“Forty-Nine Years of Crystal Lake History as We Have Lived it,” is a booklet about the history of downtown Crystal Lake and its people by Edna McCall.
She moved to the area in 1963 with her husband, Doug. They opened The Print Shop at 71 N. Williams St. in 1976. Edna currently owns The Flag Store at 69 N. Williams St., the former Raue Hardware store.
“There are businesses downtown that we wouldn’t even have thought of in 1963,” McCall writes. “Pilates, yoga, massage therapy, at least three nail salons, and Starbucks Coffee. Yes, downtown has something for everyone!”
Some things haven’t change.
“Downtown Crystal Lake had an attraction that not every town could boast, Pop’s Corn Crib,” McCall writes. “Kids knew this was a good place to get a treat. This special place still exists today, and is just as popular as ever. It is no longer run by Pop, it is run by Lisa.”
“As I write this in 2012, I believe the thing that has changed the least in downtown is The Metro Bowl on Brink Street. Matt’s Tavern and Williams Street Tap also look much as they did in 1963. The dry cleaners on Brink street also has changed very little.”
Part of the town’s history was shaped by disasters.
“I recently asked my daughter (Lori) for her earliest memory of Crystal Lake. Her reply, ‘I remember when a tornado came through and took the Piggly Wiggly away.’ That was a very traumatic experience, the Palm Sunday tornadoes of 1965. She was only 3 years old at the time. Five people were killed and a lot of people lost their homes to that storm.”
In 1979, the Jewel food store roof caved in under the weight of heavy snow. “The property owners in the downtown were advised to buy the property for a much-needed parking lot. A special assessment was levied and we paid the assessment for a period of years.”
Also in 1979 there was a fire on Brink Street which took out Brainerd’s Book Store and Shear Artistry beauty shop. “The fire started on the roof where some repairs were being made.”
“Another time there was a tragic fire in the building which housed Ace Hardware on Williams Street,” McCall writes. “The historic buildings were burned to the ground, and were rebuilt in modern style. The Decorator Nook occupied that space for several years. Unfortunately, that area has been vacant for some time now.”
McCall also writes about the people, including Lucile Raue, who operated Raue Hardware next door to The Print Shop.
Judith Svalander opened a dance studio on Woodstock Street. “Thirty-six years later, Judith Svalander’s School of Ballet is still going strong and Judith is still young,” McCall writes. “She has been a real asset to the community.”
Joe and Del Ornelas bought The Player’s Bench in in November 1976. “The Player’s Bench is still going strong. A lot of people have taken music lessons there through the years.”
“Oh, yes, Millie Gieseke ran the Fabric Shop at 21 N. Williams St. until, when in her 90s, her daughters convinced her it was OK to retire. Her building is now known as The Material Girl.”
Another recent booklet by McCall is entitled “Dorothy Heisler Remembers: ‘The Way it Was.’”
“Dorothy Heisler is in her 90s and still regularly comes to work at Heisler’s Bootery,” McCall said. “She leads a very active, productive life. No afternoon naps for her!”
“We’ve seen a lot of changes down here through the years,” McCall said in an interview this week. “I think it’s been a more interesting transition because people like the Heislers and and Millie Gieseke have hung around and given it some continuity.”
Add Edna McCall to that list.
– Chris Cashman is business editor of The Northwest Herald. Email ccashman@shawmedia.com