Old Hansen Marine on Lincoln Rd, McHenry, IL

Hanson Marine Service located at 3112 W. Lincoln Rd. just east of the Pearl St. Bridge at the intersection of N. River Rd. In 1887, Everett Hunter, Sr. (1868-1931) was a painter by trade doing gold striping and interior decorating on Pullman train cars. He began boat building, sign writing and awning making in Chicago. In 1901, he began E. Hunter Boat Manufacturing Company out of Chicago. In 1904, he partnered with Adam Weckler, moved the boat making operation to McHenry and named the company, Hunter-Weckler Boat Co. In 1910, Hunter bought out Weckler and named the company, Everett Hunter Boat Company, buying additional land and building a new factory. Everett, Sr. died in 1931. Everett, Jr. continued to run the company until July 3, 1956 when William Goettsche and Harry Hans purchased the business and changed the name to North Bridge Marine Service. On January 1, 1967, Edward P. "Bud" Hansen of Hansen Marine Service in Cary, purchased the business and named the company, Hansen Marine Service - North. Bill Bodinus purchased the business in November 1991 and named it Watertower Marina, Inc. before closing its door in April 2009 when the economy and financing became more difficult to operate profitably.