Notes for Sesquicentennial History of Woodstock, 1952-1961

Notes for Sesquicentennial History of Woodstock, 1952-1961

2002

en-US

Text

1952-1961
COMPILED BY BETTY BABCOCK & KARLEN COONEY
2002
COMPUTER FILE: HNOTES1952 7 PAGES

1952-1961 DECADE NOTES FOR HISTORICAL WOODSTOCK EVENTS Compiled by Betty Babcock & Karlen Cooney 2002
1952
James cooney elected mayor on platform to change Woodstock's form of city government from Aldermanic to Council-Manager. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/30/52
Woodstock holds four-day Centennial Celebration with pageant, ball, and Centennial Queen. Gov. Adlai Stevenson rides in stage coach with Mayor Cooney in spectacular parade of 50 floats, 18 bands, and 3 drum and bugle corps. City receives congratulations from Woodstocks in Vermont, New York, Virginia and England. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel June 1952)
Woodstock Moose Lodge moves into new home on Clay Street, built at cost of $82,000. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 5/15/52)
Mark Lovejoy appointed Woodstock's first City Manager. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 8/1/52)
Green Giants of Woodstock's neighbor, Hebron, defeat Quincy to win IHSA boys' basketball state championship. Many Woodstock fans accompany team to Huff Gym at Univ. of Illinois and parade with Giants around Square on return. (Don Peasley 3/22/52)
Woodstock City Directory lists emergency phone numbers: Police - 14, Fire - O, Ambulance - 56 (Library-1952 Woodstock City Directory)
City Council gives permission to Robert Vieregg to install popcorn wagon at west side of south park entrance until October 15. (City Hall, Woodstock City Council Minutes Vol.5, 8/6/52)
McHenry County Chapter of National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis announces Woodstock is hardest hit in county with 8 cases. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 12/27/52)
1953
VFW Post 5040 new home on Throop Street completed. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 1/12/53)
DeSoto Auto Lite Day proclaimed by Mayor Cooney. 2,000 Woodstock citizens employed by Electric AutoLite Company with annual payroll of $700,000. (Karlen Cooney, Copy of Proclamation)
National Tea Company starts erecting large food mart on Clay Street. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel
12/12/53)
Cinema Scope Screen installed in Miller Movie Theatre on Main Street. First theatre in area with panoramic screen. (Library, Local History Pamphlet 10/20/53)
American Red Cross volunteers attend Woodstock men at train station off to service in Korean War. (Don Peasley photo, McHenry County Historical Society Museum)
First air raid test in Woodstock, also first in northern Illinois area, pronounced success by Emery "Tiny"

Hansman, Chief of Woodstock's police and Civil Defense Director for the city. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 1/8/53)
Woodstock Community High School members of Future Farmers of America join county's seven othr chapters in celebration of Silver Anniversary of the national organization's establishment in 1928. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 2/21/53)
Kiwanis Club of Woodstock formed. (Library, McHenry County in the 20th Century p.22)
Mayor James Cooney and members of City Council visit Gov. William Stratton to request a by-pass of Route 14 around the city. Gov. Stratton reminds Cooney, "Your city fathers came down here 20 years ago wanting Route 14 to go through your city to promote business." (Karlen Cooney 10/53)
1954
Bert Hanson named administrator of memorial Hospital for McHenry County. Begins efforts for major construction to modernize South Street facility. (Don Peasley 6/54)
Woodstock Midget Leage, forerunner of Woodstock Little League, plays first game at Olson Play Park. (Don Peasley 6/21/54)
Morton International opens research center on Route 14. (Later Lake Avenue). (Library, McHenry County in the 20th Century 1954 p. 20)
Clarence Olson School, named for popular band instructor in district, becomes 3rd elementary school in District 72. (Library- McHenry County in the 20th Century 1954 p.432)
Woodstock Jaycees Chapter organized. (Library, McHenry County in the 20th Century 1954 p. 20
Todd School for Boys closes its doors. Established on Seminary Avenue in 1848. Actor Orson Welles its most famous student. (Library-Local History Pamphlets 7/54)
Library Board buys Cairns property on West Judd Street for new library building, for $20,000. (Library, Article by Margaret Marchi 7/1/54)
William H. Day appointed new City Manager. Credited with type of snow removal still used on the Square. (Karlen Cooney 5/54)
City Council designates American Red Cross McHenry County Chapter as official organization for City of Woodstock.(City Hall-Woodstock City Council Minutes Vol. 5 3/2/54)
1955
Court House Annex (present City Hall) purchased from School District 72 for $85,000. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/26/55)
Woodstock Little League officially organized with Jim Moricoli, president, and Toney Roskie, player agent. (Don Peasley 3/9/55)


Woodstock City Council names Little League field in City Park after George Sullivan, 40-year Woodstock Daily Sentinel editor) (Don Peasley 8/17/55)
First V-J Day Parade and Pageant of Drums organized by Woodstock Veterans of foreing Wars, Maynard Wilkerson, Chairman. (Don Peasley 9/11/55)
Women's Auxiliary of Memorial Hospital for McHenry County holds first Holiday Hospitality Day in Laycock and Joslyn Homes. (Booklet, "In Celebration" 50th Anniversary of Auxiliary of Memorial Medical Center 10/55)
Woodstock City Council selects site for first recreational shelter in City Park. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 10/01/55)
City Manager William Day announces two new water cooling towers at Woodstock Power Plant bring city cooling system up to date, providing ample cooling capacity for the plant. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 10/26/55)
1956
As recommended by Fire Chief Walter Parker, antiquated fire alarm box system is eliminated and replaced by blasts from City Power Plant, designating location of fire by number. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 1/6/56)
Woodstock Children's Home acquires Grace hall, Todd School property, for expanded program for teenagers. Rev. Clarence Kerr appointed administrative assistant ot Rev. Eugene Maxwell, Superintendent of Home. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/19/56)
Mayor Cooney announces final official figures on Woodstock special census conducted Dec. '55. Population set at 8234, increase of 1042 over 1950 census. Increased tax revenue of $5,000 to be spent on street maintenance, repairs, and improvements in city. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 1/6/56
For first time in 100 years, McHenry County Board of Supervisors holds meeting, not in century-old Courthouse but in Court House annex, former Central School building. Some members of Board attended school in that building. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 2/14/56)
Recreational shelter completed in City Park. Rustic in appearance, 60 by 30 feet, with electrical outlets for cooking, and 24 tables. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 6/21/56)
Hospital Auxiliary Gift & Thrift Shop opens new quarters on Dean Street. Run by Auxiliary for benefit of Memorial Hospital for McHenry County. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/21/56)
Police Chief Emery Hansman announcees plans to reactivtate Woodstock's Civil Defense. Appoints Leonie Kennedy chairman of volunteer Ground Observance Corps, under supervision of U.S. Air Force. Hansman says strong ground observance corps especially necessary at this time. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/3/56)
1957
Employees of Memorial Hospital for McHenry County receive Salk vaccine shots against polio as part of

Employee Health Program at hospital. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 3/13/57)
Mayor Cooney, council members, and local citizens meet with Carthage College president Dr. Harold Lentz, to present film entitled The Woodstock Story because Carthage considers erecting a second campus in Woodstock. (In 1962 Carthage College chose to settle in Kenosha, Wisconsin). (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 3/20/57)
A major fire completely guts Dacy Electric Company business on Square. Causes $200,000 damage to it and adjoining buildings. (Library, McHenry County in the 20th Century p. 429)
VFW sponsors Woodstock Teener League for boys 13 through 15 who have graduated from Little League. (Don Peasley 4/18/57)
Frances Kuhn is first woman elected to City Council. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/17/57)
City Council receives communication from R.O. Andrew company regarding use of Roost-No-More to combat starling menace. (City Hal I-Woodstock City Council Minutes Vol. 5 4/17/57)
Woodstock takes part in three-day nation-wide Operation Alert, annual Civil Defense National Training Exercise. During this period, nation will be under assumed nuclear attack. Purpose to test capabilities of local civil defense corps. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 7/9/57)
Courthouse is 100 years old. Erected in 1857, cost $47,000. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 7/19/57)
Dutch Elm disease hits Woodstock. Fear for trees on City Square. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 8/28/57)
Gov. Stratton announces state highway money to cover cost of By-Pass Route 14 around Woodstock. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 12/31/57)
1958
Woodstock native, Johnny Stompanato, stabbed to death by daughter of Hollywood actress Lana Turner. Body to be returned to Woodstock for military services and burial.(Woodstock Daily Sentinel 4/7/58)
Supt. Truman Robinson announces 18 buses of School District 10 daily travel 830 miles - the same distance as Chicago to New York. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 6/12/58)
Dr. C.E. Wittenberg, chief of medical staff, leads community in dedication of major addition to Memorial Hospital for McHenry County. (Don Peasley 6/29/58)
Construction started for Northwood School on North Seminary. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 7/7/58)
Groundbreaking ceremonies held for new library building on Judd Street. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 7/7/58)
Mayor James Cooney appointed to fill county judge vacancy. Resigns as mayor. Ralph Ostrander appointed mayor to complete Cooney's term. (City Hall-Woodstock City Council Minutes Vol. 5, 11/18/58)


A & P ad: Jane Parker Apple Pie -Now only 43 cents. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 7/31/58)
Woodstock's first zoning ordinance adopted by City Council. Gives city plan for orderly growth and development. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 9/17/58)
Medlar Photographic Studio celebrates 100th anniversary. John Medlar, pioneer in his young profession, opened studio on Woodstock Square in 1858. Son, Herbert, took over business. Today granddaughter, Modelle Medlar McCoy operates studio with husband, Robert. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 11/7/58)
1959
New $63,000 library building opens to public at 414 W. Judd Street. Designed by local architect, William Fyfe, former student of frank Lloyd Wright. (Library, Library History File # 4 8/31/59)
Seven residents appointed to Zoning Board of Appeals. Each member to receive $4 a meeting. Only civic board which receives compensation for services. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 1/6/59)
A&P Store ad: Super-Right, Thick Sliced, Hickory Smoke, Sugar Coated Bacon - 2 lb. Package 85 cents. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 2/21/59)
Rev. Clifford Redding named new superintendent of Woodstock Children's Home and Old Peoples' Rest Home. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 3/11/59)
Phone srvice in Woodstock changes from manual to dial. (Library-McHenry County in the 20th Century p.22)
Lion's Club appoints citizen committee to study matter of municipal swimming pool in Woodstock City Park. (Museum of McHenry County History/Woodstock Parks folder Summer)
Pro lady golfer, Betsy Rawls, comes to Woodstock Country Club to play round of golf with Pro, Trever Williams, Men's Club Champion Norman Specht, and Women's Club Champion Bernice Peet. Mrs. Rawls breaks club record with score of 35. (Woodstock Country Club 1916-2002 "A Bit of History" by Nyda Fogarty 7/28/59)
Marian Central Catholic High School opens with 421 students (tuition$100). St. Mary's High School which served from 1923 to June 1959, closes. (Don Peasley 9/1/59)
New dial telephone building under construction at Jackson and Tryon Streets. (Woodtock Daily Sentinel
12/7/59)
1960
City Council votes to add fluoridation to city water supply. Later receives petition from citizens protesting fluoridation, asking for referendum. Referendum results in Yes votes 801, No votes 787. Fluoridation becomes reality for Woodstock. (City Hall-Woodstock City Council Minutes Vol. 5 1/5/60 & 4/26/60)
Meter mail is employed to relieve patrolmen for more important assignments. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 9/21/60)


Woodstock Chamber of Commerce honors Woodstock resident, Chester Gould, creator of famous comic strip, Dick Tracy. (Don Peasley Photo;McHenry County History Museum 5/12/60)
New Woodstock Public Library contains 18,500 volumes. (Library-Woodstock City Directory 1960)
Thespian Troupe 991 of young people brings drama back to Woodstock Opera House stage after a decade with Kaufman and Hart's You Can't Take It With You. Directed by Esther Pantages Stewart. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 8/12/60)
Citizen committee presents to City Council results of its study into needs for municipal swimming pool in Woodstock City Park. Council votes to underwrite pool project. (City Hall-Woodstock City Council Minutes Vol. 5 9/20/60)
Grand opening for remodeled Montgomery Wards store on Square. (Woodtock Daily Sentinel 11/15/60) 1961
City Council finally votes to sell Woodstock municipal Utility Power Plant to Commonwealth Edison for $2,131,000. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 9/20/61)
Community Youth Council organized to study problems of Woodstock young people from point of view of school, family court, church an doctor. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 5/16/61)
Board of Supervisors approves construction of fallout shelter in Court House Annex. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 9/13/61)
6.9 mile By-Pass Route 14 around Woodstock officially opens. Under consideration since 1924. (Illinois Highway Dept., Scaumburg, II. October '61)
Woodstock Fine Arts Association Inc. formed. Local attorney, James Hecht, elected president. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 10/15/61)
Ground is broken for new municipal swimming pool in Woodstock City Park at cost of $225,000. Pool to open for swimmers June, 1962. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 9/12/61)
Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, the Chicago baseball team's celebrated power-hitting shortstop, brings his family to spend a day in Woodstock in home of former councilman, Jack Byers. (Woodstock Daily Sentinel 10/10/61)
RESEARCHERS' SUMMATION OF DECADE
Although the country was in the throes of cold war tensions and H-bomb anxieties, Woodstock started its second century with a decade of major municipal growth and developments. In 1952, new mayor James H. Cooney initiated the first change in city government in Woodstock in 100 years by replacing aldermanic governance with that of Council-City Manager. In tribute, Councilman Jack Byers, said Mayor Cooney led Woodstock's way from a town to a city with a form of government that has proven successful from its inception to this date, 2002.


Editor's Addendum
At Home-McHenry County 1823-1968
First city in McHenry County to institute Council-Manager form of government. April 29, 1952 referendum: Ayes 1,418; Noes 935. Ordinances passed July 31 and Aug 26 outlining manager's duties. L. M. Lovejoy first city manager Aug. 1, 1952. Salary $7,500. p. 553.
LIBRARY-WOODSTOCK SENTINEL MICROFILM 1/23/52 - 5/24/52
To improve and alter existing sewage treatment plant and addition $300,000. 1/25/52 Award contract to expand sewer treatment $247,047. 2/6/52
129th Infantry Regiment 44 Division Illinois National Guard Co. A go into full time Federal service for 2 years- leave by Feb. 19 (2/12)
Dist 72 extend school year; voted to purchase property for $20,300.
Tues April 29- Special Election for Mayor and City Clerk. And referendum to institute Council-Manager form of government. Cooney for mayor 1,602; Townsend 802; Council-Manager: Yes 1,418, No 935.
Transcribed June 2002 jhmansfield File: HNOTES1952