Landmark Dedication Ceremony - October 26, 2008
HONORING CHUNN'S BURYING GROUND
(A.K.A. OAK GLEN CEMETERY)
A McHenry County Landmark dedication ceremony was held at Chunn's Burying Ground on October 26, 2008. Located near the village fringes of Barrington Hills and Fox River Grove, just north of the intersection of Plum Tree, Old Hunt and Algonquin Roads. Approximately 50 people attended the celebration, together with county board members, local officials and Fox River Grove Lioness members. The interest and curiosity of Paula Polston, inspired her to submit a nomination application to the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission. Chunn's now is a protected historic site through the enactment of a county ordinance and its registration with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in Springfield.
A large granite boulder at the entrance, holds a bronze plaque signifying its Landmark status. This spot denotes the final resting place of early settlers, who came here and forged a historic path in the southeast portion of McHenry County.
The Chunn family established the site in 1843 with a family burial. Some sources state burials go back to 1809. Long time residents assert it was an old Indian burial ground. Chunn's is situated atop a hill, near Spring Creek and behind the former Oak Glen Schoolhouse, now a residence. Closed to burials, the last known interment was in 1910. Unfortunately, many burial records have been lost or are nonexistent to
verify some of these dates. Only one record had been found of a Civil War soldier at rest here.
In 1944, a transcription and stone inventory was done by Arnett C. Lines, a Barrington historian. At that
time the cemetery was overgrown and neglected. Many of the grave stones have been damaged or lost since Mr. Lines' reading. For the last ten years the Barrington Area Library has this cemetery listed online for all to view.
About 20 years ago, this obscured cemetery was cleared
of debris and overgrowth by a group of local citizens. All remaining grave stones were placed in the center of the grounds, in a raised locale around two oak trees.
Algonquin Township are Trustees currently caring for Chunn's Burying Ground assisted by Fox River Grove Lioness Club members, Marylou Nunamaker and Carol Pierpont, maintaining seasonal plantings.
McHenry County Historic Preservation Commissioner Bonnie Duresa, thanks everyone attending the affair honoring this hallowed ground and those interred in one of the earliest county cemeteries.
November 10, 2008
Bonnie Duresa
Barrington Hills, IL
Diane Klemm, Algonquin Township Supervisor
Row 1 (L to R) Sarah Edwards, Marc Munaretto, County Board member, Linda Stengele, FRG Lioness, Sue Knapp, Rosemary Bloom Row 2 (L to R) Gloria Mack, County Historic Preservation Commission, Beth Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Betty Sorenen, Lowell Cutsforth & Neils Sorensen, both Algonquin Township Trustees, Paul Polston, Chunn's nominator, Robert Polston, Fox River Grove Police Chief (retired) Diana Kenney, President Crystal Lake Historical Society, Carl Stengele.
Diane Klemm, Algonquin Township Supervisor, Introducing McHenry County officials:
Row 1 (L to R ) Denise Collins, County Historic Preservation Commission, Marylou Nunamaker, FRG Lioness, Dorothy Otis, County Historic Preservation Commission, Beth Edward, Sarah Edwards, Marc Munaretto, County Board member, Linda Stengele, Row 2 (l to R) Anna May Miller, County Board member, Gloria Mack, County Historic Preservation Commission, Rose Faber, Barrington Area Library Head Adult Services, Betty Sorenson, Neil Sorenson, Algonquin Township Trustee, Paula Polston, Chunn's application nominator.
Row 1 ( L to R) Marylou Nunamaker, Dorothy Otis, County Historic Preservation Commission,
Beth Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Sue Knapp, Linda Stengele, Rosemary Bloom, FRG Lioness,
Row 2 (L to R) Anna May Miller, County Board member, Gloria Mack, County Historic Preservation Commission, Marc Munaretto, County Board member, Paula Polston, Nominator, Robert Polston FRG Police Chief (retired) Diana Kenney, Dan Shea, County Board member (not pictured but present) Niels Sorensen & Lowell Cutsworth , Algonquin Township Trustees' & Betty Sorensen.