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Eugene Debs and Old McHenry County Jail
A plaque detailing Eugene Debs' time in the McHenry County Jail as well as why he was sentenced to jail. Transcript:Eugene Debs and the Old McHenry County JailThe 1894 Pullman Strike and boycott of Pullman railcars led by the American Railway Union…
Nellie Bly
Photograph of Nellie Bly (Pseudonym of Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman), (1867-1922); head and shoulders.
Keys to Eugene V Debs Woodstock Jail Cell
In November 1895, upon his release from the McHenry County Jail, Sheriff George Eckert presented Eugene V Debs with the keys to his cell. During the Villains or Heroes: Pullman vs Debs Fest in Woodstock in 2018, the Debs Foundation brought the keys…
1st Floor of Jail (Post-Renovation)
The first floor kitchen of the Sheriff's Residence & Jail after the renovation. Among the new tenants, a restaurant is slated to begin operating by early August 2023.
1st Floor of Jail (Pre-Renovation)
The first floor of the Sheriff's Residence & Jail prior to the renovation. The steel bars on the windows are from the building's past and serve as a reminder of the vital role that the Sheriff's Residence and Jail played in securing suspects…
Exterior Connector Structure Completed
The exterior structure of the new building connector is nearing completion with windows being framed to allow for ample natural light to the stairwell.
Exterior Connector Nearing Completion
Connecting stairwell between both buildings nears completion; elevator shaft added to improve accessibility. A primary goal of the new renovation was to update the building to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. An elevator is…
Exterior Steel Works Constructed
In preparation for a new stairwell to join the Old Courthouse and Sheriff's Residence/ Jail, the construction crew prepares an exterior steel structure.
Old Courthouse's New Parking Lot Completed
Located across the street from the Old Courthouse Center, the newly-paved parking lot has been a welcomed addition to the downtown area of Woodstock.
Old Courthouse's New Parking Lot Retrofitted with Geothermal Technology
The renovation includes the construction of geothermal vents underneath the parking lot to provide low-cost heating and cooling for the Old Courthouse Center. At a specific depth, the temperature underground is stable year around regardless of…
Southwest Corner of Courthouse Roof & Gutters
The extensive damage to the Courthouse's roof was a driving force behind the City's motivations to renovate the property. Moisture from rain and humidty was able to enter the building unabated leading to excessive damage in many parts of the…
Old Courthouse and Jail Exterior
After its conversion from government building to privately-operated site, the Old Courthouse and Jail became home to restaurants and retail stores alike.
Courthouse "Rubble Room" Receives New Ceiling Supports
While in the process of renovating the Courthouse, the construction crew installed new ceiling support beams in key places along the basement to join several walkways together.
Courthouse "Rubble Room" Rebuild
The construction crew is in the process of rebuilding a section of the Courthouse's basement. The room's lack of a ceiling prevented three walkways from being joined together.
Courthouse Ceiling Complete- Air Intake Installed
Courtroom ceiling was restored to its former glory with a fresh ceiling, new paint, and a rebuilt air intake system.
Courtroom Ceiling Demolition
Photograph of courthouse's courtroom ceiling post-demolition. The exposed rafters indicate a total renovation of the ceiling.
Lower Level of Jail Receives New Concrete Floor
Staff from Elliot Concrete work to replace the Jail's lower level concrete floor. Employees in the photograph are seen leveling the newly poured concrete to ensure a smooth surface. The newly renovated Old Courthouse Center is expected to maintain a…
Panorama View of Jail Basement (Post-Renovation)
A panorama view of the Sheriff Residence & Jail's basement in the process of being renovated. Metal framing can be seen in the back, new subfloor has been laid, and doors were installed as well.
Panorama View of Jail Basement (Pre-Renovation)
Prior to the renovation, the Sheriff Residence & Jail's basement was in an unusable state. From unlevel ground to exposed piping, the basement was unable to be used by tenants.
Courtroom Re-Painted
The Old Courthouse's courtroom was in need of a new paint job due to the moisture damage caused by the hole in the roof.
Courtroom Plaster Demolition
The plaster was removed from the Old Courthouse's main courtroom. The room is being prepared for new primer, paint, and trim.
Courthouse Tin Ceiling Repairs
The repairs to the Courthouse's tin ceiling were completed by the team at Bulley & Andrews. The crew attached new tin squares to the ceiling to recreate the design of the Old Courthouse.
Courthouse Tin Ceiling Prior to Renovation
The tin ceiling of the Courthouse was in rough shape prior to the renovation project. Much of the damage stemmed from moisture entering the building through a hole in the roof near the flag pole.
Courthouse Tin Ceiling Primed and Painted
Prior to the renovation, the tin ceiling of the courthouse's courtroom was extensively damaged from a hole in the roof. In this photograph, the ceiling was primed and painted, restoring the ceiling to its previous condition.
Photograph of Woodstock Courthouse (2013)
Exterior photograph of the McHenry County's Old Courthouse & Jail.
Jail Demolition- Interior
Holding cells in the basement from the Jail's past were demolished in preparation for the renovation. The worker in this photograph can be seen using a power tool to cut through the cell bars.
