The 'Welcome Home' arch was located on the south end of Main Street.]]> Tripp]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]>
The photo was dated using the movie marquee. John Barrymore starred in the film Beau Brummel in 1924. ]]> Tripp]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> Persson]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> Main Street is decked out for the celebration with a series of bunting and flags over the street, on the light poles and on the buildings. The Welcome Home arch at Main and Cass streets is in the far background. The parade ended here:

PARADE OF MARCHING HEROES IS BIG EVENT OF DAY
The parade was the first big feature of the day’s events and of greatest interest to all the people. It had been advertised to start at 10:00 o’clock from the armory but it required more time to get the men organized than was anticipated and it was about 11:00 o’clock before the marchers got under way.
At the armory every man's name was registered, so that the committee would have some record of the number in the parade.
The parade was by platoons, each platoon under command of a sergeant. A representation of the city police force led the parade, followed by Weldon and His Band. Then came the colors, followed by the officers. They were led by Major C C. Miner in command. Major Harry Yagle and Major C. F. Baccus.
600 Marchers in Line
The three majors were followed by captains and lieutenants forming in platoon front, followed by the men in platoons. In all there were 600 officers and men in the line.
As the marchers left the armory and swung into Newell street, the Oliver and city whistles began to blow. Church bells rang and this salute continued until ranks were broken on the public square. From Newell street the marchers came south on Clay and Benton streets passing the reviewing stand which was erected on the east side of the park. As the platoons passed the reviewing stand each commander in turn saluted the colors, giving the command. “Eyes Right."
On the reviewing stand were stationed the official reviewing commit­tee, the reception committee, G A. R Spanish War veterans and W. R. C. as well as widowed mothers of soldiers in the line.
It was a wonderful sight as these brave men marched forward, and one that Woodstock will probably never witness again. There were men of various divisions and regiments, over-seas men and those who had not been so fortunate, all mixed together. The sailors in their blue uniforms formed one big platoon that marched in the center between a first and second division of the soldiers.
As the men hove in sight a mighty shout of welcome from thousands of throats greeted them, which even the playing of the band and the din of whistles and bells could not drown. But the men, trained us only military men can be, kept their lines and marched forward with regular steps and strict attention for the commands of the officers over them.
After passing the reviewing stand, the long line of soldiers and sailors turned into Dean street. From there on corners had been assigned to the different organizations of the city, lodges, clubs and schools.
At the corner of South street they were greeted by the members of the Loyal Order of Moose. The cheers of the Moose barely died away when the boys heard the ovation tendered them by the A. F. & A. M. and the Eastern Star ladies at the corner of Lawrence avenue. St. John's school had a large delegation of the children at the corner of Fremont. Passing this corner ready for the turn around the flat-iron the marchers came in range to view the beautiful arch erected by the Odd Fellows. This arch was not placed over the street but was put up in the little park right at the turn. The Odd Fellows were in regalia and the members of the Canton in full uniform.
The Pleasant Valley Community club had a station in the center of the block on Tryon street. At South and Tryon streets the Elks were grouped to give the men a grand welcome.
The next corner was crowded with scholars of the public schools, accompanied by their teachers. The boys from Todd Seminary occupied the corner of Judd and Tryon and the scholars from St. Mary's school were lined up in front of the church singing patriotic song]]> Tripp Photo, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> Taken from the west sidewalk, this provides a closer look at the buildings near the square than the previous photo (ID 85). The Republican and Job Printing signs are visible.
Left to right:
222 Main: F.G. Knutson & Co. Wines and Liquors
220 Main: The Gem theatre showing "Soldiers, Indians, and Cowboys"
218 Main: Confectionary
216 Main:
212-214 Main: Waverly House and Woodstock Paint Store
208-210 Main: Crystal Palace Saloon (See photo ID 76)
206 Main: Henry O. Stone Shoes and Repairs. This business survived the fire of 1892 and stayed at this location until the fire of 1936 destroyed this frame building
204 Main: previous frame building; Tripp Photography Gallery]]> Persson, Gus]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1900-1920 notebook]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1921-1950 notebook]]> 203 Main
209 Main: Princess Theatre]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1921-1950 notebook]]>
None of the details are very clear especially when enlarging the photo.]]> Keefe, Jim]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 9
In Keefe Photos (original Photos)
]]>
It is colorized.

A fence has been built at the intersection of Church and Main. Business names cannot be deciphered because of the grainy focus.

People stand on the sidewalk including a mother, child and father carrying a suitcase while walking away from the train station. Bicyclists pedal down the middle of Main St.]]> Wm. G. Hoffman, Chicago]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Postcards Notebook
]]>
The Sycamore newspaper at the time (The True Republican) reported that light from the fire could be seen from Sycamore, 40 miles to the south of Woodstock.

The foundations in the foreground are the remains of the Waverly House Hotel [214 Main]. Men and boys are standing behind the foundations. The fire destroyed all the buildings except the last two brick buildings [236 and 234 Main]

There is a wooden building with either a chute or outside staircase that is either attached to 236 Main or might be on Washington street.

The pre-1912 train depot is visible at the end of Main Street.

301 Clay Street Furer and Slocum Flour and Feed Mill is visible (located where the Metra parking lot is currently located).

The northwest corner of Main Street is vacant except for a fence. There seems to be a wooden bridge across a ditch at that corner.

Frame buildings are visible on the east side of Clay Street that pre-date any buildings existing today.


This photo was incorrectly attributed to Medlar Studios in the 2002 Sesquicentennial Photo Exhibit
]]> Tripp Photo, Woodstock]]> Kirk Dawdy]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Square and Main Street to 1900 notebook]]> Left to right:
232 Main: Belcher Brothers took over the Model Bargain store around 1905. Note the bowling pins and balls on the pediment--the building was erected as a bowling alley around the turn of the century.
230 Main: Pinnock Printery (thus the Post Cards sign on the awning) advertised that they moved into this "expressly built building just south of the Model Bargain Store in July, 1908. They sold stationery & school supplies as well. In the 1912 Sanborn map, this building housed a cobbler shop.
228 Main: Moses N. Wien's Department Store opened at this location around 1909 or 10 .At his former location in the Dacy Block (N.E. corner of E. Judd & N. Benton), he originally sold clothing for men and boys but added women's apparel & dry goods. When he moved to Main Street he added boots & shoes, furniture, kitchen cabinets and refrigerators. He died in 1929 but the business continued until it went bankrupt in 1933. His son Julius started Wien's Women's Wear that same year
224-226 Main: In 1908, the Gaulke Brothers sold their billiards hall to D. R. Joslyn and E. R. Hoy, who in turn leased the hall to George Tompkins who ran the adjoining Oliver Bowling Alley (as in Oliver Typewriter). The two businesses together became the Oliver Amusement Parlors. There was also an automatic shooting gallery under the bowling alley. The 1914 City Directory lists Mills & White Bowling and Billiard Parlors.
222 Main: Wittenburg & Bodenschatz candy company was here in 1902 with a soda fountain & candy counters on the first floor and the candy factory with a gasoline-run engine to run the ice machine in the rear and basement. They moved out in 1903 and Vincent & Lee Saloon took its place.
220 Main: Star Theater. Although this photo is dated 1910, by the July 4, 1910 photo, the building is identified as the Gem Theater. This is also the location of the Huntzinger Main Street Restaurant and one of the first buildings to be erected after the 1892 fire. John Huntzinger also operated the Waverly House in 1900.
218 Main: this was either a confectionery (1905) or perhaps a restaurant (Stearns & Stamets in 1914 city directory)
216 Main
212-214 Main: Waverly House was erected in 1900 by Marcellus Joslyn on the location of the original hotel that was burned in the 1892 fire. It had 17 rooms and several bath rooms on the second floor with the office & restaurant on the first floor. The third floor was used by the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, the Eagles Club and the Knights of Pythias. There was a barber shop on the south side of the first floor and a bakery on the Benton Street side.
208 Main: Crystal Palace saloon. A few months after the 1892 fire, H. J. Herdklotz re-opened the Crystal Palace with new fixtures, cigars, and liquor. In 1901, he sold the saloon to Joseph Conners & Charles Stone (see photo ID 76)
204 Main: the side door shares the building with 108 Cass. Melvin Tripp had his photography studio here. It is possible to see the frame building and the false rectangular front that faces Cass St.
Across the street
116 Cass: rear view
203-211 Main: three frame buildings on the site of the current Classic Cinema's Woodstock Theatre. See Photo ID 81
Oddfellows]]> Persson, Gus]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1900-1920 notebook]]> 112 Cass Street A. J. Dushnack's Restaurant
208 Main
210 Main
211 Main Street Princess Theatre marquee]]> Tripp Photo, Woodstock]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1921-1950 notebook]]> The 1887 Directory of McHenry County says that it was built in 1856.
This original Waverly House was destroyed by fire February 1, 1892. The fire that began in the hotel engulfed the entire east side of Main Street except two brick buildings near the north end. It was a popular ongoing business and was soon rebuilt.
W. H. "Harry Hobbs was the last manager [note on back of photo]
In 1900, the building that houses the current Waverly House, 214 Main Street, became the Slavin & Merwin Furniture and Undertaking, followed by Merwin Furniture well into the 1950s. In 2002 it was Waverly House and Main Street Antiques.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In oversized photo box]]> Farm & Fleet moved from here (231 Main) to Route 47 in 1972.

The photo is not crisp enough to identify other businesses.]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1951-69 notebook]]>
These proof sheets are photos Jim Keefe took in 1972. There are additional color photos in the Keefe Slides in History Photos. The new Government Center was being built on N. Seminary. City Hall was going to move from the Opera House to the old Courthouse Annex at 121 W. Calhoun.
The Opera House needed repair and fundraising was about to start.
The old bandstand (without a roof) was demolished late that year to be replaced by a less than satisfactory kiosk out of a catalog.
Lake Avenue, South Street, Throop Street and Washington were still designated as Business Route 14, thus there was still a traffic light and Throop & Jackson.
S & H Green Stamps could be redeemed in the flat topped building on Throop & W. Judd.
Trees on the Square were still small after the devastating flood/wind storm of the 1968.
The proof sheet photos are named Proof Sheet 1 (2 or 3) with the description of the image in alphabetical order. Only a small selection are attached because the proofs are poor and the subjects often covered in better photos.

Here are the subjects:
Proof sheet 1-1-Opera House ticket office; 2-Opera House newell post; 3-Opera House inside entry from stairs; 4-Auditoriaum pre-restoration; 5-Balcony pre-restoration; 6-Jefferson St at E Judd; 7 Jefferson at E Judd (2); 8 North Benton from tracks; 9-North Benton St alley; 10-Cass St; 11-Opera House balcony seats; 12-skipped; 13-Opera House column detail; 14-Opera House Dean st side; 15-Square from 100 Cass; 16-Benton St Lloyds and Stones; 17-Square from under awning; 18-Square small trees; 19-soldiers monument; 20-Square S. Benton corner; 21-Old Courhouse; 22-Schultz Brothers (attached); 23-Courthouse entrance and fence; 24-Courthouse rear.

Proof Sheet 2-1-Square from Courthouse roof; 2-skipped; 3-Johnson St cars; 4-Square from Schultz Bros. sidewalk; 5-Post Office & Courthouse Annex; 6-Dean St at Calhoun; 7-Calhoun St 100 east block; 8-Calhoun St 100 east block and alley; 9-Calhoun St at Jefferson (attached); 10-Jefferson St from Calhoun corner (attached); 11-E.Judd from tracks; 12-Jefferson St back of Square buildings; 13-Jefferson St back of Square wide view; 14-E. Jackson view of Courthouse; 15-Jefferson St back of Square; 16-Main St mid-block (attached); 17- Main St view of theatre side; 18- Main St parking lot from Throop

Proof sheet 3 1-Johnson St from Calhoun; 2-Courthouse Annex 121 W. Calhoun; 3-Calhoun st from Throop St apartments; 4-Bandstand; 5-Courthouse and Sheriff's House; 6-Square from 112 Cass; 7-Square Main St planter; 8-Square Main St Wiens; 9-Fire Department; 10-Van Buren from Johnson; 11-Opera House & Cubby Hole; 12-Opera House; 13-not scanned; 14 Opera House wide angle Dean st view; 15-Opera House foundation; 16-Opera House brick; 17 Opera House entrance detail; 18-Opera House stone details (may be upside down), 19-Jackson & Throop traffic light; 20-Elks and Sheriff House rear view; 21-Throop & Cass from roof of Green Stamp store (attached); 22 Throop St parking lot and Chop Suey Hut; 23-Throop St parking lot.
]]> Keefe, Jim]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 9
In Keefe Photos (original)]]>
There was no rear door because it was built into the hillside. Note the amount of tinware on the shelves on the left. The business was often advertised as hardware and tinware. Also, the bicycles in back were a particular passion of Ed Field--he built and repaired bicycles. He is standing on the right in the photo. The other man is unknown.

The original Whitson's Hardware was on the Square (114 N. Benton) from 1854-1910. Thomas Whitson was E. J. Field's great-grandfather. After Thomas's death, his sons George and William and a son-in-law, Augustus Wagner, carried on the business until they sold it to their grand nephew.]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
Copy of scan only; original from Maggie Crane. Edward Field was her grandfather. In Photos 1900-1920 notebook]]>
This photo was taken after the fire was struck. Firemen are still on the scene.The hoses are on the street and the McHenry Township Fire District hook and ladder truck is still on Main Street. This could possibly be a business photo--Jim Keefe was a Country Companies Agent. His business info is stamped on the back.

The signs and awning for DeWane's Photo Studio are visible.]]> Keefe, Jim]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 9
In Keefe Photos (original photos)]]> The Crystal Palace opened soon after the 1892 fire on Main Street. Due to ill health, H. J. Herdklotz sold the business (not the building) to Connors & Stone in 1901. In the 1914 City Directory, it is listed as the J. F. Connors Saloon.
The men in the photo are not identified, but it's a sure bet that one is Connors and one is Stone. Wines, Liquors, and Cigars are advertised as well as Jung Milwaukee Beer. Phillipp Jung bought out his partners in 1896 to create Jung Brewing Company which lasted until Prohibition.
Note the Family Entrance door.
The flags and bunting decorating the building differ from the the decorations in the July 4, 1910 Persson photos.
The alley separates this building that fronted on Cass Street from the second Waverly Hotel.]]> Persson, Gus]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1900-1920 notebook]]> May 20 was on Monday in 1901 (too early for the cars), 1907, 1912, and 1918. Checking the 1907 Sentinel, the article says that both performances of the Gollimar Circus were well attended.
This could be a meeting of the Automobile Club that was organized in 1904 or possibly an advertisement for the Buicks.
In addition to the McCormick Harvesting Machines sign that can be seen in the Automobile Club 1910 photos (IDs 80 & 81) there is a Deere Corn Planters sign on the awning and a small sign "Auto (Protection?) League between the main floor windows.
217 Main Street: Schuett and Schaff Dealers in Farm Machinery, Carriages, Gasoline Engines This was the site of the J. D. Donovan farm implement business. He sold the business in 1902 to Schuett and Schaff due to ill health. The new owners continued with the farm implements (note the McCormick Harvesting Machines sign on the front of the awning) and added Buick to the line up. In 1908, C. E. Beardsley had taken over the business, calling it Beardsley & Son Auto Livery, but did not change the faded sign.]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Oversized photo box]]> Six identical white Buick Model 10 Runabouts (1908-1910) and one dark Buick Model C (from 1905) are lined up in front of 217 Main Street. Names listed on the back of the photo include: Frank Wattles, Clarke Thorne, Ray Beardsley, Bob Sharp, Fred and Miss Schuett, Bill Averill, Earl Bower, C. E. Beardsley, Matt Conrad, John Rowe and George Conn, Jr.
It is difficult to assign street numbers, but using numbers from the 1914 City Directory
209 Main Restaurant
211 Main Boots & Shoes (note the boot hanging over the awning)
213 Main Wm. Whitson Hardware
217 Main Street: Schuett and Schaff Dealers in Farm Machinery, Carriages, Gasoline Engines This was the site of the J. D. Donovan farm implement business. He sold the business in 1902 to Schuett and Schaff due to ill health. The new owners continued with the farm implements (note the McCormick Harvesting Machines sign on the front of the awning) and added Buick to the line up. In 1908, C. E. Beardsley had taken over the business, calling it Beardsley & Son Auto Livery, but did not change the faded sign. The 1914 City Directory listing is Woodstock Implement Company. The building was demolished some time after 1932 and was the location of the parking lot next to the movie theater for many years.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
Original filed in the oversized box, a print is in the Square and Surrounding Areas 1900-1930 notebook]]>
These buildings on the west side of Main Street have been demolished for Woodstock Theatre.

217 Main Street: Schuett and Schaff Dealers in Farm Machinery, Carriages, Gasoline Engines This was the site of the J. D. Donovan farm implement business. He sold the business in 1902 to Schuett and Schaff due to ill health. The new owners continued with the farm implements (note the McCormick Harvesting Machines sign on the front of the awning) and added Buick to the line up. In 1908, C. E. Beardsley had taken over the business, calling it Beardsley & Son Auto Livery, but did not change the faded sign. The 1914 City Directory listing is Woodstock Implement Company. The building was demolished some time after 1932 and was the location of the parking lot next to the movie theater for many years.

223 Main Street: The Republican (newspaper) * Job Printing. The McHenry County Democrat (1877-1902) became the McHenry County Republican (1902-1905) and just plain Republican (1906-1918) when it was purchased by the Woodstock Sentinel.

The date of this photo was misidentified as 1904 in the Sesquicentennial photo exhibit.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1900-1920 notebook. There are two original cardboard copies, one "loaned by Woodstock Journal," and a print donated by Stephens in 1994]]> He stands to the left of his door while his son Garry Austin holds the door handle. The gentleman with the basket of bread is Frank W. Doton who had a baker's shop on Benton street. One of the other two men is identified Wm (Billy) Oliver or Woliver on the back of the photo.
In 1885, Austin installed a new awning.
Train cars are stopped on the tracks crossing Church Street.
Looking north along Main Street, C. Beardsley and Son Livery sign is visible. There is a good view of the pre-1912 railroad depot. The telephone pole shows that the photo was taken after 1883.
There are four brick buildings on the east side of Main Street, so the photo was taken after the fire of January,1892
This photo was used in both Woodstock Illustrated (1895) and Headlight: Sights and Scenes Along the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad (1898) advertising Woodstock.

112 Cass see also Photo ID 53 Kendall Block

Nancy Baker's notes: The 24’ by 65’ Kendall Block was completed in December of 1883. Dr. C.N. Kendall had his dentist’s office and living quarters on the second floor. Beneath Kendall’s office, on the first floor, was the B.S. Austin grocery store—a fixture at this corner for 30 years. Austin was assisted by his son and several other clerks and they delivered groceries throughout the City. Bart Austin was locally famous for his annual fireworks display on July 4th. The tradition began in 1881 and was still being reported in 1897.]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
Original photo missing and was dated incorrectly in the Sesquicentennial Photo Exhibit in 2002.]]>
Notable buildings now demolished include the First Baptist Church at the intersection of Throop and W. Jackson, houses and gas stations along Throop street, houses on W. Jackson and Tryon where BMO Harris bank and parking lots are now, houses on Dean Street between the Opera House and South Street where the city hall parking lot is now located. Also the Odd Fellows building on W. Jackson was torn down for the bank expansion.
City Hall/Central School at 121 W. Calhoun was being used as the McHenry County Courthouse Annex. The building did not have the fire house addition but had a larger parking lot.
The movie theater was smaller with a narrow store building and the Main Street parking lot, now covered by Woodstock Classic Cinemas.

Oddfellows]]> Medlar Studios, Woodstock]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Photos 1921-1950 notebook]]> "C. & N. W. Depot #705"
"Main Street #734"
"Oliver Typewriter Factory"
"Woodstock Typewriter Co."
"Benton Street #729"
"Congress Dairy #740"
"Van Buren Street from Johnston #728"
The center frame shows a young girl next to camera with the title and a photo of Murphy and Sherman blocks.
None of the Square photos have brick on the street, so they were taken before 1912. The depot was built in 1912.
The Congress Dairy photo was dated 1912 in a Northwest Herald interview of Joan Mansfield, council woman and local history expert.
The Main Street photo is unusual in that it shows a curved lawn where Washington and Church streets meet.]]> Wm. G. Hoffman, Chicago]]> NO COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY

]]> File Cabinet 6 Photos
In Postcards notebook]]>