Lake Zurich’s Outlet

    Walking further you will pass several nice old homes built by prominent people along the lake. One of them belonged to Charles Erickson, the inventor of the rotary phone mechanism. Some of these homes were built with kits available through Sears Roebuck in the 1920s. Further on, you will eventually come to the side street Lois Lane. This spot was once the location of the Illinois Missionary Children’s Home.  This was a combination church and mission for broken families. Reverend Carl Nelson was the leader. There was once  a small white church here along with several small homes on four acres of land. At first it was a resort with several small cottages run by a local family from 1920 to 1944. It was then purchased by Reverend Nelson and turned into a missionary for mothers with children who were abandoned by their fathers.  It lasted into the 1970s, when it became too dilapidated and was torn down. 

   Just beyond Lois Lane is the outlet of Lake Zurich, which becomes Flint Creek and meanders west to the Fox River.

    From this point into town the road used to be called Paine Street for many years. It would probably still have that name if it weren’t for Ash Street, just a little farther up the road from the outlet. A former mayor lived on the corner of Ash Street and Paine, and got tired of having to say he lived at Paine and Ash. He used the power of his office and changed the name. Ela Historical Society would like to see it back. You may now push NEXT