Building date: ca. 1852
Original use: Crystal Lake Academy private school
Corner structures:
Mortar application and content:
Types and uses of stones:
Types and choice of windows:
Structures with similar masonry details:
Masons who worked on building: Andrew Jackson Simons built
Unique features: Cobblestone foundation over rough fieldstone and brick structure.
Map views courtesy Google Maps. The left front of the Crystal Lake Academy/Gates House is visible behind the church building. Address is Google Earth confirmed; 42°14'07.72"N 88°19'51.81"W. Current owner of record, St. Mary's Episcopal Church per Tax Roll.
Town of Algonquin and McHenry County Maps.
The Crystal Lake Academy was a private school, attended by young people from the prominent early families of Crystal Lake. When the Free School Law became effective in 1855, the need for private schools diminished and academy failed financially.
The estate then became the private residence of Simon S. Gates, one of the pioneer settlers of Crystal Lake. The Gates name is probably most widely known in Crystal Lake because of William Day Gates, son of Simon S. Gates. William D. Gates started a small clay business in 1883 on the site of what was originally James McMillan's saw and grist mill. This clay business was located northeast of town on Route 31. It produced drain tiles, then later went on to produce a very fine architectural terra cotta and highly collectable Teco Pottery. The company was known as American Terra Cotta & Ceramic Co.
The brick house is typical of an Andrew Simons-built home, architectural style - Federalist/Greek Revival. The foundation is cobblestone over rough fieldstone (shown clearly in the 1993 photo). Crystal Lake Historical Society, Diana Kenney email 10/18/2020.
Additional details about Crystal Lake Academy including a colored photograph was published by Vera Marie Badertscher on her blog "Ancestors in Aprons. Robert Kosin email 9/3/2024.
Crystal Lake takes steps to protect 170-year-old historic building, The Academy Building was the first school built in Crystal Lake. Courtesy Michelle Meyer - mmeyer@shawmedia.com, Northwest Herald, November 16, 2024.
 Academy-Tarpley House ca 1993.jpg ¹ |  gates 1.jpg ¹ |
¹ Image courtesy Crystal Lake Historical Society, Diana Kenney email 10/18/2020.
