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Village citizens took pride in honoring their town's colorful past
through a synopsis of historical events.
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Cary's original settlers were the Gillian family, who built a
dwelling in 1834 along the land known today as Cary Algonquin Road. They homesteaded in a
territory named after General McHenry, who had fought victoriously in the Black Hawk War.
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After wars with the Indians ceased, tribes living along the Fox
River were forced out of the land they once claimed as their own. This allowed new
government lands to open, inviting farmers like Cary's namesake William D. Cary. William
Cary built his red-brick house in 1845 on land the government sold for $1.25 per acre.
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There were 107 Village voters in 1893 who elected to incorporate
the Village of Cary by an 82 to 15 count on January 9.
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Later, in the 1920's, numerous resort cottages were built along
the Fox River that provided a wholesome retreat which many families visited until the
early 1940's.
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Because the Village folk had acquired a reputation of being
self-reliant and affluent, while maintaining a small town atmosphere, a wealthy
businessman by the name of John D. Hertz chose to live in Cary.
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Today Hertz Rent-A-Car is still a modern day legacy of one of the
many prosperous business ventures in which Hertz engaged. Hertz was also the co-owner of
Arlington park Race Track and his interest in breeding race horses produced two Kentucky
Derby winners, Reigh Count in 1928 and Count Fleet in 1943.
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Eventually the Hertz Farm was sold in 1943 to Otto Schnering and
Leona Farms. Schnering named his new acquisition the Curtiss Farms, after the maiden name
of his mother who was famous because of her Baby Ruth and Butterfinger candy bars.
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The Curtiss Farms remained successful breeding farms until the
1960's and eventually became the modern developments known as Brigadoon and Trout Valley.
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Another world-wide attraction belonging to Cary was its Northwood
Mink Farms, famous for having the largest and best minks of its kind until owner Otto
Grosse died and the business was sold to a subsidiary of General Host. National Northwood,
Inc. was the largest mink ranch in the western world. In 1991, due to the recession and
over production costs were lower ... at which time they sold the Cary property. The
buildings have been torn down making way for future development as yet to be determined.
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Today the Village of Cary is still attracting newcomers to its
suburban living with a small town atmosphere. A special census completed in 1993 indicates
the village population to be 14,934. Cary continues to boast of being a caring community
that stives to meet the needs of its citizens by providing excellent services and
involving its residents in the process.
Cary-Grove Historical Society
