Images: Icons of Round Lake
A picturesque spherical body of water not only serves as Round Lake's namesake but was its early lifeblood.
After the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad was extended into western Lake County, Armour and Company decided in 1901 to build a massive ice storage house in the area, said at one time to be the world's largest. The plant, according to village officials, made hundreds of thousands of pounds of ice each winter and was a major source of jobs for area residents. A village was incorporated several years later, with its first village board meeting held in 1909.
After World War II, droves of Chicago residents headed to the suburbs, looking to build affordable homes. Many settled along Round Lake, citing its getaway feel but convenient location along a train line.
Today, the village has about 18,500 residents and is expected to reach more than 20,000 by 2020, officials estimate.
Taking a trip to Round Lake today, you'll find a small downtown with a number of restaurants and bars.
10th District Congressman Bob Dold has an office in town, and the village's children attend schools in four different districts - Round Lake School District 116, Grayslake Community High School District 127, Mundelein High School District 120 and Grant Township High School District 124.
Armour's ice house was destroyed in a 1917 fire, but a guesthouse once used as a retreat for women employees remains. It is now used as a country club with focus on family reading time, games and activities.
The lake serves as a beautiful backyard for homeowners and provides them with swimming, boating and fishing in warmer months. Round Lake residents can embrace the outdoors with ease - hiking or biking or cross-country skiing is available at Nippersink Forest Preserve. The preserve boasts woodlands, wetlands and marshes that serve as a wildlife habitat.
Be sure to look for a new "Icons of ..." town gallery every Sunday at dailyherald.com/galleries and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. On our social media sites, share your favorite Round Lake photos with us by using #shareyoursuburb. Take a look around and let us know which icons are special to you. Which ones stir a memory for you? Where do you love to go in town?