The Huntley Historical Society

09/18/2026

Around 120 years ago, this photo of the Cornell Bros. creamery was taken.

Located on the west side side of the railroad tracks south of downtown, this building replaced the former Wood & Weltzien creamery which burned in March of 1892. Sadly, this structure would suffer the same fate on May 7, 1907. Cornell chose to rebuild across the tracks (today the Cornell Apartments) and this location remained empty. Behind the structure (far left) can be seen part of what became Enos Conley & Sons, later Custom Farm Services Inc., and later McHenry FS. To the right in the background is one of E.E. Keating's stock barns.

09/04/2026

As Huntley celebrates our Demi-semi-sept-centennial, here’s something from our Sesquicentennial.

09/03/2026

Over a century ago, this car was decorated most likely for a 4th of July parade. Decked out in American flags, from the headlights, the fenders, the trim, all the way down to the wheels, these participants were ready to show their patriotism! No identification is given on the reverse of the photo.
In the background is the Enos Conley coal, feed, and seed building along the west side of the railroad tracks. The photo dates before 1918 as the tall chimney can still be seen in the background and the large gambrel roof addition had not yet been constructed over the east wing of the building. The location of the building was on the other side of the railroad tracks behind the current-day Cornell Apartments.

08/28/2026

Some knew her as Regina Martin. Others knew her as Mother Mary Petra.

Regina Martin was born in Huntley on February 18, 1891, to Michael and Johanna Martin. Along with her older siblings Patrick and Hannah, she grew up in town and attended the Huntley public school. After graduating in 1908, Regina became a teacher in the area, a position she held for many years.

The St. Mary Catholic Church, of which she was a member, was a major influence in her life. In the 1920s, she left her teaching position to fully devout herself to the church. She became a nun, residing at Corpus Christi Monastery of the Poor Clares in Rockford. By the time she passed away on March 23, 1974, she was known as Mother Mary Petra, Vicaress of the Poor Clares Colletines. She was buried at the monastery in Rockford where she devoted decades of her life.

08/25/2026

This mid-1870s family portrait shows the Hellmund Hellmann family of Huntley. From left to right is:

Mary Hellmann (B. Oct. 22, 1873- D. Nov. 25, 1928)
Sophia Ahrens Hellmann (B. Jul. 7, 1840- D. Aug. 30, 1883)
Johann (John) Hellmann (B. Apr. 17, 1870- D. Jan. 11, 1893)
Hellmund (Helmuth or John) Hellmann (B. Aug. 5, 1838 D. Dec. 17, 1900)

Hellmund Hellmann married Sophia Ahrens and in the 1870s moved to the Robb farm west of town at the corner of what's now Marengo and Diekman Roads. Three children were born to the couple: Johann (John), Mary, and Wilhelm (William). Sophia passed in 1883 at the age of 43, and about six months later, on February 20, 1884, Hellmund married Johanna Edelstine. The couple continued to reside at the farm until Hellmund passed on December 17th, 1900. After Hellmund passed, Wilhelm took over the farm and resided at the property before building a new house in town on 4th Street and moving to it in 1911.

The Hellmann farm was eventually sold after Wilhelm's passing on August 22, 1933. Later owners of the farm include R.G. Thoke, Wilpault Brill, and most recently Tyler Leuth. Most of the buildings still stand in various conditions, and the Hellmann family is buried in the Huntley Cemetery on Dean Street.

08/20/2026

Around the turn-of-the-last century, a group of women from the First Congregational Church, accompanied by Rev. J.H. Ehlers, visited Camp Epworth. Located between Garden Prairie and Belvidere, the site was a popular church camp at the time that could easily be visited by taking the Elgin & Belvidere Electric Railroad.

Those photographed are listed on the back. They are:

Top Row L to R: *Unknown*, *Unknown*, Mrs. Sears, Rev. Ehlers, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Maude Blanchard, Mrs. Carl Hadley

Center L to R: Mrs. Frank Hulls, Mrs. E.H. Cook, Mrs. Adrian, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Van Ness, Mrs. Whittemore, Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Newton

Bottom L to R: Mrs. Anna Hadley, Mrs. Mary Bartholomew, Cora (?), Lillian Hawley, Mrs. Patchen, Mrs. Griffith, Mae Hadley Statler

07/31/2026

Year 4 is in the books!

What a great turn out and all out fun day for the Huntley Historical Society - Sew Hop'd B**r Mile last Saturday. We had 141 participants, several taking part in both events! It was just an amazing day! We want to thank all of the participants, sponsors and local businesses for their support and donations. We could not put on such an awesome event without your help! We also thank our many volunteers that took time to help setup, checkin runners, course marshal and clean up. We could not do it without you!

Thank you to following businesses for gift card and swag donations:
The Running Depot - Crystal Lake
Tipsie's Bar and Pizza - Huntley
DC Cobb's - Huntley
Goodyear Auto Tech Center - Huntley
7 Brew - Huntley
Culvers - Huntley
Tom's Farm Market - Huntley

Thank you to our sponsors:

07/30/2026

Special "Thank You" to our awesome sponsors for making our 4th Annual B**r Mile a fun and huge success! We love you and could not put on the b**r mile without your support!

07/27/2026

A few very recognizable Huntley residents pose for a picture on Woodstock Street on October 2, 1963. From Left to right they are: Dan Ziller, Percy Swanson, and Clint Birkeneder. Looks as though all three were ready to get a public works project accomplished that day! Note the Enos Conley nail pouch worn by Birkeneder!

07/22/2026

It is hard to believe that our 4th Annual B**r Mile is a few days away! Back in early 2023 when he had this idea of a B**r Mile, we didn't know anything about putting on a race or where to start. We reached out to our good friend Michele at Ornery Mule Racing and asked her for advice. Within an hour, Michele provided us with everything we needed to create our B**r Mile and get it off the ground, the rest is history. To this day we are thankful for the help and know that the B**r Mile would not exist without her! If you are a runner and are not familiar with Ornery Mule Racing, please check them out. Their races are like no others! Every runner is treated like family, I know because I've run many of them! Check them out at https://www.ornerymuleracing.com/

**rmile

Midwest Trail running at its best! Kindness, community & ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Events from one mile to 100 miles.