Historical Photographs
Title
Historical Photographs
Description
Photographs of Woodstock from the 1850s through the 20th Century
Collection Items
Southeast Corner of the Woodstock Square
This circa 1870 photograph of the southeast corner of the Woodstock Square appeared in the January 20, 1916 issue of the Woodstock Sentinel Newspaper.
A decade after the photo was taken, 1893, this section of the Square burned to the ground. A…
A decade after the photo was taken, 1893, this section of the Square burned to the ground. A…
Courthouse, Square Park and Baptist Church ca 1867
This photo of the west side of the Square, which is very similar to the photo Item #373 (Square in winter ca 1867) and features the Courthouse and the Baptists church which was located directly to the west of the Courthouse on the northwest corner of…
Oliver Typewriter Band on Courthouse Steps
Oliver Typewriter Band photographed on the steps of the Courthouse. Original photo is dated 1898. On the back of the photo it is indicated that the far right musician is Herbert B. Medlar, prominent Woodstock photographer during the time period.
Gus Persson
This biography of Gus Persson (pronounced Pierson) was written by his daughter Mildred L. Persson (Fish) Luallen in 2017
Gustav "Gus" Persson
Born in Grums Skruvstad, Varmland, Sweden, November 8, 1879; immigrated to America in 1896; came to…
Gustav "Gus" Persson
Born in Grums Skruvstad, Varmland, Sweden, November 8, 1879; immigrated to America in 1896; came to…
Medlar Studio Photographers
His photos are the oldest in the library's collection. According to Woodstock Illustrated, published in 1895, J.S. Medlar was the first photographer in McHenry County and one of the first in the state. He was still working at that time, but in the…
Emerson Typewriter Company
Gus Persson took this photo of the Emerson Typewriter factory under construction in the winter of 1909-1910.
Emerson Typewriter Co. was founded in Momence, Illinois in 1909 and moved to Woodstock in 1910. City subscribers raised $30,000 to…
Emerson Typewriter Co. was founded in Momence, Illinois in 1909 and moved to Woodstock in 1910. City subscribers raised $30,000 to…
Park and East Side of Square before 1909
Horses with wagons and buggies are parked on Johnson St in this dark colored photograph. The buildings on Benton St can be glimpsed through the trees with additional buggies and wagons parked on Benton St. The Spring House (built 1876) is visible,…
South and Hayward Sts. 740 Postcard
This is one of a series of Woodstock postcards that Wm. G. Hoffman of Chicago printed. The earliest is dated 1908 and the latest in this series was 1912. Three large houses are pictured. The one on the left is 414 W. South St. The one in the middle…
401 W. Jackson Always Inn Postcard
This postcard, published circa 1910, shows the Cyrus Durfee House, 401 W. Jackson, during the years it was a hotel. Cyrus Durfee built his "mansion" in 1867. The Woodstock Sentinel extolled it as "One of the largest, most convenient, and best…
445 Fremont St
The snow in this photo erases some of the clues to the date, but we know who lived in the house in 1914, the earliest City Directory in the library collection. Dexter and Mable Herrington moved there sometime between the 1900 US Census, when they…
Woodstock Hospital Postcard 1914
In 1914, the newly formed Woodstock Hospital Association took over Dr. Hyde West's private hospital at 417 Clay Street. The hospital remained here only one year, moving to the Judge Theodore Murphy home at 527 W. South Street in 1915.
The American…
The American…
Man with Horse and Buggy - 130 Washington Street
130 Washington Street
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library.
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library.
Woman with Dog
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or Abram) Bodine McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois. A.B. McConnell was a son of…
Dog on Horse the A.B. McConnell House
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or Abram) Bodine McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois. A.B. McConnell was a son of…
Turn of the Century Baby at the A.B. McConnell House
The house is believed to be the A.B. McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois.
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or…
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or…
Lady at A.B. McConnell House
The house is believed to be the A.B. McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois.
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or…
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or…
Woodstock Toddler at A.B. McConnell House
Unidentified toddler. This house is believed to be the A.B. McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois.
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was…
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was…
Woodstock Workmen
The location of the brick structure behind them is not known but this negative was grouped with other photographs from the A.B. McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois.
This print was made from glass…
This print was made from glass…
Gentleman with Dog at A.B. McConnell House Corner of Jefferson and South Street
This print was made from glass negatives donated to the Woodstock Public Library. The photograph was taken at the Abraham (or Abram) Bodine McConnell House at the corner of Jefferson and South Street in Woodstock Illinois. A.B. McConnell was a son of…
First Automobile in Woodstock (and McHenry County) owned by Dr. E. Windmueller - 1900
In late 1899 or early 1900 Dr. Windmueller bought the first self propelled vehicle. A Locomobile steamer made in Newton Mass. It was painted red with black trim.
Dedication of the Soldier’s Monument in the Woodstock Square Park - November 3, 1909
The gentlemen standing in the front two rows are veterans of the Civil War. The women in the third row are wives or widows of the veterans.
The “Sentinel” or Civil War Monument was erected by the Grand Army of the Republic. Zoia Monuments mounted…
The “Sentinel” or Civil War Monument was erected by the Grand Army of the Republic. Zoia Monuments mounted…
Woodstock Opera House & Bandstand
The Opera House was finished in 1890 and this is one of the oldest photographs of it. The picture shows the bandstand as it looked before the 1909 structure. The houses and shops on the southwest side of the Square (where Woodstock Square Mall is…
The Sentinel or Civil War Monument in the City Square Park
The “Sentinel” or Civil War Monument was erected in 1909 by the Grand Army of the Republic. Zoia Monuments mounted the statue on its base. The symbols of the infantry, cavalry, navy, and marines are carved on the sides. Over time it became the…
Benton Street Looking North World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I.
This picture shows Benton Street from Van Buren all the way to Church Street.
This picture shows Benton Street from Van Buren all the way to Church Street.
Benton Street World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I.
Corner of Benton & Jackson Streets - World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I. This photo is of the State Bank of Woodstock and to the left, the Odd Fellows Hall (Benton…
Welcome Home Arch on Main Street World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I.
The 'Welcome Home' arch was located on the south end of Main Street.
The 'Welcome Home' arch was located on the south end of Main Street.
Automobiles on Woodstock Square (Johnson Street)
The purpose of the automobile lineup on Johnson Street on the Woodstock Square is unknown (possibly an auto club). The photo was taken after 1912 when the pillars with globe lights were installed in the park and the street was paved with bricks.
Kendall Block on Cass Street, 1920s
This photo was taken in the 1920’s, showing the building where Prudential Realty and Town Square Inn are located. Compare it with the photo of the same building in 1883 (Kendall Block and Austin’s Grocery Store). The building has been doubled in size…
Cass Street World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I.
Hoy’s Pharmacy was in business for many years, succeeded by Pfeiffer’s, Gibson’s and…
Hoy’s Pharmacy was in business for many years, succeeded by Pfeiffer’s, Gibson’s and…
McHenry County Courthouse and Sheriff's House & Jail
This picture was taken sometime between 1887, when the Sheriff’s House was built, and 1912, when brick pavers were laid on the streets surrounding the Square. There are no electric wires visible, so it is probably taken before the power plant was…
World War 1 Homecoming Celebration Welcome Home Parade, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I.
Train Depot World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
The “Heroes Welcome” sign on the new depot shows this photo was taken during the World War 1 Homecoming celebration in the summer of 1919. This quiet scene must have been photographed early in the day before all the activity on the Square and Main…
Main Street Woodstock, 1924
In this picture, cars have almost replaced horses and there is enough traffic to make Main Street a one-way street. The building on the left is Dushnack’s Restaurant. On the right is one of the last wooden buildings on the square. It burned in…
Elijah and Sarah Hutchins Burbank
Elijah and Sarah Burbank came to Illinois from New Hampshire via the Ohio River in 1847. They came to McHenry County by ox team from Southern Illinois, the trip taking seven weeks. After trying many things, Elijah learned the trade of stonemason and…
Wind Storm Damage on South Street
This picture of the damage caused by a wind storm was taken on the corner of South and Dean Streets where the Christian Science Reading Room is now located. The Methodist Church to the right was built in 1871 and burned in 1923.
Main Street World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919
On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning 'soldiers, sailors and marines' from World War I.
This view of Main Street from the depot shows the bunting and the “Welcome Home” sign…
This view of Main Street from the depot shows the bunting and the “Welcome Home” sign…
Woodstock Square Bandstand, Circa 1910
The mature trees and the electricity in the bandstand show the passage of time. This bandstand was built in 1909 (it is not the current structure). The stonework of the bandstand is reflected in the stone pillars at the entrances of the Square. These…
Horseless Carriage - Rambler, 1905/1906
Taken in the early 1900s the driver and riders are unidentified. Photograph was taken at the corner of Calhoun and Nebraska.
Borden's Condensed Milk Plant on Washington Street, 1908
In 1903, the Borden's Condensed Milk company sent a delegation which included representatives of the Chicago and North Western railway to search for a suitable site to build a factory in Woodstock. After consulting with prominent citizens, Mayor E.…
Fourth of July Tug of War, 1910
This photo gives a good view of a large portion of Main Street’s east side to the edge of the Square. Note that the far building two stories. Also, this is a good view of the Waverly House (with balconies).
Woodstock Public Library, 1960
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in the Woodstock Opera House. The library moved to its Judd Street location in 1959. The 4000 sq ft building was designed by local architect William Fyfe, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The…
Woodstock Public Library, 1959
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in the Woodstock Opera House. The library moved to its Judd Street location in 1959. The 4000 sq ft building was designed by local architect William Fyfe, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The…
Interior of Woodstock Public Library, 1960
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in the Woodstock Opera House. The library moved to its Judd Street location in 1959. The 4000 sq ft building was designed by local architect William Fyfe, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The…
Woodstock Public Library, 1948
The woman in the photograph is Library Assistant Jean West. We would love to identify the children in the photograph. If you know who any of them are please email to library@woodstockil.gov.
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in…
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in…