Browse Items (499 total)
- Collection: Historical Photographs
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Welcome Home 1919 Courthouse with Tent
This photo of the Courthouse and Sheriff's House decorated for the Welcome Home celebration also shows a vendor's tent in the northwest corner of the Square park.
Wall of Honor WWII 1943
A wooden sign surrounding the Civil War Monument (also known as the Soldier's Monument) listed the names of men and women serving in the armed forces from Woodstock. In 1944, approximately 1200 names were listed on the "Honor Roll" including 18…
Unidentified man, horse, wagon 130 Washington
A man stands next to his horse and wagon that is beside the apartment building at 130-134 Washington St. He is near the Chicago & Northwestern depot (which is behind him). Today there is a sidewalk that allows access from Washington St. and the Metra…
Unidentified drug store with books
This tantalizing interior of a drug store with books on the shelves is a photographic copy of an original that Jim Keefe took. Tantalizing because the Woodstock Literary and Library Association, precurser to the Woodstock Public Library, was founded…
Train Wreck Near Depot, 1904
"This is a picture of a train wreck that happened in downtown Woodstock in July 1904. The square is in the background where the trees are (about southwest). My grandmother is to the right of the shack & my grandfather has his back to her looking at…
Thorne CF interior
The interior of C. F. Thorne taken some years after the photo of the exterior which was dated 1890. William S. (on the left) is an adult and Charles F. (on the right) has aged as well. The gentleman in the middle is Frank Daly. Men's hats are on…
Thorne CF Exterior 1890
This photo of the exterior of the C. F. Thorne Clothing and Shoes store at 108 N. Benton shows five members of the family. William S. Thorne, age 11 stands in front on the left with his father Charles F. Thorne on the top step. The others in the…
Thorne and Son interior 2 men
William S. Thorne, the son in C. F. Thorne and Son, models a hat as does his "customer" Charles Claussen. Four other types of hat are displayed in their hands and on the counter. The poses and angle seem to suggest that this was intended as an…
Stoplight on Throop
Four men inspect a traffic light on Throop Street at W. Jackson. The only person identified is Lester "Doc" Edinger third from the left. At this time, Throop St. was part of U.S. Route 14, which included Lake Ave., South St., Throop St. and…
St Mary Church ca 1910
In 1905, St. Mary in Woodstock became a separate parish from Crystal Lake and Barrington. Money was raised for a church and the building was completed in 1910. By 1920 the remaining mortgage for the church, $20,000, was paid off through a donation by…
Square, Southeast ca 1877 Bunker Bros.
This photo of Van Buren Street was taken after 1872 when Bunker Brothers moved here after losing their former building by fire on October 8, 1871 that destroyed the west part of Van Buren and the south part of Johnson streets.
All of the businesses…
All of the businesses…
Square with Spring House in snow ca1889
Square park after a light snowstorm looking south from Cass Street (by either Medlar or Tripp from the angle). The Spring House built in 1873 is visible as is the cover for the iron fountain built around 1880. There are diagonal sidewalks as well as…
Square south east at night in snow 1950s
Taken from the upper windows of the Opera House, this shows the intersection of Dean & Van Buren at night during a snow fall. Only a few cars are parked (one looks like a 1952 or 1953 model). The only identifiers are "Woodstock Grill" in business…
Square South and East side 1881 snow
Looking toward the southeast side of the Square from in front of Murphy Block 101 N. Benton. Taken the same day as the stereoptican ID 45 but later in the day since the snow is piled higher around the lamppost and an advertising sign for Royal St.…
Square bricklaying 1912
Workers are preparing to lay bricks on the Square at Cass and Benton streets. Workmen have dumped wheelbarrows full of rocks which will pave the way for the bricks that will be laid on top. Many bricks are stacked under awnings of Benton St. Two men…
Square Benton at Cass 1900-1910
View of the Square Park and Spring House in winter from the intersection of N. Benton and Cass streets. Partial signs on the Benton street stores include G. Anderson ...and Pressing; ...S Meals; Whitson's; and ...Restaurant. The sign on the side of…
Spring House 1936
The Spring House is in deep shade with the buildings on N. Benton behind it. The caption says it was taken just before it was taken down.
There is a water fountain inside and a few "fishscales" missing from the rof edge.
This photo is mounted…
There is a water fountain inside and a few "fishscales" missing from the rof edge.
This photo is mounted…
Spring House 1885-1912
Close up, slightly faded, photo of the Spring House that has been separated from its cardboard backing. No indication of photographer and difficult to date.
After 1885-the damaged wide boards between the fence posts that appear in the Grant memorial…
After 1885-the damaged wide boards between the fence posts that appear in the Grant memorial…
South Tryon St.
Presumably looking south towards Dean street, there are no identifiable houses.
This postcard is in the same series as ID 175. Black and White: 45494
There is a light pole and electric/telephone wires; these were extended throughout the city…
This postcard is in the same series as ID 175. Black and White: 45494
There is a light pole and electric/telephone wires; these were extended throughout the city…
Snow on the Square Jan 6, 1918
Several young women stand in front of 100 Cass St with a large snowpile where the street should be. Benton Street businesses are in the background.
The date Jan 6, 1918 is pencilled on the back.
110 N. Benton barber shop
112 N. Benton E. E.…
The date Jan 6, 1918 is pencilled on the back.
110 N. Benton barber shop
112 N. Benton E. E.…
Snow on Church St Jan 6 1918
Church St at the tracks crossing Jefferson St is covered with piles of snow. The tracks can barely be seen. The sign says: Look Out for the Cars.
101 Church St P Nester's (saloon)
103 Church St T. Merwin Blacksmith, Horseshoeing
105 Church…
101 Church St P Nester's (saloon)
103 Church St T. Merwin Blacksmith, Horseshoeing
105 Church…
Sherman Jewelry-Ed. Lindsy's Comedy Concert
The members of Ed. Lindsey's Comedy Concert Company stand in front of Sherman Jewelers at 104 N. Benton St. Eight band members hold brass instruments and drums. The name of the group is lettered on a drum.
The signs read: Sherman the…
The signs read: Sherman the…
Princess Theatre Interior
This photo was printed on the same paper Item #324: "Princess Theatre 1924", so it may have been taken in 1924 with the exterior photo. However, it is very similar to a Kurt Teich postcard dated 1916.
Princess Theatre 1924
Princess Theatre opened in 1911 and the original building was torn down in 1927. This photo was taken in 1924, identified by the poster "Harold Lloyd's "Shy Girl."
203 Main
209 Main: Princess Theatre
203 Main
209 Main: Princess Theatre
Power Plant 1937
Power and Light Plant as seen from W. First Street. The plant was begun in 1893 and finished in 1895 in response to the need for fire protection:
"After the big fire of 1893 a public agitation began for the establishment of an efficient system of…
"After the big fire of 1893 a public agitation began for the establishment of an efficient system of…
Post Office 1937
Post Office viewed from Calhoun Street
124 S. Johnson
124 S. Johnson
Park Restaurant 126 N Benton
Old photos of 126 N. Benton show it to be the only building in the block between East Jackson and East Judd streets without arched windows and a brick cornice (such as in the building to the right). The northwest corner of the original storefront had…
Park and East Side of Square ca 1907
This postcard was printed after 1907 when postal regulations were changed to permit writing a message on the back as well as the address.
It shows the Square park from the west entrance on Johnson St. with mature trees, a dark-red colorized…
It shows the Square park from the west entrance on Johnson St. with mature trees, a dark-red colorized…
Opera House front and side 1890s
Fuzzy photo of Opera House when it was newly constructed as City Hall. The actual date is unknown. The building exterior is complete but there is no landscaping. Shows both the front on Van Buren and the side on Dean Street. A man stands on the Dean…
Opera House front 1890s
Front of the Opera House and C.W. Hill Horse Shoeing. Shows the original cupola, portico and fire bell.
Shows a fire hydrant in the bottom right corner, thus dating it as 1895 or later.
Blacksmith Chauncy Hill (1858-1938) came to Woodstock in 1888…
Shows a fire hydrant in the bottom right corner, thus dating it as 1895 or later.
Blacksmith Chauncy Hill (1858-1938) came to Woodstock in 1888…
Opera House and Van Buren 1909
Dark and blurred photo from a postcard titled "Van Buren St., South Side of Square, Woodstock, Ill."
Uncle Tom's Cabin poster with date Mar 31, Wednesday. This combination of date and day occurred in 1897, 1909, and 1915, but Good Friday fell on…
Uncle Tom's Cabin poster with date Mar 31, Wednesday. This combination of date and day occurred in 1897, 1909, and 1915, but Good Friday fell on…
Opera House 1889-93 aerial view
Taken from the roof of the Courthouse, this shows a new Opera House with neighboring businesses on Van Buren street and Johnson street. A corner of the public school and several residences on Dean street are visible.
After 1889-Opera House…
After 1889-Opera House…
Old School With Students stereoptican
Students and teachers pose in front of the brick school on South Street sometime between 1867 when the building was erected and 1919 when the building burned.
The clothing indicates that is was closer to 1866 than 1919.
The back is stamped…
The clothing indicates that is was closer to 1866 than 1919.
The back is stamped…
Odd Fellows Temple-Post Office
WOODSTOCK POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES IN 1912 From left to right: Carriers John Fosdick, John Paulsen, W. S. Battern, W. N. McNett, E, C. Brooks, G. C. Barden, C. B. Shearer, E. E. Stevens, W. S. Blanchard, A. H. Herdklotz, E. H. Friend, John W. McConnell…
Odd Fellows Temple colorized
The Odd Fellows Temple was built in 1906 on the southeast corner of E. Jackson St at the corner of S. Jefferson. This postcard emphasizes the brick with a bright red color. The adjacent Sherman Block is colored yellow while its crenelated tower is…
North Tryon St postcard 45496
View of North Tryon St at the intersection of West Judd street. Only identifiable house is on the right: 314 W. Judd, home of attorney John Mullen.
Date & photographer unknown. Number on back is 45496 and Black & White is written between the…
Date & photographer unknown. Number on back is 45496 and Black & White is written between the…
North side of Square with 3 children
Three young people stroll down a "sidewalk" on Benton street with the Hoy Block behind them. The young woman wears leg o mutton sleeves which became popular in the mid 1890s. They were out of fashion by 1906, the same year that the Odd Fellows (IOOF…
Mead & Charles 1899-1928
Mead and Charles Groceries Fruits & Vegetables was located at 107 S. Benton for almost 30 years. Seven men pose in front of the store, presumably the employees. This copy of the original photo is not clear enough so that clues that the sign on the…
McHenry Co State Bank and HA Stone's Shoe Store
Three men stand in front of the frame building at 108 Cass. This was the last wood frame building on the Square which would burn in 1936. Wien's replaced it in 1937 with the brick building that became the Tip Top Café in the movie Groundhog Day.
…
…
McConnell Country Realty Jefferson St 1970s
Three painted brick buildings on Jefferson St. back up to the Square. The McConnell Country Realty, 108 S. Jefferson, takes up the two right portions. A. B. McConnell specialized in country estates and farms according to his ad in the 1972 phone…
Main St color ca 1964
The north end of Main Street taken from the intersection with Church/Washington in the winter.
Farm & Fleet moved from here (231 Main) to Route 47 in 1972.
The photo is not crisp enough to identify other businesses.
Farm & Fleet moved from here (231 Main) to Route 47 in 1972.
The photo is not crisp enough to identify other businesses.
Looking west from Central School
Bird's Eye View: According to Jim Keefe, this photo was taken from Central School, now City Hall, in 1910. A later copy of this photo was dated 1920.
Looking East on Jackson Street
This is a photo reproduction of a postcard showing a tree lined street that could be anywhere.
The date on the back is Oct. 1914
An original of the postcard on Cardcow.com shows that it was taken by E. C. Kropp with a postmark of 1915.
The date on the back is Oct. 1914
An original of the postcard on Cardcow.com shows that it was taken by E. C. Kropp with a postmark of 1915.
Jackson Street from Throop
Snow scene with sleigh looking west down Jackson St.
301 W. Jackson (Major Southworth house) is visible.
Pencilled note on back dates it as 1900-1910
301 W. Jackson (Major Southworth house) is visible.
Pencilled note on back dates it as 1900-1910
Hall & Eckert Lumber Yard fire 1908
One of the most stubborn fires ever tackled by the local department occurred on the morning of Friday, April 17, 1905, when incendiaries touched off a blaze at the Hall & Eckert lumber yard, bounded by the railroad, East Judd and Madison streets. At…
Greenwood Cemetery
Undated photo of Greenwood cemetery. Both the sign and fence are different than the current ones.
From Courthouse Roof 1900-1902
Taken from the roof of the old courthouse, this shows only one existing Square building at 130 Cass Street which the State Bank of Woodstock erected in 1889. The other clue to the date of the photo is the long light colored building in the distance…
Fire at Hall and Eckert 1908
The remains of the fire at Hall & Eckert lumber yard at Madison and E. Jackson streets in 1908. Since the tracks run at the bottom of the photo, we are viewing it from Jefferson St. Jim thought the unknown photographer was standing on the roof of the…
Field Hardware on Main St
This store at 213 Main Street was Whitson's Hardware from 1910 until it was purchased by Edward J. Field from his great uncles in 1919. He remained here until the property was purchased in 1929 for the expansion of the Miller Theater after which he…
Evans Meat Market 1929
The interior of Evens Meat market, dated 1929 on back. The name Harold Evans is also on the back.
There are several intriguing items in the photo. There is a cash window on the right with a sign saying "Thank you call again" which indicates they…
There are several intriguing items in the photo. There is a cash window on the right with a sign saying "Thank you call again" which indicates they…