Buffalo House
This is included under McHenry Brewery since Michael Worts owned both the Buffalo House and McHenry Brewery. Also McHenry Brewery brewed Buffalo Beer for the Buffalo House Inn.
Buffalo House, Lily Lake (Lakemoor), circa 1906. From left to right: John A. Worts, Peter & Josephine Folschwisler, unknown guest at Buffalo House (holding fishline), Ed Taylor (man sitting). Three women standing: Liddy Vickery, Gertrude Worts, Bernard Worts (baby) & Lena Worts (John’s wife). Children: Unknown child, Clara, Laura & Willie Worts (John’s daughters and son). Unknown guest at Buffalo House (man holding other end of fishline) & Michael Worts (John’s son with horse). Three men standing: Peter Weber, Theodore Wagner, & Peter Worts (Gertrude’s husband) and Curt or Bill Frost (man with other horse).
The “Buffalo House” in Lily Lake was opened by John A. and Michael L. Worts as a combination tavern and hotel in 1901. In 1872, the Worts farm was located along the east side of Lily Lake along what would become Illinois route 120.
The decision to build a tavern hotel on the east shore of Lily Lake was a wise one since the main wagon (and, later, auto) route between Chicago and Lake Geneva came along Darrell Road and Route 120 west through McHenry. The modern US 12 did not exist for the first 40 years of the 20th century.
Michael L. Worts took the lead in deciding to build the tavern/hotel to supplement the family’s farm income. Lily Lake itself was a Chicago destination for fishermen in the 1890s. In 1897 Michael Worts married Katherine Boley, a daughter of Gottlieb and Josephine Boley. Gottlieb Boley owned the McHenry Brewery which produced a beer called “Buffalo.”
Having married into the Boley family, Michael made certain to sell only “Buffalo Beer” at his new road house; the reason why the establishment was called the “Buffalo House.” Michael sold his share of his business to his brother, John in late 1905.
This photograph of the Buffalo House taken about 1906 shows a sign on the building which states that “J. A. Worts” was the proprietor. John A. Worts was living with his wife, Lena, and son, Michael, in McHenry in 1910. Michael Worts, John’s son, was, in 1910, a “Saloon laborer.” In early September 1927, Michael was arrested by federal officials along with a large number of other McHenry County prohibition violators in a case based on the disappearance of the McHenry County States Attorney, Alford Pouse. His case was null processed in 1928.
In the late 1920s, Otto Broecker had purchased the property and renamed the tavern as the “Lily Lake Hotel.” Up to 10 rooms were available for rent by the day or by the week. It was a popular spot for Chicago fishermen and hunters to stay. After passing through the hands of various owners, Floy and Mary Lee purchased the property and made extensive changes in the building. The building was torn down in the late 1990s.
