Apple Canyon Lake, Illinois

Apple Canyon Lake is a census-designated place in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. Its population was 558 as of the 2010 census.[1]

Apple Canyon Lake, Illinois
Census-designated place
Branigar's original Apple Canyon Lake logo (1968)
Apple Canyon Lake
Apple Canyon Lake
Coordinates: 42°25′14″N 90°09′23″W
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyJo Daviess
Area
 • Total4.370 sq mi (11.32 km2)
 • Land3.714 sq mi (9.62 km2)
 • Water0.656 sq mi (1.70 km2)
Elevation
853 ft (260 m)
Population
 • Total558
 • Density130/sq mi (49/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code(s)815 & 779
GNIS feature ID2629890[2]

History

Apple Canyon Lake is a planned vacation community developed in the late 1960s by the Branigar Organization of Medinah, Illinois. Branigar had developed similar vacation home projects in Wisconsin: Dutch Hollow Lake and Lake Redstone where Branigar built a dam along a stream and then sold water front vacation lots. Branigar assembled the 2,700 acres (1,100 ha) of land in Jo Daviess County, Illinois that was considered by farmers as marginal pasture land due to the steep inclines and rocky out croppings of limestone. An interesting aspect of the development is that 85 percent of the 15 miles of shore line is unsubdivided and is to remain green space. This provides lake access to those lots not on the shoreline. In addition, the main road is set back from the lake with lots accessible via cul de sacs.[3]

In the summer of 1969, Branigar began constructing the Apple Canyon Lake dam which would ultimately create a 400-acre lake with an average depth of 40 feet.[4] In addition, a club house, pool, golf course, marina and private airport were built in order to attract potential lot buyers. By the fall of 1969, Branigar was heavily marketing the Apple Canyon Lake vacation lots in the Chicago market. The 2,200 individual lots ranged in size from one-half to two acres (0.20 to 0.81 ha) with water and underground electricity/phone servicing each lot. Lot prices ranged from $12,000 to $34,000 in 1969.[5]

Today

Apple Canyon Lake is residential/resort community, where homeowners pay taxes. Bass and walleye fishing are excellent. Boating, water skiing, a hiking trail around the entire lake are just some of the amenities.

Education

The Scales Mound Community Unit School District 211 operates public schools serving the community:[6][7] Scales Mound Elementary School, Scales Mound Junior High School, and Scales Mound High School.

Other sections are served by Warren and Stockton school districts.

References
  1. "U.S. Census website". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Apple Canyon Lake, Illinois
  3. Apple Canyon Lake Dam Rises; Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Ill.: October 18, 1969. pg. B16, 1 pgs. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  4. Apple Canyon Lake Dam Rises; Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Ill.: October 18, 1968. pg. B16, 1 pgs. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  5. New Lake-Side Concept Planned at Apple Canyon; Chicago Daily Tribune. Chicago, Ill.: September 7, 1969. Page E3 1. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. Home. Scales Mound Community Unit School District 211. Retrieved on July 15, 2018.
  7. "District Map." Scales Mound Community Unit School District 211. Retrieved on July 15, 2018.


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