Staff. Heritage Center Execut ive Director Oberg gave his "Brothers War" presentation. Museum Archivist-Curator Charlotte Renehan presented a visual first person history of Graysiake. The Heri tage Center and Historical Society were represented at the April 25 gathering of the Lake County Historical Alliance held at Waukegan. On April 18 in Peoria, the Graysiake Historical Society received an award from the Illinois State Historical Society for its Reminisce programs.

At the May 9 program of the Society, Frank Sullivan Jr. told about the family's company which was on Pine Street in Graysiake and produced laminated products. Terry Norton drove Wilbur, the fire engine, in Grayslake's Memorial Day Parade. "Behind the Brush", an exhibit featuring three Graysiake artists, was installed in the Upper Gallery. The display features the work of Charles O. Longabaugh (1884-1944), Wil ladene Nicholas (1910-2007) and Jean Korell.This display was created by Executive Director Dave Oberg, Charlotte Renehan, Connie Dunbar and Kathi Starzec.

The July meeting of the Lake County Historical Alliance was held at the Deerfield Historic Village. The topic was hands-on so our Museum staff told about the smell, sight and touch stations which engage our museum visitors. Members of the Society Board toured the Lake Geneva History Museum. Their museum has a wonderful street and interior house exhibit.

The Society continues to have volunteers at the Museum during downtown Graysiake events, such as pancake breakfasts and the Arts Festival.

Between January 1 and July 31 over twenty groups toured the Museum. There were school, scout, and veterans groups from Graysiake and nearby communit ies. The docents for these tours were Executive Director Dave Oberg, plus volunteers Nancy Reed, Kristin Pearson, Joyce Norton, Terry Norton and Charlotte Renehan

PREVIEWING Mark your calendars on the following dates for these coming events.

Wednesday , S e p t e m b e r 12 - Graysiake Historical Society program, 7:30 PM, Heritage Center Communi ty Room, Refreshments, Free. Society member John Baumgartner, will present "Measuring Avon Township". John will explain how the area was surveyed. The audience will learn about sections, chains, rods and other map related terms. Satu rdays , S e p t e m b e r 15 & 22 - Museum - 12:00 to 4:00 PM, Remember the Old Dime Store. It is Graysiake High School homecoming t ime and t ime to remember the past. Come to the Museum to get penny candy. Five piece limit. Reunion classes may make appointments for tours at other t imes. Sunday, S e p t e m b e r 30 - Graysiake Historical Society Living History Tour of the Graysiake Cemetery, South Lake Street, 1:30 PM & 2:30 PM, Donations appreciated. This year's event will feature costumed reactors portraying Elijah Haines, Maria Forvor,

Lawrence Forvor, Corenia Kapple, Jane Slusser, Nancy Whitney Smith, Zebulon Freeman, Will iam Lovejoy and Doddridge Byrant. Attendees will learn about Hainesville, the old plank road, the War of 1812 and more. Strang Funeral Chapel is sponsor. Wednesday , O c t o b e r 10 - Graysiake Historical Society program, 7:30 PM, Heritage Center Communi ty Room, Refreshments, Free. Society member and Village trustee Shawn Vogel will tell about the Baler Family. Shawn's great-grandfather was John Baier, who had a farm on rural Al leghany Road. One of Shawn's relatives once owned the Graysiake Hotel. Shawn's family history includes Graysiake history. Saturday, Oc tober 13 - Museum exhibit "All Aboard, A History of Railroads in Graysiake" opens, 10:00 - 4:00. This exhibit wil l feature a working model train. Unique items from local collectors will be on display. A t ime line will relate railroad history to Graysiake history. Saturday, Oc tobe r 27 - Museum Courtyard - Downtown Graysiake Trick or Treat, 11:00 AM - 1 : 0 0 PM, Graysiake Historical Society will pass out candy. Saturday, N o v e m b e r 10 - Graysiake Heri tage Center program, 2:00 PM, Community Room, "Silver Memories", a nostalgic program about the California Zephyr created by Jim Popson and Mike Schaefer. The program explores the historic Chicago to California train with vintage images and music. Wednesday , N o v e m b e r 14 - Graysiake Historical Society program, 7:30 PM, Heritage Center Community Room, Refreshments, Free. Topic: Student Projects. Each year students f rom local high schools participate in the Metro History Fair. Cory Pearson was one of those students. His topic for 2012 was Prohibilt ion. He will tell Grayslake's connection to prohibition. Other student projects will also be presented. Saturday, N o v e m b e r 17 - Graysiake Historical Society program - 1 0 : 0 0 A M , Reminisce Topic: Holiday Customs & Celebrations, Refreshments, Free. The public is invited to sit, enjoy coffee and recall how holidays were celebrated in Graysiake and in their homes. Sunday, December 9 - Graysiake Historical Society and Museum Holiday Open House, 2.00 PM - 4:00 PM, Take a picture with Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus in the Society's vintage sleigh. Children's crafts. Music, Refreshments, Free. Saturday, January 12 - Graysiake Heritage Center Program, 2:00 PM, Community Room, "Trains of Graysiake and Lake County; A Brief History", Graysiake Historical Society Board Member and railroad buff Terry Norton will give a delightful commentary while showing images from his vast personal collection of train pictures.

DONATIONS The Graysiake Historical Society wished to thank the following peole for adding

to its collections between January 1, 2012 and July 3 1 , 2012. Shirley Brando - nine color snapshots of 2000 Summer Days parade; Donna McGreal - Jubilee bell pin; Estate of Ursula Hildebrandt - loom shuttle, four Hildebrandt ink blotters; Strang Funeral Chapel - 1950 and 1952 G.C.H.S. yearbook, 1933 Graysiake calendar; Marie Frandsen - Woman's Club cookbook; Harriet White - Lake County plat book. Grays Lake souvenir plate, collection of Lake County Fair pins, two Graysiake Gelatin containers, Graysiake 75th and 100th anniversary plates, numerous Lake County Fair premium books, crocheted baby cap. Lake County Fair anniversary plastic bag; Lake County Fair green t-shirt and cap, Lake County Fair mug and glass container; Darlene Dorfler - Pat's Pizza

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menu and coupons; Charlene Rockenbach - Wi l ladene Nicholas biography, poem and five poem books, wood church f rom Methodist Church, Charlotte Renehan - letter head stationery from Graysiake Communi ty Consol idated School District 46; Georgiann McVicker - G.C.H.S. building plans; Cynthia Lee - Girl Scout, G.A.A., Cooperative Service, band and Pep Club pins; Kitty Flary - 1950 G.L Grade School basketball team photo; Phil Wells - Diamond Jubi lee t ie; John Smiskol - five G.L. Grade School class photos, five G.L.Grade School demolit ion snapshots, thirty-two snapshots of Graysiake events, people and places, two Graysiake postcards; Lori Heywood - Diamond Jubilee tie, six Graysiake Bowl bowling cards, Graysiake pennant. Hook and Co. notepad; Jeff Wells - Graysiake Rams sports bag; Mary Jane Lucas - G.C.H.S. Vocational Building Trades Open House brochure, 1956 G.L. Chamber survey, Graysiake centennial postcards, envelopes, twelve issues of the Graysiake Times, POW-MIA buttons, G.L. Park District letters, newspaper cl ippings; Marion Grinnell - Lake County Farm Bureau thermometer. Lake Villa history book, G.L. Lions Club mug and buttons. Lake County Fair Association souvenir, three Lake County Farm Bureau souvenirs, Hook Lumber Co. carpenter's pencil, 1950 G.C.H.S. class ring, Rob McClasky - Jennie Forvor Neville's 1891 wedding dress, Neville scrapbook, newpaper clippings; Jane Tiffany-Hansen -State Bank barrel bank, Graysiake Garage thermometer ; John Baier - three photos of Graysiake Hotel and Angley owners ; Graysiake Central High School - 2012 high school yearbook; Linda C. Klees - Inland Lakes ash tray; Donna Obrecht & Pat Barker - book "Sauganash", Evie Turner's oral history and dime store notes; Gene Woods - Cub Scout uni form and pine wood derby car; Linda Fassbinder - G.C.H.S. 1996 yearbook; Quin O'Brien - two issues of Graysiake Times; Joe Peterson - eight Battershall f ramed pictures, Battershall mug, G.L. Grade School picture, newspaper clippings.

The Graysiake Historical Society's mission includes collecting, preserving, education and displaying. These goals could not be achieved without monetary help. This help comes in a variety of ways. Since January 1 the following monetary donations were recorded. Those people who sent a donat ion with their annual membership dues were Lois Brondy, Doug & Bonnie Rockenbach, Roy & Sue Kellogg, Kathleen Flary, Claudia Herring, Bob Barton, Jack Wightman, Dick & Nancy Johannsen, Charlene Rockenbach, John & Elizabeth McDonald, Evelyn Heser, Helen Thielen, Frank & Darlene Dorfler, Jack & Sharon Clooney, Nancy Rinker, Leslie & Jim Kaiser, Rhett Taylor, Bill & Katy Hall, Janet Landrum Tr ieschmann, Cheena Wade, Bob Anderson, Barbara Brand, Fred Shaefer.

Many people gave money in memory of a Society member or fr iend. They include Elaine J . MacDonald, Kathleen Perkins, Norman & Trudy Housley, Bud & Pat Lawrence, George & Doris Lawrence, Bob Lawrence & Karen Sheren, Bette Brya, Dan & Diane Hansen, David & Sonali Oberg, Kathi Starzec, Marvin & Clara Bohmann, Ray & Shirley Ann Russell, Elizabeth Best, John & Lori Baumgartner, Jerry & Trudy Hamil, Kevin Chick & Lori Guenther, Louis & Karen Thoms, Edwin Hall, Helen & Loretta Rumsa, Burton & Jeanne Hurley, Cynthia Lee, Karen L. Miller, Clarence Collins, Christopher Brenner, Richard Brenton, Nancy Pease, Charlotte Renehan, Connie Dunbar, Karen & Mary Hook, Karl Moiek, Doris Craig, Ken & Pat Yopp, Village Church of Gurnee, Toni & Matt Shinners, Del Raye Bonfanti .

Contributions for use of the community room are shared with the Village of Graysiake to offset maintenance costs. Communi ty room users included State Farm

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Northern Lake Agency Field Office and Dr. John Bouma Premier Chiropractic. Donations received for tours came f rom Brownie Troop 41740, Girl Scouts GCHWI Troop 4 0 5 1 , Girl Scouts Greater Chicago NW Ind. #40830.

The museum donat ion jar, with its anonymous donors, is shared with the Vil lage. Connie Dunbar and Nancy Reed gave money to the Society for a specific project.

The Society receives in-kind donat ions. Between January 1 and July 3 1 , they have been received f rom Joyce & Terry Norton, Patty & Ken Yopp, Charlotte Renehan, Connie Dunbar, Joanne Lawrence, Charlene Rockenbach, Lori Baumgartner, Kathi Starzec and Kristin Pearson.

The Graysiake Historical Society thanks all for their generous support.

A M E M O R Y The hands of Richard Cole 's clock stuck at 10:28. It is the only clock of the

several he owned, c leaned and t inkered with that has never been repaired. The clock t icked its final seconds on Tuesday evening, October 10th, 1978. I was a senior at Graysiake Communi ty High School that year and it was the week of Homecoming. We lived at 160 Park Place in a home that was owned by Ruth Pester.

Even though I had gone to bed about twenty minutes earlier and was half asleep, I still have a memory of the explosion, and at that t ime I thought I was dreaming. I remember the explosion as a sensat ion. It was the sensat ion of what a muffled, underwater explosion might feel and sound like. As I slowly woke up and became aware of my surroundings, I remember the feel ing of static electricity all around me. It was a very confusing moment to say the least and I remember pushing some light debris off of me. It was pitch black. Instinctively, I called for my Dad, once, twice and then again. I remember being annoyed that he wasn' t answer ing me and I tried to explain, practically shout ing, "Something has happened in my room!"

Though my dad never responded, my sister Cynth ia d id. She was a year older than I and her room was directly above mine, accessible only v ia a staircase in my room. As my eyes accustomed to the dark, I could make out a f igure. Cynthia was nowhere near the staircase where I thought she would be, instead emerging from a hole in my ceil ing, half sliding down a mound of debris into my room. I stared in amazement asking, "What are you coming down on?" Her reply was very frantic, "I don't know but we have to get out of here!" and then she was gone I clearly remember being f rozen in place, just staring up at the hole in the cei l ing, trying to piece it all together. Her presence, albeit brief, had quite a calming effect on me. I had been standing on my bed and now carefully stepped down to fol low after her. The things that I was seeing were undelievable and made no sense to me. I remember call ing quest ions to her as I picked my way through the house. "Why is the piano on its back?" "Why can I see the back of the stove?" "Why am I stepping over the Grandfather c lock?" "Why are the f loors slanted?" Cynthia was not interested in answer ing any quest ions. She was on a mission to get out of the house. I f inally caught up with her in the entry way by our front door. She was struggling with the door which proved to be j a m m e d shut. A little entry way window to our left and facing the street seemed to be a good possibility for escape. Some of the glass was already broken so we pushed out the remaining pieces. Cynthia cl imbed up first and after perching momentari ly, jumped to the ground. As I took my turn cl imbing through the w indow I remember seeing a very stunned Edgar Harris

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looking on. He was our next door neighbor. I surveyed the scene below and decided that jumping into the dark shrubs and broken glass below was not a good idea. Besides, Mark Francis (Class of 1977 who was a neighborhood playmate f rom our grade school years), had just arrived on the scene with a fr iend. One of them reached up to the window and took me to the safety of Edgar 's front yard.

By now, quite a crowd was starting to gather and within the hour it would spill over into the park across the street. Firemen were on the scene within moments and asked us in which part of the house our parents were most likely to be. Cynth ia and I asked what t ime it was and guessed that they most likely would be watching television in the one room addit ion off the back of the house. A small fire had broken out in that area so w e were quite concerned. I remember my classmates Jim Jorgenson and Gene Woods as well as neighbor Rita Stang being a great source of comfort as we waited for our parents to be found. After what seemed like an eternity, the four of us were reunited near the ambulance. We were so relieved to realize that we had all survived with just minor injuries, left only to ponder the fate of our 9 year old black and white cat named Mouse.

Kind neighbors, Gwen and Jack Hill (Junior Avenue), Rita, and others fol lowed us to the hospital and waited while our minor injuries were tended to. My Mom and Dad each had cuts that required stitches. Cynthia had cuts and scratches on her feet, no doubt as a result f rom her jump f rom the window. I had 2nd degree burns on areas that had not been protected by the bed sheets, primarily on my left hand and wrist as well as the back of my neck. We all had singed eyebrows and hair.

Seeing the destruction i l luminated in the headlights of our neighbor's car as we returned that evening, was unbelievable. If the exterior was this bad when w e were sure that the interior would yield little in the way of salvageable items. Fortunately, we were wrong. Though my dad would use his wood working skills to repair furniture for months, (actually years) to come, many things were recovered intact, some a little worse for wear than others. A f i reman even pulled our cat. Mouse, to safety that next day He was cowering under debris in what had been my bedroom. He was very fr ightened but seemed just fine with only s inged whiskers and fur that was also singed and rough to the touch.

Our neighbor, Edgar Harris, had kindly offered us the use of his two guest rooms. We stayed there for a few days as we sorted through the debris. Within the first week we received a phone call f rom Roy Loftus. He and his wife lived at the end of Augusta , just off of Harvey St. As they did every year about that t ime, they were making plans for their six month stay in Florida. The couple generously offered us their home for the six months during which they would be gone. It was such a blessing.

In the days to come we would learn that a safety valve on the hot water heater had failed to close, al lowing gas to pour into the basement. Eventually this gas came into contact with the pilot light of the furnace, sett ing off a massive explosion that could be heard in the neighboring communi t ies of Round Lake, Lake Villa and even parts of Libertyville.

To this day, when I look at the pictures taken over thirty years ago, I am amazed and thankful that we all survived. My next thought is a lways of the outpouring that the community showed us. So many people offered what ever they could to see us through. Our grati tude goes out to the UP Church who provided fall Harvest meals for

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us, to our neighbor Florence Hook, who invited us over daily that first week, to enjoy her homemade meals, to Rita Stang, who called the Rescue Squad and stayed with us at the hospital, to John Hook, who paid our dry c leaning bill for the mounds of clothes that smelled smoky, to Mrs. Erbach who lived on the corner of Junior and Slusser. She recovered a sweater and took it home to hand wash it for us, to Mrs. Brenner on Seymour who made lunches of ham sandwiches and apples for the fr iends and family that helped us sort through possessions a n d debris, to my employers at that time. Sonny and Dawn Rathunde who gave us f istfuls of coupons to Tastee-Freez, to Angi Frank (Class of 1978) who loaned us c lothes while our own clothing was at first irretrievable and then later being laundered, to the Graysiake Student Counci l , who took up a collection and donated money to our family, to Ed and Bill Hall who gave us a month's worth of free groceries f rom Parkway Foods, to the elderly man who lived on Park Avenue. He refused to give us his n a m e but he gave my Dad twenty dollars so that we could buy toothbrushes and other necessit ies the next day. I know there are many others who I have failed to ment ion, who gave us their t ime, donations or emotional support. All these years later, we have not forgotten you and it is difficult to write of your kindness withour feeling the tears well up.

I somet imes drive through the old neighborhood and almost always turn down Park Place. I spent 17 years here and though the house is gone and a new one is built in its place, I take delight in noticing what is the same; like the Sycamore trees in the front yard, the garage and the little alley next to it, the curb and driveway, and the sidewalk where I learned to ride a bike. I can almost hear the voices of the neighborhood kids as we played Kick the C a n and Ghost in the Graveyard. It was a wonderful home, a charming neighborhood a n d an incredible community. The people of Graysiake showed us the true meaning of the word 'community ' over 30 years ago. We will always be grateful and we will never forget you !

Submitted by Evelyn Cole Kaht Family update: Richard Cole passed away in 2004, 2 weeks f rom his 96th birthday. Currently, Helen Cole resides in Graysiake; Cynth ia Cole in McHenry and Evelyn Cole Kaht in Spring Grove with her husband and f ive children.

A PAGE F R O M THE PAST The Waukegan News-Sun: Wednesday, May 14, 1947

Graysiake Fire Chief, 80, Oldest In State; Still Good Paperhanger Eighty-year-old A.A. McMil len, Illinois' oldest fire chief~in point of service and

probably age too~stii l does a good day's work as a paper hanger, answers all fire calls and can remember within a dollar how much money the Graysiake Volunteer Fire department took in at its first annual dance 46 years ago.

McMillen was re-elected chief of the Graysiake department recently as he began in 49th year of service with the department he helped organize in 1899, and his 43rd year as chief.

This month also marked his 80th birthday, and for the occassion, he had gold badges made for each of the department 's 25 members.

Of the 51 members whose names appear in the roster dated Dec. 26, 1900, almost two-thirds are dead. Some of those still alive have moved away from Graysiake.

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McMillen isn't leaving; it is the town he was born in and the place he learned his trade of paper hanging 63 years ago.

"You want the oldest fire chief?" he asked when the photographer came out to take his picture. "Better go look for him, then. But I can tell you th is - I 'm probably the oldest paper hanger."

The Illinois Firemen's Association has certif ied, though, that McMillen is the state's oldest fire chief.

McMillen's father, as a 14-year-old boy, came out to Graysiake f rom Waukegan in the 1850s, when a cholera epidemic killed his parents. McMillen's father was a cousin to Wild Bill Hickok, and there is still a resemblance, in the nose and in the way the mustache hangs, between McMil len and pictures of the famous Kansas marshall.

After the Civil War, McMillen's father took up a veteran's claim in Kansas. When McMillen was six, the family came back to Illinois in a covered wagon. McMillen remembers the family receiving news of Hickok's murder f rom Jack McCall in 1876, but can't recollect what his parents said.

It seems to be one of the few things McMil len doesn't remember. He well recalls the great Wilbur lumber yard fire in Graysiake in 1899, when he and another man stood atop a building and poured down water handed up by a bucket brigade that had "a man on every rung of that ladder." He also remembers the name of the man who died in the f i re-Freder ick Potter, who went back into the burning building office to retrieve the company books. It was the town's worst f ire and the one that led to organizing the volunteer fire department.

There were two hand pumpers then. G.M. Fitch, now dead, was chief. McMillen was a hook and ladder foreman. In 1901 , McMil len was elected chief for the third t ime. The next three years there were other chiefs, and then in 1905, McMillen was elected chief again, and has been re-elected every year since then.

The first annual dance was held in 1901 . McMil len recalling it said the department took in $85. Secretary Arthur Horenberger 's history shows the amount was $84. In that year a fire bell was put in the vil lage hall and it was decided "that the first man at the bell should ring it as long and as fast as he could."

In 1905, the village bought a second-hand gasoline pumper from Waukegan, A.E. Rich, now second in point of seniority, had joined the department by then. The old gasoline fire engine was sold for junk in 1924, but one of the two original hand pumpers is still around the f irehouse, sitting out in back unused but in good shape.

The hand pumper was hauled out for a picture and McMil len, looking at it said it reminded him of "all the t imes w e dragged that thing through the mud."

Equipment now is all modern and includes a 1,000 gallon capacity water truck and two pumpers. As chief, McMil len still rides the trucks or his own car to fires, but more often stays at the village hall to direct the dispatching of men.

He is a carpenter and painter as well a paper hanger, and many t imes, he said, "I've been caught up on a ladder when the fire whistle blew."

McMillen whose wife, the former Minnie Washburn, was killed in an automobile accident near Libertyville on their 55th wedding anniversary Dec. 14, 1945, lives with his son, Lloyd McMil len, in a house at 132 Westerfield Place that he built himself.

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Although he served as Graysiake mayor and vil lage marshall for 12 years before that, McMillen seems at heart to be a true volunteer f ireman--that is, he's practically never without a money-raising ticket of some kind.

The department earns much of its money this way, and if you want to buy a t icket -wel l , any member of the Graysiake f i re department will sell you one. Cecil Caldwell is committee chairman, for the annual carnival, July 18 to 20. Editor's note: The Graysiake Historical Society has one of two original hand pumpers. Visitors to the Museum Annex may see it.

WITH SYMPATHY On June 17, 2012 the Graysiake Historical Society and the community of

Graysiake lost a very dear fr iend. Richard Lawrence was a charter member and past president of the Society. He was a faithful volunteer not only of the Society but for the United Protestant Church, Graysiake Lions Club and other groups as well . He had a cheerful dispositon as he helped customers at the Graysiake Feed Store. He is survived by his wife Joanne, two children with spouses and two granddaughters plua siblings. The family requested memorials to the Graysiake Historical Society and the United Protestant Church.

A R C H I V E S V O L U N T E E R On July 1, the Society lost a faithful archives volunteer. Most of you never met

her but she came in faithfully every Thursday morning for several years. Then on Thursday afternoon she went to the Lake Forest Museum to volunteer. Volunteer Laurietta Parsh left Lake County to be closer to her family in California. The many organizations for which she volunteered will miss her. Who will take her place?

DO Y O U K N O W THAT... William M. Gray came from Al legany County, New York. The Potawatomi once roamed the area. Grays Lake covers 79 acres. There was a '1ouch and go" airfield on Atkinson Road. Graysiake High School 's first football field was made of sod f rom farmers ' fields. The Gelatin Company came to Graysiake in 1922. Graysiake had an opera house and a bowling alley. Graysiake Central High School is on the former Harvey Farm. Men from the area served in the 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. The west wing of the Graysiake Heritage Center was once a f rame one-room school house. Nestles had a factory in Graysiake. The Graysiake Park District purchased Jones Island in 1965. Grays Lake was incorporated in 1895. Graysiake North High School opened in 2004. The population of Graysiake in 1990 was 7,800. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad came in 1899.

These and other facts are on the new Graysiake pillars, which are at four entrances of the Village Center. Historical information was obtained f rom the archives of the Graysiake Historical Society.

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Soo Line train station in downtown Grays Lal<e, circa 1915.

"All Aboard : The History of Railroads in Graysiake" will open in the temporary gallery on Saturday, October 13.

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