109 E. Van Buren A. S. Wright: Drugs & Medicines. The history of this business: Green Front Drug Store was opened by Cyrus B. Durfee in 1851 who took Chris Walters as partner. Between 1854 and 1857, Dr. Baldwin was involved. Baldwin sold out and Durfee & Walters opened a dry goods store. In 1867, Dr. Stone bought C. B. Durfee's store. "Several years later" sold to Dr. Adams until Adams death. J. S. Wheat & A. S. Wright bought the stock and operated as Wheat & Wright to 1880 and then as A. S. Wright to 1885 (from 1885 history). The striped pole indicates there was a barber shop in the building.
107 E. Van Buren: I. T. Salisbury Groceries & Provisions: Established in 1866 and sold to Russ Cotton in 1888 due to the death of A. T. Salisbury
105 E. Van Buren: Murphy's Drugs, Books & Stationery (was Wheat & Murphy Drugs 1880-1883). Blossom's Jewelry ( with large clock on street and on roof sign). They advertised together as Murphy & Blossom in 1885. The letters GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) show on the third floor windows. They might be temporary and part of the mourning decorations.
103 E. Van Buren: IOOF Odd Fellows (Oddfellows) Hall on upper floor. The post office was located in this building.
There are men and boys posing in front of every building. The photo is taken from a significant height]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Square and Main Street to 1900 notebook]]> Back of photo: "This block of buildings on the south side of square built in 1853. In one of the upper stories over the drug store was Phoenix Hall where many church organizations conducted their services until they had buildings of their own. Pratt House-about 1864" [111 E. Van Buren] Note--the date on the back of the photo and the location "above the drug store" may be incorrect.
From Sesquicentennial photo exhibit:
Some of the oldest buildings remaining on the Square on Van Buren Street. The eastern half of the south side burned in 1851 and these fine brick buildings replaced the old wood structures. The fourth story no longer exists (the cupola burned in 1893) and the buildings have had several “modern” facades but they are still there. “Phoenix Hall” was located in one of the upper stories where many church organizations conducted their services until they had buildings of their own. Note the small shop on the right where the Opera House was built 30 years later."
Clues for dating the photo:
Phoenix Hall built 1852 [115 E. Van Buren -117 E. Van Buren]
Two brick buildings to the east built 1853 [107 E. Van Buren, 109 E. Van Buren,111 E. Van Buren,113 E. Van Buren] by C. B. Durfee and Alonzo Anderson
After 1861 (Woodstock Democrat and McHenry County Advocate newspapers merged to become McHenry County Union October 4, 1861) [117 E. Van Buren]
Before 1869 (Blossom's established) 115 E. Van Buren
Ca. 1870 when Pratt House fixtures and furnishings were auctioned [Sentinel 3-13-1937 Sec 3 p 3]. This presumes that the sign remained after the auction so it could be as late as 1871 after the fire.

The Woodstock House.
This popular house, of which Mr. PATTY is the proprietor, has recently received an addition of some nineteen new rooms in an upward direction, culminating in a very neat and tastily finished observatory, from which may be had a very extensive view, in all directions, of the finest country that lies under the sun. Internally, the arrangements for the inner man are as perfect as the markets can afford, and to our certain knowledge, liberal applications have been made during the past season, to the Chicago market, for luxuries in advance of our sluggish climate. The host and hostess being both of the benevolent turn that delights in the consciousness that their guests are full fed and comfortable, any one may safely confide himself to their hospitality with the assurance that lie will come off in a most excellent state of preservation. Commend US to the tempting Breakfasts, Dinners and Suppers of the PATTY HOUSE, and besides that wo should judge by the smell that they have some very tasteful and kindly cigars.
(November 20, 1856 - Woodstock Sentinel)
]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Square and Main Street to 1900 notebook. Also in Oversized Photos box.]]> Blossom's Jewelry was established in 1868. [117 E. Van Buren]. The photo could have been taken as late as 1871 just before Bunker Brothers moved into the building after the fire of October 8, 1871 and Blossom's Jewelry moved to 107 E. Van Buren.
The Post Office was located in the Woodstock House [111 E. Van Buren] in 1865. Note the mail cart in the left corner.
Union Printing Office was established 1861 and was succeeded by New Era Printing in 1873 [117 E. Van Buren]. Woodstock House was established in 1857and became Pratt House around 1866. The July 8, 1869 Sentinel did an article on its advertisers which said that Pratt had been under the present propriotorship for the last 3 years. All its fixtures and furnishings were auctioned and sold in 1870.
Roof sign: Drugs & Books
Sentinel Office and Job Printing signs (see photo 34) are not there. The Sentinel office was moved to a stand next to the Post Office in 1858 [Sentinel 3-13-1937 Sec 2 pg 4]
New illegible sign to the left of "Groceries Provisions Drugs & Medicine" sign.
Steeple of the German Lutheran Church on Jefferson St.
Unknown fixture on pillar

The Woodstock House.
This popular house, of which Mr. PATTY is the proprietor, has recently received an addition of some nineteen new rooms in an upward direction, culminating in a very neat and tastily finished observatory, from which may be had a very extensive view, in all directions, of the finest country that lies under the sun. Internally, the arrangements for the inner man are as perfect as the markets can afford, and to our certain knowledge, liberal applications have been made during the past season, to the Chicago market, for luxuries in advance of our sluggish climate. The host and hostess being both of the benevolent turn that delights in the consciousness that their guests are full fed and comfortable, any one may safely confide himself to their hospitality with the assurance that lie will come off in a most excellent state of preservation. Commend US to the tempting Breakfasts, Dinners and Suppers of the PATTY HOUSE, and besides that wo should judge by the smell that they have some very tasteful and kindly cigars.
(November 20, 1856 - Woodstock Sentinel)
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In Square & Main Street to 1900 notebook. Also in Oversized photo box.]]>
This is the height of pre-Vatican II architecture.

Compare this photo with ID 22 when the church was first built in 1910.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Photos 1921-1950 notebook]]> It is not clear enough to determine if there is one track or two, so it is possible that it was taken before 1897 when the second half of the tunnel was completed.

A two story wooden house, since demolished, is on the left of the photo.

The South St. tunnel (culvert/viaduct) is a helicoidal or spiral stone arch. One part was completed in 1867 and the other (over the other train track) was finished in 1897.
Allen Stebbins, Chair of the Woodstock Historic Preservation Commission, provided this insight to the tunnel (or "Culvert"):
"The South St. Culvert as it has been called was built in two
sections. The first in 1867 when the Chicago & Northwestern built a single rail line out this way and the second section 30 years later in 1897 when they expanded to a second line. That's why the two dates on the keystones. I've started collecting some historic records on this bridge.
"What's unusual is both sections were built in what's known as a helicoidal or spiral arch method. These arches are extremely rare in the United States built when a road or railroad crossed another road or river at an angle and at an incline. It posed some real problems for the engineers who looked back to the ancient Romans for ideas to solve the problem and rediscovered the spiral arch! Basically all the engineering up front needed to be pretty precise and once designed the stonemasons cut all the stones exactly the same dimensions then laid them in the spiral arch (oftentimes without the need of any mortar.) These types of arches are extremely strong and durable as witnessed by some of the ancient Roman examples still standing.
"In the United States there are only a few known examples–some in Pennsylvania and the Seventh Street Improvement Arches in Minneapolis. These are listed as landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. The South St. Culvert is in the historic district and I would like to see it nominated as a national landmark, but do know Union Pacific opposes it. They do have plans in the future to expand the rail lines to three from Barrington all the way out to Harvard when they ultimately put in the Woodstock rail yard. ..."
The tunnel is architecturally and historically significant. The tunnel should be designated a Landmark by the City of Woodstock and preserved, as is the Woodstock Opera House.
Note the City's motto: "True to its past...confident of its future." Will The People prevail in the case of preserving the tunnel, or will the tunnel meet the same fate as Grace Hall?" [Woodstock Advocate blog, Gus Philpott]
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In Photos 1850-1900 notebook]]> Neill Donnelly's store was demolished in 1887 to make room for the Sheriff's House.
Neill Donnelly retired as Sheriff in 1851 and started in general merchandizing until his death in 1889. His General Store, also known as the N. Donnelly Cheap Cash Store, was built at approximately the same time as the courthouse in 1857.
Sentinel sign shows in the 1866 photo of the north east side of the Square ID 33. However, in that photo the business is Drugs, Medicines, Books & Stationery.
In 1869, the Woodstock Sentinel lists the advertisers in the Excelsior Block (100 Cass): No. 2 Sherwood Dry Goods and No. 4 E. A. Murphy & Co. Dry Goods. The Sentinel was No. 1 Excelsior Block.
100 Cass Woodstock Sentinel
115 N. Johnson Neill Donnelly's General Store]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Oversized Photo box with a print in the Square & Main Street to 1900 notebook]]> Neill Donnelly's Cheap Cash Store was built about the same time as the courthouse. It was torn down in 1887 to make room for the Sherriff's residence [115 N. Johnson]. Note the two story building where Cass Street now extends to Throop Street. The building on the far right with the awnings is 132 Cass.
The wooden house on the left of the photo is the location for the Misses Donnelly Hat Shop, It was torn down in 1928 for the new Montgomery Ward department store [Notes for Sesquicentennial p.135] 110 S. Johnson
Note that the paths in the Square Park are laid out in a cross shape with no diagonals which were added later.
A September 7, 1859 news article in the Woodstock Sentinel reported that the dome of the courthouse had just been painted white.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> Photo print on paper - Excellent Condition
File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Square and Main Street to 1900 notebook]]>
Woodstock Brewery & Bottling Works was founded about 1858 to bottle beer. A photo of the building is on page 15 of Headlight Sights & Scenes (ca. 1898) along with a history.

May 8 "Fire Wipes Out Main Building of Woodstock Brewery: - 5:30 a.m. last Monday -origin unknown (Woodstock Brewing & Bottling Co.). City water main reaches only within about3000 feet of building and city only has about 2000 feet of hose, so unable to "thrown a stream onto the blaze". Also, the boiler in the brewery was cold so not possible to get water from that source until steam was generated - at least an hour before any water could be put on the fire. Mayor Jewett called Harvard for help - they arrived 1 1/2 hours later & connected their hose to Woodstock's, so water could finally be utilized, but main building ("malt house") already gone. Able to save nearby bottling house, ice house and stables. Loss estimate $70,000 with $32,000 insurance. Brewery had also supplied many homes with ice for a number of years. [Notes for 2002 Sesqui History pp 62-62]

"Some time after the fire above described, a blaze was discovered at the brewery of Zimmer, Herman & Co., on Washington street, a large part of which was totally destroyed, in spite of the valiant efforts of the fire department, whose members had a long ways to go by foot to reach the scene. The company never rebuilt the establishment, but Emil Arnold, its secretary for many years, maintained the ice business there until his death, the company having maintained a lake adjoining the brewery for the harvest of ice of a good quality. This brewery was an employer of considerable labor during its maintainance and provided a market for much of the grain raised by farmers in the community". [Wdstk Sentinel 3-13-1937 Sed. 3 p.1]
]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> Kirk Dawdy]]> In Photos 1900-1920 notebook
Small sepia print on cardboard]]> MEDLAR'S STUDIO]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Oversized Photo Box]]> Signed by many class members on the back of the photo]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Oversized Box]]> The picture was taken at the corner of Clay and W. First streets.
The back of the truck has an elaborate display of paint and other products and services offered by the company that was located at 215-217 Main St. since at least 1914.
The frame Greek Revival house was demolished for an expansion of the Alemite/Woodstock Die Casting site. The larger house on the northwest corner is still standing.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Photos 1921-1950 notebook]]> 220 N. Benton (faces E. Judd Street) Farm Machinery : T. J. Dacy Farm Machinery
Dacy, T. J. (Timothy)—"A hustler from away back;" conducted implement business at Benton and East Judd streets, destroyed by fire on March 6, 1880, and rebuilt in present structure, after placing fantastic office on corner; village trustee, 1871-3; alderman, 1873-4; fire marshal, 1874, 1876-7 and 1884-5; father of Charles F., (late of Ashville, N. C, and formerly owner of Dacy Lumber Resided on Judd street, facing Hayward. Died Aug. 1, 1896, aged 58 years. [Woodstock Sentinel 3-13-1937 Sec. 4 p7]
222 Church Street but faced Jefferson Street: Presbyterian Church. When the church was built on Calhoun & Tryon in 1882 (to get away from the noise of the trains) the church was used as a store house for Dacy Lumber Company.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> Kirk Dawdy]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Square and Main Street to 1900 notebook]]> The fire started by a disgruntled employee of Whitson's Hardware (124 N. Benton, now Lloyd's) and destroyed all of Benton street from E. Jackson to E. Judd. This photo was taken by Medlar, probably from his window on the upper floor of 100 Cass.
The buildings in the background include Bunker Brothers 111 E. Van Buren, Wheat & Wright 109 E. Van Buren and other businesses.
The Square park shows the white fence installed in 1858
The roof of the German Lutheran church on Jefferson Street is visible]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> Kirk Dawdy]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Square & Main Street to 1900 notebook]]> Stereoptican photograph looks south from Medlar's window at 100 Cass.

Date clues:
Bunker Brothers Hardware [111 E. Van Buren] 1872
Phoenix Mills [117 E. Van Buren] in 1872 atlas drawing
Blossom moved to 107 E. Van Buren in 1872 (sign down)
New Era Printing November 1873 -1878
House on Dean Street visible

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In Square and Main Street to 1900 notebook]]>