The Land Before McHenry Long before settlers arrived, the land we now call McHenry was home to the Potawatomi tribe. They lived off the land, relying on the river’s bounty and the fertile prairies. To them, the Fox River wasn’t just a waterway—it was a life source. Their legacy, though often overshadowed, forms the foundation of the area’s rich heritage. The Potawatomi were eventually displaced, but their trails became roads, and their knowledge of the land guided the settlers who followed. Understanding this history helps us see McHenry as more than a town—it’s a place layered with stories and meaning. The Settlers Arrive In the early 1830s, settlers began making their way to the area, drawn by the promise of fertile soil and access to the Fox River. Among them was William McConnell, a pioneer whose name echoes through local lore. These early settlers faced a daunting landscape—dense forests, bitter