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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…
Old Courthouse and Jail Exterior
After its conversion from government building to privately-operated site, the Old Courthouse and Jail became home to restaurants and retail stores alike.
Courthouse "Rubble Room" Receives New Ceiling Supports
While in the process of renovating the Courthouse, the construction crew installed new ceiling support beams in key places along the basement to join several walkways together.
Courthouse "Rubble Room" Rebuild
The construction crew is in the process of rebuilding a section of the Courthouse's basement. The room's lack of a ceiling prevented three walkways from being joined together.
Courthouse Ceiling Complete- Air Intake Installed
Courtroom ceiling was restored to its former glory with a fresh ceiling, new paint, and a rebuilt air intake system.
Courtroom Ceiling Demolition
Photograph of courthouse's courtroom ceiling post-demolition. The exposed rafters indicate a total renovation of the ceiling.
Lower Level of Jail Receives New Concrete Floor
Staff from Elliot Concrete work to replace the Jail's lower level concrete floor. Employees in the photograph are seen leveling the newly poured concrete to ensure a smooth surface. The newly renovated Old Courthouse Center is expected to maintain a…
Panorama View of Jail Basement (Post-Renovation)
A panorama view of the Sheriff Residence & Jail's basement in the process of being renovated. Metal framing can be seen in the back, new subfloor has been laid, and doors were installed as well.
Panorama View of Jail Basement (Pre-Renovation)
Prior to the renovation, the Sheriff Residence & Jail's basement was in an unusable state. From unlevel ground to exposed piping, the basement was unable to be used by tenants.
Courtroom Re-Painted
The Old Courthouse's courtroom was in need of a new paint job due to the moisture damage caused by the hole in the roof.
Courtroom Plaster Demolition
The plaster was removed from the Old Courthouse's main courtroom. The room is being prepared for new primer, paint, and trim.
Courthouse Tin Ceiling Repairs
The repairs to the Courthouse's tin ceiling were completed by the team at Bulley & Andrews. The crew attached new tin squares to the ceiling to recreate the design of the Old Courthouse.
Courthouse Tin Ceiling Prior to Renovation
The tin ceiling of the Courthouse was in rough shape prior to the renovation project. Much of the damage stemmed from moisture entering the building through a hole in the roof near the flag pole.
Courthouse Tin Ceiling Primed and Painted
Prior to the renovation, the tin ceiling of the courthouse's courtroom was extensively damaged from a hole in the roof. In this photograph, the ceiling was primed and painted, restoring the ceiling to its previous condition.
Photograph of Woodstock Courthouse (2013)
Exterior photograph of the McHenry County's Old Courthouse & Jail.
Jail Demolition- Interior
Holding cells in the basement from the Jail's past were demolished in preparation for the renovation. The worker in this photograph can be seen using a power tool to cut through the cell bars.
