Grease Pole Climb 4th of July, 1910
Title
Grease Pole Climb 4th of July, 1910
Description
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 Square. It was probably taken from the portico of the Opera House. There is an excellent close-up of the Lighting fixture that is attached to the pole by an elaborate pully system.
There are several varieties of automobiles behind the large crowd.
101 S. Benton: This vantage point shows a large Auction sign in front of Sherman's Jewelry building (see photos ID 87 & 88). In addition to jewelry, Sherman sold musical instruments and sheet music, and sewing machines.
103 S. Benton:
105 S. Benton:
107 S. Benton: Mead & Charles Groceries opened in th Primm Block in 1899 and remained there for almost 30 years. The Primm Block had a small balcony extending from the second floor, beautiful arched windows, and a decorative cornice, probably made of metal. Dr. Primm had his office and residence here. Other tenants of the building during this era were the YMCA and the McHenry County Democrat newspaper. There was a restaurant and ice cream parlor in the basement. In 1918 & 1942, the State Bank of Woodstock expanded, taking over this building and eventually putting on a "modern" façade.
109 S. Benton: Nester & Pfeiffer. One of the many "Sampling Rooms" a.k.a. saloons listed in the 12-19-1901Woodstock Sentinel
111 S. Benton: J. P. Alt Clothing Company. This business advertised "Men's Sports Union Suits, Special $4.50" in the Woodstock Republican in 1915. He went out of business in 1925.
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 Woodstock Dry Goods opened in 1902 and remained in business at that location until 1978. The Illinois Bell Telephone exchange moved onto the second floor of this building in 1910.
The Odd Fellows Building can be seen behind the Sherman & Church blocks. It faced E. Jackson and was demolished in 1983.
Oddfellows
There are several varieties of automobiles behind the large crowd.
101 S. Benton: This vantage point shows a large Auction sign in front of Sherman's Jewelry building (see photos ID 87 & 88). In addition to jewelry, Sherman sold musical instruments and sheet music, and sewing machines.
103 S. Benton:
105 S. Benton:
107 S. Benton: Mead & Charles Groceries opened in th Primm Block in 1899 and remained there for almost 30 years. The Primm Block had a small balcony extending from the second floor, beautiful arched windows, and a decorative cornice, probably made of metal. Dr. Primm had his office and residence here. Other tenants of the building during this era were the YMCA and the McHenry County Democrat newspaper. There was a restaurant and ice cream parlor in the basement. In 1918 & 1942, the State Bank of Woodstock expanded, taking over this building and eventually putting on a "modern" façade.
109 S. Benton: Nester & Pfeiffer. One of the many "Sampling Rooms" a.k.a. saloons listed in the 12-19-1901Woodstock Sentinel
111 S. Benton: J. P. Alt Clothing Company. This business advertised "Men's Sports Union Suits, Special $4.50" in the Woodstock Republican in 1915. He went out of business in 1925.
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 Woodstock Dry Goods opened in 1902 and remained in business at that location until 1978. The Illinois Bell Telephone exchange moved onto the second floor of this building in 1910.
The Odd Fellows Building can be seen behind the Sherman & Church blocks. It faced E. Jackson and was demolished in 1983.
Oddfellows
Creator
Source
Sesqui Scan
Date
1910
Collection
Citation
Persson, Gus, “Grease Pole Climb 4th of July, 1910,” Woodstock Public Library Archives, accessed June 15, 2025, https://woodstockpubliclibraryarchives.omeka.net/items/show/208.
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