The Chain O' Lakes is a region in the northwestern part of greater Chicagoland which is composed of 15 lakes connected by the Fox River and man-made channels. Located in the Lake County along the Wisconsin border, it is generally centered around the Village of Fox Lake but includes much of the greater area.
Originally formed as a result of the Wisconsin glacier melt off, the Chain O' Lakes were fed and connected by the Fox River. The area as a whole is marshy, which inhibited early development until the Milwaukee Road Railroad was built through the area in the early 20th century. The first station was at the location of the current Metra Station in Fox Lake. This spurred the first major growth in the area as tourists from Chicago began arriving. Many resorts were built including the now closed Mineola.
However, the remote location proved to be a boon not only to tourists but also crime. The resorts eventually banded together to create the Village of Fox Lake to stop interference from Lake County. During prohibition, the area was renowned in the Chicagoland region for having very lose liquor enforcement and was an attraction for drinking, gambling and organized crime. Al Capone was known to frequent the area and had a summer home in Antioch.
The Great Depression effectively ended much of the tourism industry in the area. Gradually, many communities in the area transitioned into modern suburbs with a mixture of year-round residents and tourists. Tourism only truly remains important in Fox Lake and Antioch, while the rest of the area has some but much less tourist attractions. During the summer, the population of Fox Lake alone can swell to 100,000 people.
Car is the primary method of entry into the Chain O' Lakes. The primary route of entry is US 12 from Wisconsin or Chicago.
The area is also serviced by two of Chicagoland's Metra commuter rails. The following lines can be used:
Car is the primary method of travel in between the communities of the Chain O'Lakes. Any of the following routes can be used for this purpose:
Though the area still has a bit of a rough image, it is by and large completely safe for tourists, especially in the downtown areas of the Villages in the area. Travel may become difficult at times in the winter.
The Chain O'Lakes has the fortunate position of being located immediately near many other attractions including those in nearby Gurnee and Lake Geneva, both of which can be reached within a 30 minute drive from Fox Lake.