Fox Lake Map
Fox Lake is a village in Grant Township, Lake County, Illinois and Richmond Township, McHenry County, Illinois. The population was 9,178 at the 2000 census.
The village was founded in 1907. The area was first explored during the 17th century by French settlers. In the late 19th century it was known as Nippersink Point. Early in the 19th century there were but a few hundred residents; but, during the summer season the population would reach an estimated 20,000 people, and at its peak, the area had 50 hotels and 2,000 cottages. Infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone allegedly utilized an establishment now known as the Mineola Hotel and Restaurant as a hideout. In 1979 the Mineola was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and may be the largest wooden frame structure in the state.
Many Chicagoans establish summer homes in Fox Lake. The village is situated among the Chain O'Lakes, a great place to swim, boat, jet ski, and go tubing and boarding. In 2006, there was an estimated 28,000 registered boats on the chain belonging to residents (including summer residents) and 'weekend warrior' boaters.
Nearby cities include Port Barrington, Twin Lakes, Genoa City, Silver Lake, Wonder Lake.