Building date: ca. 1857, destroyed by fire 1927
Original use:Residence
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Map views courtesy Google Maps. Street level view using the approximate location determined with the Google Earth Pro app; 42°14'27.41"N 88°16'58.96"W.
Town of Algonquin and McHenry County Maps.
This cobblestone house was built in Algonquin Township for Charles C. Pingry and his family. Algonquin map excerpt shown below is from the 1872 McHenry County Atlas. Pingry's property is highlighted.
The 1922 History of McHenry County has the following statement, which verifies its cobblestone construction: "When Pingry and his bride settled on their farm, their first house was built of logs, but later they erected one of cobblestones, secured principally from the shore of Lake Michigan, and it stands and is a landmark for the surrounding country. This remarkable house is in a magnificent state of preservation and is occupied by John Pingry (son)." This statement is repeated in 1927 when the house was destroyed by fire.
Charles C. Pingry was born September 7, 1818 in Danbury, NH, and died at Crystal Lake, IL April 3, 1904. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Erie County, NY before coming to McHenry County, IL. Charles C. Pingry married Eunice Johnson on April 28, 1845. In 1889, having raised their family, Charles & Eunice moved to town, leaving the farm to their son John. The Pingry's operated a hotel in town, known as The Pingry Hotel.
The Pingry's cobblestone house was destroyed by fire in April, 1927. The origin of the fire is unknown. A newspaper article (Crystal Lake Herald, April 21, 1927) has an interesting description of the house: "When completed, this was one of the most costly houses in the country. There was a basement under it and the first floor was for family use. On the second floor was a large ball room and this was the meeting place for dances, lodges and other social gatherings. Meals were served and crowds came there from far and near. The celebrated Tom Thumb and wife, midget folk, gave an entertainment in this hall one night and so large was the crowd that the floor gave way and some of the people were injured. Other entertainments were also held there." Crystal Lake Historical Society, Diana Kenney email 10/17/2020.
 1872 Algonquin Twp Map Excerpt.jpg ¹ |  Images Not Available.jpg |
¹ Algonquin Township map excerpt courtesy Crystal Lake Historical Society, Diana Kenney email 10/17/2020.
