News Stories of Interest

1931 black and white photograph of automobiles parked on Cass street with the McHenry County Courthouse and Sheriff's residence and jail buildings in the background. It is winter time and there is snow on the roads, buildings and trees. Woodstock, Illinois.

Courthouse and Jail on a snowy day, 1931

Courthouses are often synomynous with serious events such as high-profile cases, suspects awaiting trial, and huge fines. Very rarely is it a place of joy and mirth. Yet the residents of Woodstock have consistently found ways to delight their neighbors with hilarious antics and wholesome community events using the Courthouse as a centerpiece.

Take a look at some of the articles below for a glimpse into Woodstock's past!

1867-06-06 (ws) praise and thankfulness that the courthouse was not built in square park.jpg

June 6 1867 | Opinion Piece: Praise for the Beauty of the Square

1881-02-24 (ws) call for meeting at courthouse for holding 95th reunion.jpg

February 24 1881 | Reunion of Illinois' 95th Infantry Regiment Held at Courthouse

1886-08-14 (mcd) girls see light shining at courthouse - prevent escape attempt.jpg

August 14 1886 | Child of Woodstock Resident Thwarts Jailbreak

1886-11-20 (mcd) children perform play in court room at court house.jpg

November 20 1886 | Children Perform Play for Charity at Courthouse

1893-11-25 (mcd) poverty in woodstock - donate clothes at courthouse.jpg

November 25 1893 | Clothing Drive to be Held at Courthouse

1899-04-13 (ws) flag on courthouse flown at half mast - spanish american war dead buried in arlington.jpg

April 13 1899 | Courthouse Flag Flown at Half-Mast to Honor Spanish-American War Deaths

1919-10-03 (wdstk american) former courthouse janitor has sea chest brought over on the mayflower.jpg

October 3 1919 | Former Courthouse Janitor has Sea Chest Brought Over on the Mayflower

1921-09-02 (wdstk american) hundreds attend big pavement dance in front of courthouse.jpg

September 2 1921 | Hundreds Attend Big Pavement Dance Friday

1923-12-24 (ws) 'bud' leonard amused crowd saturday climbing tree to catch turkey thrown off courthouse.jpg

December 24 1923 | Local Woodstock Resident Climbs Tree to Set Turkey Free

1935-07-09 (ws) first band concert of season on wed - in front of court house.jpg

July 9 1935 | First Concert of the Season to be Held in Front of Courthouse

1935-10-18 (ws) state's attorney lumley visits court house - has been very sick.jpg

October 18 1935 | State's Attorney Vincent S. Lumley Returns to Courthouse in Good Health

1935-12-24 (ws) santa claus at court house this afternoon.jpg

December 24 1935 | Santa Claus to Make Appearance at Courthouse

1939-02-09 (ws) central girl scouts showing fine progress - meet in court house.jpg

February 9 1939 | Central Street Girl Scouts Meet at Courthouse

1939-03-16 (ws) boy scouts tour court house - sheriff edinger.jpg

March 16 1939 | Boy Scouts Tour Courthouse with Sheriff Edinger

1950-02-23 (ws) workmen in courthouse find rock pile in abandoned room.jpg