This Old House Tells Story of Infamous Murder in Lake Zurich

The Robertson House, located on Robertson Road in Lake Zurich, is probably the oldest standing structure in town. It was built in 1855 by John Robertson, who served as Ela Township supervisor, justice of the peace and highway commissioner.

The land was purchased from Seth Paine’s children, according to the records. 

John Robertson was murdered in 1877 in what is probably Lake Zurich’s most notorious crime.

Robertson, serving as highway commissioner, was shot by local farmer Peter Davison in a dispute over road access. The incident happened on what is now Rainbow Road.

After being shot, Robertson returned to his home and died there. The ensuing trial was the talk of the time.

Read the whole story in Illuminating Lake County History, Lake County historian Diana Dretse’s blog.

Ron Frank, Ela Historical Society vice president, recalls playing at the Robertson House property as a child. “There was a big swathe of land all the way to the lake and there were woods all around it,” he said.

The last descendent of Robertson to live in the house was Edith Dymond, who lived there until 1939.

There were plans in 2006 to raze the historic home and build condos. The Ela Historical Society wanted to move the home to a park and use it as a local museum. Of course, neither of those plans materialized.

The home is reportedly now for sale.