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Woodstock Opera House & Bandstand
The Opera House was finished in 1890 and this is one of the oldest photographs of it. The picture shows the bandstand as it looked before the 1909 structure. The houses and shops on the southwest side of the Square (where Woodstock Square Mall is…
Woodstock Public Library, 1948
The woman in the photograph is Library Assistant Jean West. We would love to identify the children in the photograph. If you know who any of them are please email to library@woodstockil.gov.
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in…
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in…
Woodstock Public Library - Librarian Edna Wienke, 1948
This photograph was taken in the Woodstock Public Library in 1948. At the time the library was located in the Opera House. The woman in the photograph is Librarian Edna Wienke. We would love to identify the children in the photograph. If you know who…
Woodstock Public Library, 1935
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in the Woodstock Opera House. The library moved to its Judd Street location in 1959. The 4000 sq ft building was designed by local architect William Fyfe, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The…
Woodstock Public Library, 1927
Opened in 1891, the library was originally located in the Woodstock Opera House. The library moved to its Judd Street location in 1959. The 4000 sq ft building was designed by local architect William Fyfe, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The…
Welcome Home 1919 Opera House
The Opera House is decorated for the June 10, 1919 celebration.
The Woodstock Sentinel June 12, 1919 p6:
Pavement Dancing
Between the hours of 3 and 5 in the afternoon and 10 and 12 in the evening, dancing was enjoyed on the pavement between…
The Woodstock Sentinel June 12, 1919 p6:
Pavement Dancing
Between the hours of 3 and 5 in the afternoon and 10 and 12 in the evening, dancing was enjoyed on the pavement between…
Van Buren St with boys on roller blades May 1997
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.
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…
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…
Van Buren sidewalk widening Opera House 1984
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…
There is a good view of the restaurant on the opposite corner, including the vertical Restaurant…
Van Buren sidewalk widening 1986
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…
The sign on the Wood Bin indicate that they are worried…
Van Buren and South Benton Sts ca 1954
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…
Other businesses include
117 Van Buren Woodstock Grill and
115 Van Buren…
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…
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…
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 Taken Mar 27 1930
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.…
Square Taken Feb 22 1930
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,…
Square Southeast Woodstock House ca 1868
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…
Blossom's Jewelry was established in 1868. [117 E. Van Buren]. The photo could have been taken as…
Square Southeast side Pratt House ca 1870
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…
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…
Square south east side in mourning 1885
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…
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…
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 park in winter after 1891
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…
Square in winter ca 1867
This photo of the west side of the Square in winter shows the trees slightly larger than in the photo Item #480: "West Side of Square, ca 1858" and a second fence outside the original fence. It is dated between 1866 and 1868.
After 1858 (square…
After 1858 (square…
South Side of the Square Van Buren St, circa 1868-9
Back of photo: Old Bunker Block burned 1871
This photo of the south side of the square shows the Phoenix block that would be renamed as the Bunker Block after Bunker Brothers moved their grocery, hardware and crockery business there in 1872. Their…
This photo of the south side of the square shows the Phoenix block that would be renamed as the Bunker Block after Bunker Brothers moved their grocery, hardware and crockery business there in 1872. Their…
South East Corner of Square L-38
Part of the same series as Montgomery Ward (ID 183) and View in Business Section (ID 182), this photo of Van Buren and S. Benton street businesses was taken from the Square. Identifiable businesses include:
103 E. Van Buren: Sears (1952-1958)
105…
103 E. Van Buren: Sears (1952-1958)
105…
Sidewalk Sales Benton St at Cass 1970
A pedestrian is in the crosswalk at Cass & Benton during the Sidewalk Sales. The most notable images in this photo are the number of really big automobiles in the parking spaces. Signs are visible for Buschkopf'sWalgreen's Agency Pharmacy, Stone's…
Panorama Square bird's eye view from Jefferson St 1996
Jim Keefe's office was on Jefferson St. fairly close to where this photo was taken. His son Patrick was on the fire department, so perhaps he had access to a hook & ladder truck to take it.
The two photos are taped together to make the treeline in…
The two photos are taped together to make the treeline in…
Panorama Square Benton and VanBuren 1993
Taken from the bandstand, this photo shows a closeup of the soldier's monument (without his head) and the bandstand.
The buildings on S. Benton and Van Buren are visible in the distance. The Bohn's Hardware sign is obscured by the tree. Angelo's…
The buildings on S. Benton and Van Buren are visible in the distance. The Bohn's Hardware sign is obscured by the tree. Angelo's…
Opera House with fire escape
Photos of the Opera House in the 1919 Welcome Home series show the east side of the building without a fire escape. By 1921, there is a fire escape.
A. S. Wright, druggist, was in business between 1880 and 1940.
This postcard is labeled City…
A. S. Wright, druggist, was in business between 1880 and 1940.
This postcard is labeled City…
Opera House postcard #6203
Postcard title: City Hall, Woodstock, Ill. #6203
The postcard is post marked March 24, 1914
Taken from the street near Benton, it shows the Opera House without a fire escape. The dirt streets and the rope on post railing on the square indicate…
The postcard is post marked March 24, 1914
Taken from the street near Benton, it shows the Opera House without a fire escape. The dirt streets and the rope on post railing on the square indicate…
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 from Square Park ca 1958
Opera House without portico or cupola but with the Library and City Hall signs in stone. The Opera House sign above the main entrance is electric and possibly neon.
A phone booth stands on the corner of the building on the sidewalk. The east side of…
A phone booth stands on the corner of the building on the sidewalk. The east side of…
Opera House from Spring House May 1997
This photo continues the trip around the Square that Jim Keefe took on the day the Die Cast smokestack was demolished. It shows the Opera House from the vantage point of the Spring House. The trees that were planted in 1993 are still small.
Opera House Curt Teich postcard
Postcard front labeled 1047 - City Hall Building Woodstock, Illinois
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…
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…
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…
Ladies Foot Race 4th of July, 1910
Part of the big July Fourth celebration that Woodstock produced and invited all of McHenry County to attend. Six young ladies run down a dirt Benton Street. Five are wearing white dresses that flare up and show black stockings from the run while the…
Grease Pole Climb 4th of July, 1910
One of the many contests that took place as part of the July Fourth celebration, a boy can be seen climbing the pole on South Benton, reaching about as high as the store awnings. This is one of the few photos that shows this particular part of the…
Fire Department in front of Opera House
Woodstock Fire Department shown with two fire trucks in front of Woodstock Opera House. The truck on the left has been dated as ca. 1936.
Photo shows original wood doors and the Fire Department lettering over the doors as well as the original…
Photo shows original wood doors and the Fire Department lettering over the doors as well as the original…
City Hall from Wdstk Illustrated 1895
The postcard shows a fuzzy print of the illustration used for the 1895 advertising pamphlet "Woodstock Illustrated."
The attached photo is from the jpg file from the booklet rather than a scan of the postcard.
This shows the original Opera House…
The attached photo is from the jpg file from the booklet rather than a scan of the postcard.
This shows the original Opera House…
City Hall and Opera House
Front of post card: City Hall and Opera House, Woodstock, Ill. 700
Reverse has message dated 9-7-27
The lights in front of the building were installed in 1912 and the horse in the photo indicates an earlier time than 1927. Also, there is no fire…
Reverse has message dated 9-7-27
The lights in front of the building were installed in 1912 and the horse in the photo indicates an earlier time than 1927. Also, there is no fire…
Car crash through Bohn's window 1971
A large sedan has backed into the front window of Bohn's Ace Hardware, taking out the posts that hold up a metal awning. A woman left her car running while she went to make a deposit at the State Bank (101 S. Benton). When she returned to the car,…
Business Block, South Side Public Square 1872
Business Block, South Side Public Square
This drawing in the 1872 Atlas has nearly all the same businesses as the photo ID 38, which we have dated ca. 1877. The drawings in the atlas are stylized to please the patrons of the publication so not every…
This drawing in the 1872 Atlas has nearly all the same businesses as the photo ID 38, which we have dated ca. 1877. The drawings in the atlas are stylized to please the patrons of the publication so not every…
Bohn renovation window poster
This closeup of the architect's drawing of what the finished façade will look like is framed by scaffolding.
113 Van Buren
113 Van Buren
Bohn façade removal ca 1996
After Bohn's Ace Hardware moved to Route 47 and into the old A&P grocery store, this building remained vacant. It was used in 1992 by Columbia Pictures to house movie extras. Jim took this photo when only the B remained. The windows have already been…
A&P on Van Buren ca 1954
The A&P Supermarket on Van Buren can be seen from an angle. The old blacksmith shop has a black glass façade but no sign identifying the occupants. An edge of the Post Office is visible as well as a low, long building on Throop St. that is difficult…
A Glimpse of Woodstock
This postcard is a photo montage of eight W. G. Hoffman postcards: "Benton St. From Van Buren #730"
"C. & N. W. Depot #705"
"Main Street #734"
"Oliver Typewriter Factory"
"Woodstock Typewriter Co."
"Benton Street #729"
"Congress Dairy…
"C. & N. W. Depot #705"
"Main Street #734"
"Oliver Typewriter Factory"
"Woodstock Typewriter Co."
"Benton Street #729"
"Congress Dairy…