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Woodstock Public Square and Spring House - Teich
Curt Teich was one of the most prolific and popular postcard creators. He was prominent in the "Linen Period" in production style from 1930 to 1945. The post card has a textured look and is framed in white to reduce the amount of ink necessary to…
Woodstock Square Park
The photgrapher is standing on Van Buren near the corner of Dean Street to take this postcard photo mainly of trees in the Square park. Only a small portion of the American National Bank at 100 N. Benton is visibile.
The message is on the front…
The message is on the front…
Woodstock Square Park
This postcard seems to be a photo of trees with the Spring House tucked into the right corner. Part of the bandstand can barely be seen along with glimpses of the businesses on Cass Street. The sign on the bandstand advertizes a band concert.
The…
The…
Looking East from Woodstock, IL Square Park - Spring House
People are seated on benches in the Sqare park near the Spring House. The buildings in the background are the Odd Fellows Temple on E. Jackson and the Sherman building on S. Benton.
This postcard, number 724, was published by Wm G Hoffman of…
This postcard, number 724, was published by Wm G Hoffman of…
Woodstock, IL Square Park
Several groups of people are seen the Square park, some on benches and some under the Spring House. The original fountain is in the center with the buildings on Benton Street in the background. The stately elm trees dominate the scene.
The…
The…
Woodstock, IL City Hall (Opera House) - L.T. Hoy
This colorized postcard shows the City Hall/Opera House sometime between 1889, when it was built, until 1912 when the Square streets were paved and new lights with globes were installed. The older type of light, with a tall pole and small lights…
City Hall, Woodstock, IL. Pearson-Ullberg
This photo shows the City Hall/Opera House with very few details to indicate when it was taken. Since the Pearson-Ullberg company was founded in 1906, it is fair to estimate that it was taken in 1906 or 1907. The company stayed in business until…
Birds Eye View of Town Looking South, Woodstock, IL
This postcard has been colorized by Copy Express, an enhancement that emphasizes the details. The original photo was taken about 1912, when the lights around the Square were installed with several glass globes on the single light pole. In this photo,…
City Hall (Opera House) and Bunker Brothers Building 1907
Nearly identical to "Opera House postcard #6203" by C. R. Childs, this "real photo" postcard includes a broad view of the buildings on Van Buren Street. The A. S. Wright drug store and the Bunker Brothers building signs are clear and easy to…
Oliver Typewriter Factory 711 ca. 1906
This postcard shows the 1906 addition to the Oliver Typewriter factory. It may have been taken later, but the trees are not tall. Three years after the 1903 expansion, this addition added 103' x 80' to the front and east with a gangway connecting the…
Oliver Typewriter Co. 1766 A. Stratton Postcard
1766 The Oliver Typewriter Co. Woodstock, Ill. Photo by A. Stratton
This color postcard was produced between 1902, when the separate office and gateway was built in front of the original factory building, and 1906, when a large addition was…
This color postcard was produced between 1902, when the separate office and gateway was built in front of the original factory building, and 1906, when a large addition was…
Oliver Typewriter Factory in Winter 1905
This photo shows the grounds of the Oliver Typewriter factory as it appeared between 1903 and 1906. The separate Office building was erected in 1902, and the additions to the rear of the original factory were completed in 1903. The snow obscures the…
Oliver Typewriter Machine Model 5
This rather blurred photo of an Oliver Typewriter is a good illustration for the description in the following publication:
HEADLIGHT: SIGHTS & SCENES ALONG THE CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD (1898)
"Oliver Typewriter Co
This is the largest…
HEADLIGHT: SIGHTS & SCENES ALONG THE CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD (1898)
"Oliver Typewriter Co
This is the largest…
Tappan Steam Pump Company
"Energetic efforts of Woodstock's Public Improvement committee, in which a majority of her citizens co-operated, resulted in the location here a year ago of a large manufactory of steam pumps. The Wheeler & Tappan works were established in Chicago…
Power Plant from Wheeler
This photo was taken the same time as the Power Plant from the Railroad before 1962. It is similar to the other photos taken in the 1950s.
After the city sold the power plant to Commonwealth Edison in 1963, this building was sold to the Eltra…
After the city sold the power plant to Commonwealth Edison in 1963, this building was sold to the Eltra…
Power Plant from the Railroad Tracks
This photo of the city's Power and Light plant on Wheeler Street and First Street has few clues for identifying the date. The buildings are the same as in other power plant photos taken in the 1950s, but are taken from a different angle. There is no…
Woodstock Power and Light Plant - 1954
This photo of the Woodstock Power and Light Plant on Wheeler and First Streets is nearly identical to the Power Plant ca 1956 photo. The coal is stored behind a chain-link fence rather than a concrete wall. Neighboring houses are visible in the…
Oliver Typewriter Type Bar Mounting Department - 1907
The men in the photo are attaching the keys on the typewriter to the metal arms that control the type bars (also called strikers). Each striker has a metal letter on the end corresponding to the key that strikes the inked ribbon and leaves an…
Woodstock High School Baseball Team in 1923
L-R Back Row: Larry Reed, Fred Wells, Clarence Olson, Karl Moritz, Lynn Sweetland, John McConnell, Elmer Miner, George Moriarty, Caroll Sherburne, Clarence Foote, Howard Courier
Front: Irvin Hecht, Dwight Stussey, Kenneth Gay, Raymond Jensen.
Front: Irvin Hecht, Dwight Stussey, Kenneth Gay, Raymond Jensen.
Central School Classroom
Central School classroom when the school was the Junior High School. The plaster wall friezes are still in the stairwell to the second floor at City Hall.
120 W. South Street
120 W. South Street
Woodstock's Singing Mouse
A mouse, caught at the Chicago Industrial Home for Children in Woodstock in 1936, brought fame and a bit of fortune to the city and the Children's Home.
An article in Time magazine, December 28, 1936, tells the best version of the…
An article in Time magazine, December 28, 1936, tells the best version of the…
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…
Corner of Benton and E. Judd
The brick buildings on the northeast corner of North Benton and East Judd house several businesses and offices. At the time this photo was taken, the street in front was called Lumber Street.
The building on the right was known as the Dacy Block,…
The building on the right was known as the Dacy Block,…
1893 Plat of the contiguous territory annexed to the City of Woodstock, County of McHenry and State of Illinois, February 3rd A.D. 1893
1893 Plat of the contiguous territory annexed to the City of Woodstock, County of McHenry and State of Illinois, February 3rd A.D. 1893 as was included in the circa 1890s Ordinances
1908-1916 Proceedings of the Woodstock City Council
1908-1916 Proceedings of the City Council Woodstock in two parts
Newspaper clipping were pasted onto the following pages: 150, 287, 288, 329, 402, 426, and 427
Newspaper clipping were pasted onto the following pages: 150, 287, 288, 329, 402, 426, and 427
1893-1908 Proceedings of the Woodstock City Council
1893-1908 Proceedings of the Woodstock City Council in two parts
Map glued into place between pages 16 and 17.
Blank check/receipt for City Auditor found on page 427. Fill in date "191_”
Two tickets that read “Special Assessment No. 23 Interest…
Map glued into place between pages 16 and 17.
Blank check/receipt for City Auditor found on page 427. Fill in date "191_”
Two tickets that read “Special Assessment No. 23 Interest…
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…
1874-1893 Minutes for the City Council of Woodstock
Records October 2, 1874 through May 5, 1893 City of Woodstock. Includes a listing of Legal Voters for areas of Dorr sections 5, 6, and 7 being annexed into the City in February 1893 beginning page 552
Courthouse Dome- Views from 1900-2014
This photograph showcases the evolution of Woodstock Square Park and the surrounding businesses across more than a century. The photographer's perspective from the dome is facing towards the southeast end of the Square in both 1900 and 2014.
Courthouse Dome- Interior Attic
A photograph from the interior of the courthouse dome. The interior of the dome is accessible from the courthouse's attic.
Courthouse Dome- Exterior Support Pillars
A photograph of the courthouse dome's exterior support pillars. These pillars secure the dome to the building's roof.
Courthouse Dome- Exterior Trim
In this photograph, the malleability of copper is on full display. The hammered down edges along the rim help provide a water-tight seal protecting the dome from water damage. The strength, durability, and versatility of copper as a building material…
Courthouse Dome- Copper Exterior
As part of the 2014 renovation, the courthouse's dome was fitted with an outer layer of copper to protect the dome from both the elements as well as lightning strikes. Copper is frequently used on domes due to its high tensile strength and…
Courthouse Dome- Views to the East
The view from the top of the courthouse's dome. The structure of the dome was renovated in 2014 with new paint and a new copper exterior. This photograph was taken to provide perspective to the height of the dome. Woodstock Square Park is featured in…
New Floor for Jail Basement
A primary goal of the Jail's basement renovation was to refurbish the floor. The previous concrete slab in the basement was significantly degraded and could not be safely used by the building's tenants.
Jail Basement Receives New Support Pillars
This particular section of the Jail basement needed new support beams to safely bear the load of the floor above. In the photograph, crew employees can be seen securing the new support braces into the concrete below.
Sheriff Residence & Jail Basement (Pre-Renovation)
Many areas of the basement of the Sheriff Residence & Jail required extensive repairs. This section of the basement lacked load-bearing beams at critical junctures requiring additional bracing to add support. In addition, it also required a new floor…
Woodstock Public Library Logo
Logo of Woodstock Public Library. No contact info; symbol only on a white background.
Old Courthouse Center, 1857-2023
The renovation of the Old Courthouse/ Sheriff's Residence & Jail is also a rebranding effort as well. The newly remodeled building has been renamed as the Old Courthouse Center to reflect its new role as an economic incubator.
Eugene Debs and Old McHenry County Jail
A plaque detailing Eugene Debs' time in the McHenry County Jail as well as why he was sentenced to jail. Transcript:Eugene Debs and the Old McHenry County JailThe 1894 Pullman Strike and boycott of Pullman railcars led by the American Railway Union…
Nellie Bly
Photograph of Nellie Bly (Pseudonym of Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman), (1867-1922); head and shoulders.
Keys to Eugene V Debs Woodstock Jail Cell
In November 1895, upon his release from the McHenry County Jail, Sheriff George Eckert presented Eugene V Debs with the keys to his cell. During the Villains or Heroes: Pullman vs Debs Fest in Woodstock in 2018, the Debs Foundation brought the keys…
1st Floor of Jail (Post-Renovation)
The first floor kitchen of the Sheriff's Residence & Jail after the renovation. Among the new tenants, a restaurant is slated to begin operating by early August 2023.
1st Floor of Jail (Pre-Renovation)
The first floor of the Sheriff's Residence & Jail prior to the renovation. The steel bars on the windows are from the building's past and serve as a reminder of the vital role that the Sheriff's Residence and Jail played in securing suspects…
Exterior Connector Structure Completed
The exterior structure of the new building connector is nearing completion with windows being framed to allow for ample natural light to the stairwell.
Exterior Connector Nearing Completion
Connecting stairwell between both buildings nears completion; elevator shaft added to improve accessibility. A primary goal of the new renovation was to update the building to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. An elevator is…
Exterior Steel Works Constructed
In preparation for a new stairwell to join the Old Courthouse and Sheriff's Residence/ Jail, the construction crew prepares an exterior steel structure.
Old Courthouse's New Parking Lot Completed
Located across the street from the Old Courthouse Center, the newly-paved parking lot has been a welcomed addition to the downtown area of Woodstock.
Old Courthouse's New Parking Lot Retrofitted with Geothermal Technology
The renovation includes the construction of geothermal vents underneath the parking lot to provide low-cost heating and cooling for the Old Courthouse Center. At a specific depth, the temperature underground is stable year around regardless of…
Southwest Corner of Courthouse Roof & Gutters
The extensive damage to the Courthouse's roof was a driving force behind the City's motivations to renovate the property. Moisture from rain and humidty was able to enter the building unabated leading to excessive damage in many parts of the…