Algonquin is
a village located in both Kane and McHenry County, Illinois.
A 2007 special census placed the Village's population
at 30,548, growing considerably from the 2000 Census
figure of 23,276. The village is known as "The
Gem of the Fox River Valley", since its downtown
is nestled in the heart of Illinois' Fox River Valley.
Established in 1890 and long known as a small river
community, the village is currently making the transition
into a major regional hub, as it has experienced considerable
suburban growth over the past 15 years.
Long before Europeans settled
in Algonquin, the Potawatomi Native Americans originally
inhabited the land. But by 1834, the first settler of
Algonquin, Samuel Gillilan, came to the area from Virginia.
Settlers Dr. Cornish, Dr. Plumleigh, Eli Henderson,
Alex Dawson, and William Jackson arrived shortly thereafter.
There was some dispute regarding the original name of
Algonquin, and numerous other names were suggested including
Denny's Ferry, Cornish Ferry, Cornishville, and Osceola.
But Samuel Edwards suggested the name Algonquin and
on December 23, 1847, the name Algonquin became official.
The first signs of economic growth
occurred in 1855 when the town saw the construction
of the railroad, which enabled farmers in the neighboring
area to have other means of getting their products to
the markets in Chicago.
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