Keystrokes & Community: How Oliver shaped a city
The Oliver Typewriter Company didn't just employ Woodstock, it became woven into the fabric of daily life. Several businesses on the Square took their names from the factory, and Oliver's influence extended well beyond the plant floor.
The company sponsored one of the finest bands in northern Illinois, which performed weekly concerts in the Square and at celebrations throughout McHenry County and the Chicagoland area. Oliver also fielded a semi-professional baseball team regarded as one of the best in the Midwest. The team produced at least one future major leaguer: third baseman George Moriarty caught the eye of Chicago Cubs management during a 1903 exhibition game in Woodstock. Though he didn't join the Cubs, Moriarty went on to a long career in the major leagues, most notably with the Detroit Tigers, and later became a respected American League umpire.
As production expanded, Oliver established its own fire department in 1903. The company brigade regularly assisted Woodstock's municipal fire department, protecting not just the factory but the surrounding community as well.
Oliver didn't just build typewriters in Woodstock. It helped build the city itself.
