Did You Know Advertising Icon Leo Burnett Lived in Lake Zurich?

The Ela Historical Society invites residents to check out their newest acquisitions which include a cartoon Christmas card designed by Dick Tracy creator Charles Gould.

The card was from members of the Lake Zurich Golf Club, which included advertising icon, Leo Burnett, and it was to Virginia and William Pohlman who operated the golf club. 

Leo Burnett lived in Lake Zurich for many years, at Fairfield and Old McHenry roads, said historical society Vice President Ron Frank.

Frank said back in the '50s, Burnett would go to the news agency in town and buy all the Sunday papers-- back then there were several daily Chicago newspapers. 

"He would sit there going through the newspapers; throw the newspapers away and keep the ads," Frank said. 

Leo Burnett lived on his Lake Zurich farm from 1942 until his death in 1971, according to ancestry.com. Burnett was considered one of the most creative men in the advertising business.  Some of his company's creations were the Jolly Green Giant, the Marlboro Man, Morris the Cat, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger.

Another new acquisition is a set of wooden pipe organs that were used at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Lake Zurich from 1901 to 1948. 

The Ela Historical Society is open on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the first Saturday of the month, 9 a.m; the third Sunday of the month, 1 p.m; or by appointment.