1830s
Ela and Paine
George Ela, for whom the township is named, and Seth Paine were among the first settlers. Paine started several businesses in town.
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois
Living in Lake Zurich, Illinois
A lake village about 32 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop, built around a lake that sits entirely inside it.
01 — At a Glance
A village built around its own lake.
Lake Zurich was settled in the 1830s and incorporated on September 29, 1896. It’s named for the lake, which sits entirely inside the village. The 2020 census counted 19,759 residents. Rand Road and Route 22 made it a summer resort in the 1920s. The ZIP code is 60047, and the land area is about 6.9 square miles.
02 — History
The story of Lake Zurich.
The lake was once called Cedar Lake, until one of the first settlers gave it a Swiss name. A few chapters from the village’s past.
1830s
Cedar Lake to Lake Zurich
The lake was first called Cedar Lake. Seth Paine renamed it Lake Zurich, and the village took the name.
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois
1896
Incorporation
The village of Lake Zurich was incorporated on September 29, 1896, and stayed mostly a farm town for years.
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois
1920s
A summer resort
Rand Road arrived in 1922 and Half Day Road in 1927, and Lake Zurich became a favorite summer getaway.
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois
1950s
Neighborhoods grow
Housing development began in the 1950s, and the village kept growing through the rest of the century.
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 runs the public schools from kindergarten through high school. A small east section is served by District 96 and High School District 125.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · K–5
District 95 elementary schools
Five elementary schools.
- Isaac Fox, Sarah Adams, Seth Paine
- Spencer Loomis, May Whitney
Public · Grades 6–8
District 95 middle schools
Two middle schools.
- Lake Zurich Middle School North
- Lake Zurich Middle School South
Public · Grades 9–12
Lake Zurich High School
The district’s high school.
- Lake Zurich High School
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Lake Zurich.
Summer in Lake Zurich centers on the water and the Alpine Fest.
Around the Lake
Lake Zurich
The lake at the center of the village.
Alpine Fest
The annual summer festival, started by the Lake Zurich Lions Club.
Village center
Shops and restaurants near the lake.
Getting Around
Rand Road
U.S. 12 runs through the village.
Route 22
Half Day Road heads east toward the North Shore.
Route 53
The expressway is a short drive south.
Source: Wikipedia: Lake Zurich, Illinois