Home » Illinois » Crystal Lake

James W. Loewen (1942-2021)

We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began.

Crystal Lake

Illinois

Basic Information

Type of Place
Independent City or Town
Metro Area
N. Chicago
Politics c. 1860?
Unions, Organized Labor?

Sundown Town Status

Sundown Town in the Past?
Possible
Was there an ordinance?
Don't Know
Sign?
Don’t Know
Year of Greatest Interest
0
Still Sundown?
Surely Not

Census Information

The available census data from 1860 to the present
Total White Black Asian Native Hispanic Other BHshld
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950 4832 1
1960
1970 14541 1
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020

Method of Exclusion

Main Ethnic Group(s)

Group(s) Excluded

Comments

Pictures in the local newspaper showed KKK dressed attendants at a funeral. There were local politicans who were known to be members as well.

Deeds to homes in Country Club Addition stipulated, “The ownership and occupancy of lots and buildings in these additions are forever restricted to members of the pure white race. No negro, mulatto, Chinese, Japanese, or person of any race, or mixture of races, other than a person of pure white race shall acquire title to any lot or building in these additions or acquire the right to occupy any such lot or building …”

Someone who lived in crystal lake in the 60’s and 70’s said via email that “the sign at the entrance to Lakewood, a posh village semi-independent of Crystal Lake, said “Welcome to Lakewood” and “Gentiles Only”. email; 2011

2000 pop. 38,000; 212 black