Emerson Typewriter Co. was founded in Momence, Illinois in 1909 and moved to Woodstock in 1910. City subscribers raised $30,000 to purchase the land and build this 25,000 square foot building. Alvah Roebuck (of Sears and Roebuck Dept. Store) became a partner and the company was renamed Roebuck Typewriter Co. for a very short time. In 1913, the company was again renamed, this time to Woodstock Typewriter and was headed by Alvah Roebuck. The Woodstock Typewriter differed from the Oliver Typewriter in that it had a universal standard keyboard with a single shift and the letters were fully visible. An electric typewriter was manufactured in 1925 but was discontined because of a lack of trained service persons in the field. They tried again in 1949 and again discontinued the product for the same reason in 1957.
Alger Hiss was convicted of lying to the House Unamerican Committee about his connection to the American Communist Party because of the unique letter A on a typewritten note--he was using a Woodstock Typewriter.
Century America bought the company in 1949 but kept the Woodstock Typewriter name. In 1950, R.C. Allen Business Machines bought the factory and changed the name. R. C. Allen ended typewriter production in 1971 after producing an estimated 1 million typewriters.
Woodstock Wireworks (known locally as the lampshade factory) took over the building in 1972.
The building was converted into Emerson Lofts in 2006.]]> Teich, Curt]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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In Postcards Notebook]]> Better color version donated by Jim Keefe

The date is determined by the postcard number 117104 and confirmed by the awning that reads "Eckert & Bending Groceries." This firm bought out Mead and Charles in 1927.]]> Teich, Curt]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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Reverse identification: City Hall Building and Theatre, Woodstock, Illinois. Genuine Curteich-Chicago "C.T. Art-Colortone" Post Card (Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.)

This postcard was taken during the era of the "Woodstock Players" (Paul Newman, Betsy Palmer, Geraldine Page, Shelly Burman, Tom Bosley and Lois Nettleton.) The cupola is missing as is the portico. The sign in the brick says City Hall and Library. There is a neon "Theatre" sign over the left front door. The adjacent building has a tile façade and jeweled glass under a large plate glass window, but no signage. The A & P grocery store has no identification. Contemporary pictures show Super A&P Market in large lettering on the building. The Western United Gas and Electric (later Nicor) really did not have signage.
Parking meters line the brick street.

1951 is pencilled on the back-presumably from the Teich inventory number.
121 W. Van Buren Woodstock City Hall and Theatre
127 W. Van Buren Western United Gas and Electric Company
129 W. Van Buren Great A & P Supermarket]]> Teich, Curt]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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This school was built in 1921 and opened in February, 1922. The Sentinel article called it a "beautiful architectural achievement." It was the third elementary school at the time after Clay Street and Central School. Woodstock High School was built around the same time.

This photo, taken in 1928 by Curt Teich, is colorized and almost looks like a drawing. The number 117099N indicates that it was taken in 1928 and this is a reprint. The postmark is dated 1947.]]> Teich, Curt]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

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This building was built in 1912 after a previous armory on Calhoun between Dean & Jefferson was destroyed by fire in 1910. Used by Woodstock Company G, of the 3rd Illinois Regiment during World Wars I and II. When not being used as an armory it was used for "mercantile purposes," dances, and even roller skating. It was replaced by the Armory on 1301 Sunset Ridge Rd near Route 14 in 1991. It was turned into condos in 2003.

Woodstock Armory postcard taken by Curt Teich in 1916. The number 66934-N indicates that it is a reprint. The postmark is 1945.


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