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History of the Lake Zurich Lions Club
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During the summer of 1939, a group of 25 Lake Zurich businessmen and citizens banded together in the interest of fostering civic and
community improvement, and building cooperation between businesses and the community as a whole. By fall of the same year, the group determined that
its interests would best be served, and its long-term survival enhanced, if it operated as a part of a larger service organization. Its charter as
the Lake Zurich Lions Club became official on October 8, 1939.
The first collective project of the organization was the restocking of Lake Zurich with fish. Working with the State of Illinois officials,
25,000 fish were added to the lake.
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In 1942, the Lions Club embarked on its largest single project. Combining personal funding, creative financing and a huge amount of committed
manpower, the club purchased land that represented a portion of the right of way for the defunct Palatine, Lake Zurich and Wauconda railroad.
Included in the purchase was a 25-ft. mound on 3 acres of land in the downtown area which was an approach to a trestle over the EJ&E railroad tracks.
In the years that followed, the members graded the mound and converted the land into a community park, playground and baseball diamond. The
purchase of adjacent land several years later enabled the organization to add a food stand, meeting hall, and parking lot.
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In 1944, the club took the steps to stop a private entity from owning the lake. The Lions Club raised funds to purchase nearly 300 acres of
lake bed and some lake front property to assure public access to the lake. Since then, the club has led lake maintenance efforts, including weed
elimination, dredging and restocking.
In the late 1940's, the Lions Club continued its land acquisition effort, purchasing more of the railroad right of way and donating it to
the Village of Lake Zurich for the construction of Lions Drive. That development also made possible the construction of the current American Legion
Hall and new subdivisions on property that was formerly land locked.
Other early activities of the Lions Club included the purchase of the town's first street light and manning the community's first
ambulance service. Today, the club continues its service, maintaining these properties and also supporting scholarships, community projects and a
host of community activities.
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