Take a Trip Down Rand Road in the 1920s

Welcome to Bringing Back the Past where each week we'll explore Lake Zurich's rich history and put your brain to work to try to identify photos from the past.

During the early 1920s Rand Road was paved from the county line through Lake Zurich. This brought many people to the resorts. Route 22 was still a dirt road when resorts started to spring up around the lake. These resorts provided cottages to rent, picnic, park, boats for rental, a place to swim and room-and-board in the main residence on the property.

Some of the old-time resorts were Watwason Lodge, Smulski's Grove, Renard Park, Nestlerest, Bluebird Acres, Sandy Point, Elm House, Maple Leaf Hotel where you could get board- and- room here for a week for about $9.

The Farman Hotel had 15 rooms and in the summer many jockeys and trainers stayed there from Arlington Park Race Track, Pleasant Acres also was a large resort that had 26 cottages. Whitney Farm operated by Joseph Whitney was one of the largest resorts, Lakeside Hotel and Shady Oaks had 21 rowboats available to rent. By 1927 Route 22 was paved. 

Take the Weekly History Mystery Quiz

Now, test your knowledge about Lake Zurich History and take the "History Mystery" quiz by viewing the photo to the right to see if you can identify what's in the photo. The answer will be provided on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

If you have a question or contribution about Lake Zurich history, post them here and the Ela Historical Society will provide the answer. If you have your own historic information or photos about Lake Zurich's history to share, please do.