Old rescue building becoming the new Lake Villa Historical Society

The Lake Villa Historical Society is slowly cleaning up their items in preparation to move into a much more historical site on Lake Street, officials confirmed.

Sue Crib, the society’s president, said the upstart group established in 2003 will take over the old Lake Villa Rescue Squad building at 212 Lake Ave., in the downtown area.

Crib said the “new” digs will be available for occupancy on Nov. 1, though construction renovations will be needed after they move in.

“The building needs new roofing in the back and a new washroom, but it’s really a nice space for us,” she said. “There are three bays available for some historical displays, and some space in the front for people to come in and help out.”

Crib said the building was built in 1965 and designed to house the rescue squad ambulances.

It became too small for the rescue squad so it was used as storage for a while before it was donated to the historical society.

She said the historical society has been forced to travel around the village since its inception. They started working out of a file cabinet at the Lake Villa village hall, before raising enough money to move into the storefront shared with the village on Cedar Drive.

But, that storefront is short on room for storage of historical documents and other items donated to the society.

“We are sharing the backroom of the storefront with the village, and we are starting to really encroach on their space,” Crib said. “So, this facility is coming at a really great time. It’s wonderful for our organization.”

The final transfer of property is expected to take place Nov. 1, and Crib said the historical society plans to hold a special “flashy ceremony of some sorts.”

“We’d also like to paint some murals or something on the outside of the building,” she said. “It really looks like a garage now, so were looking for ways to make it look more appealing.”