Browse Items · Woodstock Public Library Archives

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…

Tags: Businesses, Houses, Jackson Street - West

May 15 1903 | Canute Lee Sells Blacksmith Shop

Scan of an article that appeared in the May 15, 1903 edition of the McHenry County Republican newspaper regarding the sale of a blacksmith shop near the McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock, IL.

Canute Lee has sold his blacksmith shop opposite the courthouse Wm. Parker, and old and experienced blacksmith, who will conduct the business in the future.

Tags: 1900s, Businesses, McHenry County Republican Newspaper, Newspaper Article

Woodstock residential and classified directory (1922-1923)

The Woodstock residential and classified directory, 1922-1923, containing the names and addresses of all residents. Also phone number of representative business and professional men [sic] of Woodstock and vicinity.

Tags: 1900s, Businesses, Houses

Midge's Café

Circa 1950s black and white photograph of a two story brick building on the corner of Clay and Church streets at 101 Church St. The front window has a sign that says 'Midge's Cafe'.

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Church Street

Cass Street World War 1 Homecoming Celebration, 1919

1919 black and white photograph of a three story brick building on Cass Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The building is decorated in patriotic flags and buntings for a homecoming celebration for local soldiers who fought in World War 1.

On June 10, 1919 the city of Woodstock Illinois hosted a Homecoming Celebration for McHenry County's returning soldiers, sailors and marines from World War I.

Hoy’s Pharmacy was in business for many years, succeeded by Pfeiffer’s, Gibson’s and…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Borden's Condensed Milk Plant on Washington Street, 1908

1908 black and white photograph of a large wooden building used as a condensed milk processing plant located in Woodstock, Illinois. In the foreground are a set of railroad tracks.

In 1903, the Borden's Condensed Milk company sent a delegation which included representatives of the Chicago and North Western railway to search for a suitable site to build a factory in Woodstock. After consulting with prominent citizens, Mayor E.…

Tags: 1900s, Breweries, Buildings, Businesses, Industry, Milk and Dairy, Washington Street

Fourth of July Tug of War, 1910

1910 black and white photograph of a large crowd of people on Main Street in Woodstock, Illinois watcing a tug of war competition. In front of the crowd is one automobile parked on the street and in the background are two and three story brick buildings.

This photo gives a good view of a large portion of Main Street’s east side to the edge of the Square. Note that the far building two stories. Also, this is a good view of the Waverly House (with balconies).

Tags: 1900s, 4th of July, Buildings, Businesses, Main Street, Movie Theatres

Cass St and Benton St Stores, circa 1916

Circa 1916 black and white photograph of the two and three story brick buildings on the corner of Cass and Benton Streets, Woodstock, Illinois. A few pedestrians are seen walking on the sidewalks.

This photo of the northeast corner of the Square was taken after 1910, when the McHenry County Bank moved out of the west portion of the building so that Stone & Sons shoes occupied the entire space. The globe type electric lamps were installed in…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street

West Side of Square, ca 1860

Circa 1860 black and white photograph of the Woodstock Square Park, the Old McHenry County Courthouse and other brick and wooden buildings on Johnson Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The Square Park has many young trees in it and is surrounded by a white fence.

Oldest known photo of the Courthouse [101 N. Johnson] and newly landscaped (1858-9) Square Park. The Courthouse was built in 1857. There is a description of the courthouse in the February 3, 1858 Woodstock Sentinel.
Neill Donnelly's Cheap Cash Store…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses, Courthouse, Square Park

Woodstock Implement Co decorated truck 1922

1922 black and white potograph of a Woodstock Implement Company work truck. Two men are posing next to the truck that is decorated with U.S.A flags.

Fred G. Bosshardt and Alvin E. Eppel stand beside the Woodstock Implement Company truck decorated with flags, for the Fourth of July parade.
The picture was taken at the corner of Clay and W. First streets.
The back of the truck has an elaborate…

Tags: 1900s, Automobiles, Businesses

Woodstock Dry Goods 1939

Circa 1910-1925 black and white photograph of a two story brick building known as the Church Block on Benton Street, Woodstock, Illinois.

113 S. Benton: Woodstock Dry Goods Company in the Church Block, built by Malachi Church after his livery stable burned in the 1893 fire that destroyed all the buildings on South Benton to East Jackson. Church did not live to occupy the building, but…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses

Woodstock Brewery & Bottling Works Fire

1902 black and white photograph of a burning four story brick building used as a brewery. Several young men are seen sitting on a fence watching the building burn.

Washington Street

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…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Fires

Welcome home Company G 1898

1896 black and white photograph of Benton Street, Woodstock, Illinois. Lining the street are two and three story brick buildings. Strung across the street is a banner that reads welcome home company G, Spanish American war..

"When the electric sign up on the Murphy block, which read 'Welcome Home' when Company G returned from the Spanish American war. That sign caused almost as much excitement as the actual return of the soldier boys themselves, and how proud everyone…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Newspaper Article, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 State Bank & Oddfellows

1919 black and white photograph of two and three story brick buildings on the corner of Benton and Jackson Streets, Woodstock, Illinois. The buildings are decorated with patriotic buntings.

Shows the corner of Cass and E. Jackson streets decorated for the Welcome Home celebration June 10, 1919. See Item #465: "Welcome Home 1919 train depot" for more information

101 S. Benton: State Bank of Woodstock with original crenelated tower of…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 Square Crowd Panorama (left, middle & right)

1919 black and white photograph of the corner of Benton and Cass Streets, Woodstock, Illinois. The two and three story brick buildings in the background are decorated in patriotic buntings. Crowds of people line the street in anticipation of a parade.

LEFT IMAGE - The intersection of Cass and North Benton streets is lined with the crowd that is waiting for the parade to begin. The edge of the reviewing stand is visible along with the back of those sitting on the stand. The rest of the spectators…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, Square Park, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 Murphy Block

1919 black and white photograph of two and three story brick buildings on Benton Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The buildings are decorated with patriotic buntings. Several automobiles and horse and buggies are parked on the brick paved street.

Continuing the tour of the decorations around the Square, this shows Murphy Block and 110 N. Benton.

100 N. Benton: American National Bank
102 N. Benton: Murphy & Doering General Merchandise
106 N. Benton: Lencioni & Bertolozzi Ice Cream and…

Tags: 1900s, Automobiles, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 Cass St.

1919 black and white phogotraph of a three story brick building on Cass Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The building is decorated with patriotic buntings.

Hoy Block decorated for the June 10, 1919 celebration. Banners decorate Cass Street (wire stretches from Benton Street to the Square Park) and all three levels of the building. Two men stand on the sidewalk on North Benton and a part of the Sentinel…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 Cass St Stone Shoes

1919 black and white photograph of a two story wooden building on the corner of Cass and Main Streets, Woodstock, Illinois. The building is decorated with patriotic buntings. A few boys with bicycles are standing in front of the building.

108 Cass
Three boys stand on the sidewalk in front of Stone & Son Shoe Store on June 10, 1919 decorated for the Welcome Home celebration.This was the last frame building on the square until it burned down in 1936.
"Most Recent Bad Fire The last…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 Benton St. South & North

Continuing the tour of the decorations around the Square for the Welcome Home celebration June 10, 1919, this view of Benton Street starts with Mead & Charles Grocery and extends all the way to Church street. Pennants and banners are draped on wires…

Tags: 1900s, Automobiles, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

Welcome Home 1919 Benton St north & Judd St

Fourth photo of Benton Street decorated for the Welcome Home celebration June 10, 1919
110 N. Benton: Schneider & Eckert Barber shop; Gus Anderson Harness Maker
112 N. Benton: E. E. Stone Drug Store
114 N. Benton: Bank
116 N. Benton:
118 N.…

Tags: 1900s, Automobiles, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, World War 1, World War 1 Homecoming Celebration

View in Business Section

Circa 1941-1947 black and white photograph of one and two story brick buildings on Cass Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The photograph was taken from the north-west corner of the Woodstock Square Park. In the park are young and mature trees and bushes. Automobiles are seen parked around the park and in front of the buildings.

Photo taken from inside the Square Park shows the businesses on the west side of Cass St. It can be dated from 1941/2 (A & P groceries replaced by True Value Hardware at 128 Cass) to 1947 as shown by the date on the message.
126 Cass: F. W.…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street

Van Buren St with boys on roller blades May 1997

1997 color photograph of three story brick buildings on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The street is paved with bricks and several cars are parked in front of the buildings.

Two boys emerge from E. Jackson ready to cross Benton St to get to the Square. They are on rollerblades so are resting on the corner flower planter to wait for traffic.

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Van Buren St May 1997

Van Buren St buildings taken from the corner of E. Jackson and Benton.
101 Van Buren Hamer Schuh law office (partial)
103 Van Buren Cobblestones
105 Smith's Children's Shop
107 Hair Directors
109 Blazier's Pharmacy
111 Cobblestones
117…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Van Buren sidewalk widening Opera House 1984

1986 color photograph of work being done on the sidewalk in front of the Woodstock Opera House building on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois.<br />
In the background ar other two and three story brick buildings.

The widening of the sidewalk on Van Buren has not reached the front of the Opera House yet. Bricks, sand, and construction debris are in evidence.

There is a good view of the restaurant on the opposite corner, including the vertical Restaurant…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Van Buren sidewalk widening 1986

1986 color photograph of work being done on the sidewalk in front of a few buildings on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois.

The sidewalk is being expanded on Van Buren from Dean to Johnson streets to match the one on the east side of Dean. Bricks have been removed from the street an metal walkways cover the hole.

The sign on the Wood Bin indicate that they are worried…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Van Buren and South Benton Sts ca 1954

Circa 1954 black and white photograph of the south-east corner of the Woodstock, Illinois square. The streets are paved with bricks and there are a few cars driving and parked on the streets. Two and three story brick buildings line the streets. To the left can be seen a small portion of the Woodstock Square park with mature leafless elm trees.

Continuing the Public Works tour around the city, this photo includes a clue that the photos were taken around 1954. Bohn's added the two-story brick façade that year.
Other businesses include
117 Van Buren Woodstock Grill and
115 Van Buren…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Van Buren and South Benton Streets closeup ca 1954

Closeup version of Item #428: "Van Buren and South Benton Sts"

Continuing the Public Works tour around the city, this photo includes a clue that the photos were taken around 1954. Bohn's added the two-story brick façade that year.
Other…

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Unidentified drug store with books

Circa 1856-1889 black and white photograph of the interior of a drug store in Woodstock, Illinois. The center aisle of the room has a radiator. Either side of the main aisle are shelves and displays with varoius products and items including books. Two men are posing on each side of the aisle behind display counters.

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…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses

Tug of War July Fourth 1910

1910 black and white photograph of a crowd of people and one automobile on Main Street, Woodstock, Illinois. In the bacground are two and three story buildings and also the Woodstock Square Park. The words 'Tug of War, July fourth 1910, Woodstock, Ill." are written on the image. However, with the crowd the tug of war participants are not visible.

People fill Main Street watching the Tug of War, however, no rope is visible. Notice the fashions worn by men, women and children. Bunting and flags decorate the buildings and a car (1905 Buick?) brings up the rear.
Taken from the west sidewalk,…

Tags: 1900s, 4th of July, Automobiles, Buildings, Businesses, Main Street, Movie Theatres

Thorne CF interior

Circa 1900 to 1920 black and white photograph of the interior of a clothing store in Woodstock, Illinois. Three men pose in the center aisle of the store and on either side of the store are clothing products.

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…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses

Thorne CF Exterior 1890

1890 black and white photograph of a clothing store in Woodstock, Illinois Two men, two women and two boys are posing in the entrance way to the store.

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…

Tags: 1800s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses

Thorne and Son interior 2 men

1907 black and white photograph of the interior of a clothing and hat store in Woodstock, Illinois. The sides of the store are filled with clothing products and two men wearing hats stand in the middle aisle of the store.

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…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses

State Bank Addition 1984

1984 color photograph of a brick building addition being constructed on the south-west corner of Jefferson and Jackson Streets, Woodstock, Illinois.

The top story is being constructed for the addition to the State Bank of Woodstock. The Odd Fellows building has been demolished to make space for the addition.

101 S. Benton
East Jackson and Jefferson streets

Tags: 1900s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses

Square, Southeast ca 1877 Bunker Bros.

Grainy circa 1877 black and white photograph of three and four story brick bildings on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois.

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…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Square West side 1928

1928 black and white photograph of a couple of two story wooden structures on Johnson Street in Woodstock, Illinois

The Stafford Furniture building on the left was torn down in October 1928. The demolition was to make space for the Montgomery Ward department store at 110 S. Johnson.
The front of the photo is mis-identified as Donnelly Building Torn Down Oct 1928.…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Johnson Street

Square Taken Mar 27 1930

1930 black and white photograph of the Woodstock Square Park, Woodstock Illinois. The photo was taken after a snowstorm. In the square park can be seen leafless elm trees, the Springhouse structure, a tall soldier monument and a covred bandstand. Several cars are driving and parked on the snow covered street in the foreground. In the background can be seen three story brick buildings, the Woodstock Opera House building and a few other wooden structures.

This photo is taken from nearly the same vantage point as the photo taken Feb 22 1930, however snow covers the ground and the flags are no longer there. Mr. Stamet's popcorn wagon, the Spring House, Bandstand and Soldier Monument are all visible.…

Tags: 1900s, Automobiles, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, Johnson Street, Spring House, Square Park Bandstand, Van Buren Street, Winter

Square Taken Feb 22 1930

1930 black and white photograph of the Woodstock Square Park, Woodstock, Illinois. In the park can be seen leafless elm trees, the Springhouse structure, a tall soldier monument and a covered bandstand. Several automobiles are parked on the brick paved street. In the background can be seen three story brick buildings and the Opera House building.

One of three Tripp photos of the Square taken in 1930.This one shows the Square park from the entrance at Cass and Main street. A small popcorn wagon, identified as "Mr. Stamet's" for another photo, is adjacent to the entrance. The Spring House,…

Tags: 1900s, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, Civil War Monument, Music, Soldier Monument, Spring House, Square Park, Square Park Bandstand, Van Buren Street

Square Southeast Woodstock House ca 1868

Circa 1868 black and white photograph of three and four story brick buildings on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois. Several men are posing on the sidewalk and there is a horse and buggy parked on the dirt street in front of the buildings.

South east side of Square with Woodstock House and Post Office. This is a blurred closeup of the same buildings as photo ID 37 [105-117 E. Van Buren]
Blossom's Jewelry was established in 1868. [117 E. Van Buren]. The photo could have been taken as…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses, Churches, Van Buren Street

Square Southeast side Pratt House ca 1870

Circa 1868-1871 black and white photograph of three and four story buildings on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois. In the foreground is the Woodstock Square Park. The park has young immature trees and is surrounded by a white fence.

Pratt House
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…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses, Square Park, Van Buren Street

Square south east side in mourning 1885

1885 black and white photograph of three and four story buildings on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The buildings are decorated with mourning crepe to mark President Grant's death. Several men and young boys are seen posing for the photograph on the sidewalks in front of the buildings.

South side of the Square is decorated with mourning crepe to mark President Grant's death.
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…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street

Square South and East side 1881 snow

1881 black and white photograph taken after a snow storm of snow piles from a shoveled sidewalk. In the background can be seen three and four story brick buildins on Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois.

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.…

Tags: 1800s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Van Buren Street, Winter

Square park in winter after 1891

1891 black and white photograph of the Woodstock Square Park, Woodstock, Illinois after a snow storm. On Cass street are two horse and sleds parked. In the Square Park can be seen leafless elm trees and and bandstand. In the background are various wood buildings and also the Woodstock Opera House building.

Square park after a snowfall showing the Woodstock Opera House (built 1889) and two other buildings on W. Van Buren St. Three buildings also are visible on S. Johnson, including the Donnelly buildings. The center of the square has a wood fence around…

Tags: 1800s, Buildings, Businesses, Johnson Street, Square Park, Square Park Bandstand, Van Buren Street, Winter

Square Northeast Side, circa 1866

Circa 1866 black and white photograph of the Hoy Block building, a three story brick building, on Cass Street, Woodstock, Illinois. In the foreground is a muddy Benton STreet with a few horse and wagons parked. To the left a portion of the Woodstock Square Park can be seen surrounded by a fence. In the park are young trees.

"VIEW OF THE HOY BLOCK DURING CIVIL WAR DAYS This excellent picture of the northeast side of the public square shows the Hoy Block [100-104 Cass], consisting of the first three store rooms to the right of the picture, together with a fourth building,…

Tags: 1800s, Benton Street, Buildings, Businesses, Cass Street, Square Park

Browse Items (101 total)