Fallen tree endangers Wauconda history

Saturday afternoon's storm took its toll on trees and power lines in Wauconda.

It also threatened the village's history.

A huge oak tree behind the Andrew C. Cook House, the first permanent non-log cabin home built in Wauconda Township, toppled over Saturday and landed on the historic home's back porch.

Fortunately the building itself, built in 1850 and now owned by the Wauconda Township Historical Society, appears to have suffered little damage.

Residents stopped by the house Sunday, which is adjacent to the public library, to survey the damage. Visitors included Cheryl Thiel, who said she was interested because of her family's historical roots.

"My grandfather was the iceman in Wauconda," she said. "This tree has been here for so long. It just caught my eye when I went by."

The timing of the oak tree's tumble is problematic for the historical society, which has been renovating the Cook House over the past several weeks in preparation for an open house next weekend.

Steve Pedersen, a member of the society's board of directors, said members have been busy repainting, restoring and redecorating the interior of the house.

"It kind of sets us back with this tree going down," Pedersen said Sunday afternoon.

The group will likely convene today to discuss their options, he said.

Because of the damage elsewhere in Wauconda Township, removing the tree from the home's destroyed back porch may not be a priority for work crews.

Wauconda police said the storm that swept through the village also caused tree damage in the Lake View Villa subdivision.

ComEd crews were called out after two power poles were canted sideways, with Bonner Road closed between Garland Road and Monroe Avenue.

The Cook House open house is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The event coincides with Wauconda Fest.