New book recounts history of Lake County through the ages

It is remarkable that just 13 years after the formation of Lake County, its citizens endeavored to document the county's history.

In 1852, Elijah Haines published the first historical account of Lake County at the request of a local newspaper editor. Haines wrote in his introduction that an old resident suggested that "the history of Lake County was well known to all its Citizens, therefore to write the matter out and lay it before them would be folly in the extreme."

Thank goodness Haines, and subsequent historians, did not take that advice to heart.

Haines was well suited to the task with his background in education, law and politics. As an influential member of the community, he was able to enlist the aid of many individuals in order to compile a "fair and concise account of Lake County."

Haines correctly asserted that a good many of the county's citizens, then numbering about 14,000, were not familiar with the details of the county's formation. On the contrary, Haines found that he often could not depend on the oldest inhabitants to recall important events, illustrating how quickly the details of our lives can be forgotten.

Haines went on to publish a second history in 1877. This book became the basis for many histories, including Charles Partridge's of 1902, notable for its information on pre-historic peoples and Native Americans; and John Halsey's of 1912.

Although individuals and historical societies published many books over the years, the next comprehensive county history was not written until 1989 by Virginia Mullery.

Local history books continue to be pivotal in the understanding and preservation of our heritage.

Recently, there has been a boon in history books published by area historical societies. Most are illustrated histories that utilize photographs and postcard views to make the stories of their communities even more vivid in the minds of longtime residents and newcomers alike.

The most recent comprehensive history of the county was published this fall by the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum. "Lake County, Illinois: An Illustrated History" is a 108-page, full-color book exploring the county's history from the Ice Age to the present day, relying on Haines' earlier work for inspiration. It is available by calling the museum at (847) 968-3400.

Many early county histories are available as reprints through the Higginson Book Company of Salem, Mass. Recently published local histories can be purchased through the appropriate historical society.