1835
Clear as crystal
Ziba S. Beardsley reached the shore in 1835 and said the waters were as clear as crystal. That gave the lake its name, and the first settlement became Crystal Ville, then Crystal Lake.
Living in Crystal Lake, Illinois
A lake city about 46 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop, with a historic downtown and Metra service to the city.
01 — At a Glance
A city named for its lake, with a historic downtown.
Crystal Lake traces its roots to two settlements, Crystal Lake and Nunda, both incorporated as villages in 1874 and later joined as one city. The 2020 census counted 40,269 residents, the most of any city in its county. The lake that gave the city its name sits southwest of downtown. ZIP codes are 60012, 60014 and 60039, and the land area is about 18.9 square miles.
02 — History
The story of Crystal Lake.
A settler once said the water here was as clear as crystal, and the name stuck. The city grew from two small villages and a railroad depot that came in on a flatcar. A few chapters most people never hear.
1836
The Crandalls arrive
Beman and Polly Crandall came from New York State in a covered wagon in February 1836 with six of their ten children. Their cabin stood near today’s Virginia and Van Buren streets.
1856
A depot by flatcar
The first train station was prefabricated in Chicago and shipped out on a flatcar. The settlement that grew around it was called Dearborn, then Nunda, which is downtown Crystal Lake today.
1874
Two villages
Crystal Lake and Nunda were both incorporated as villages in 1874. Over time they grew together into the single city of Crystal Lake.
1972–1986
Oscars from Crystal Lake
For about 15 years, the Academy Award statuettes were cast in Crystal Lake. The city is also where the tradition of anonymously giving gold coins to the Salvation Army began, in 1982.
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 runs the city’s elementary and middle schools, and Community High School District 155 runs the high schools. A part of the northeast side is served by Prairie Grove District 46.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · PreK–8
District 47
Runs all of the city’s public elementary and middle schools.
- Elementary and middle schools across the city
Public · Grades 9–12
Community High School District 155
Crystal Lake Central graduated its first class in 1924.
- Crystal Lake Central High School
- Crystal Lake South High School
- Prairie Ridge High School
Independent
Private schools
Several faith-based schools serve the city.
- St. Thomas the Apostle (PreK–8)
- Immanuel Lutheran School (PreK–8)
- Faith Lutheran High School
Higher Education
McHenry County College
The community college campus is in Crystal Lake.
- Associate degrees
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Crystal Lake.
The Crystal Lake Park District runs more than 40 parks, and summer means Main Beach. The downtown keeps people around after the train gets in.
Parks & Outdoors
Main Beach
The park district’s beach on the lake, open whenever the weather allows.
Lippold Park
The district’s largest park, at 305 acres.
Three Oaks Recreation Area
Two former quarry lakes on the south side, open since 2010 and now one of the most popular places in town.
Arts & Culture
Raue Center for the Arts
A 750-seat downtown theater for plays and concerts.
Dole Mansion
The landmark mansion on the lake, open for tours.
Crystal Lake Rowing Club
The club rows out of its boathouse in Kamijima Park during no-wake hours.
Commuter Access
Crystal Lake Station
The downtown stop on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
Pingree Road Station
A second UP-NW stop on the city’s south side.
Highways
U.S. 14, Illinois 176 and Illinois 31 all run through the city.