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Woodstock's Singing Mouse
A mouse, caught at the Chicago Industrial Home for Children in Woodstock in 1936, brought fame and a bit of fortune to the city and the Children's Home.
An article in Time magazine, December 28, 1936, tells the best version of the…
An article in Time magazine, December 28, 1936, tells the best version of the…
Community High School postcard
Woodstock Community High School was built in 1922 at 501 W. South St.
Looking at the landscaping, this photo was taken soon after.
A. S. Wright Druggist is printed on the front. He was in business from 1880-1840.
Auburn Post Card Mfg. Co.…
Looking at the landscaping, this photo was taken soon after.
A. S. Wright Druggist is printed on the front. He was in business from 1880-1840.
Auburn Post Card Mfg. Co.…
First Methodist Episcopal Church
First Methodist Episcopal Church has been located at 201 W. South Street since 1871. The original frame building burned in 1923 and was replaced by this brick structure in 1924. A new church building had already been in the planning stages.
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Old Courthouse Center, 1857-2023
The renovation of the Old Courthouse/ Sheriff's Residence & Jail is also a rebranding effort as well. The newly remodeled building has been renamed as the Old Courthouse Center to reflect its new role as an economic incubator.
Courthouse Dome
Beatrice Pond took this photo for her art photography class, donating it to the library after an exhibit.
The dome is obscured by smoke from one of the chimneys. A television antenna and two small enclosures show the working side of the building.…
The dome is obscured by smoke from one of the chimneys. A television antenna and two small enclosures show the working side of the building.…
Odd Fellows Temple
The Odd Fellows Temple was built in 1906 at the corner of E. Jackson and Jefferson Streets. Other social organizations shared the building as did the post office (see ID 161). It was demolished 1983 to make room for the expansion of the State Bank of…
Post Office construction front
The exterior of the Post Office seems to be complete when compared with later photos.
There is also a rare view of the Montgomery Ward department store before the addition that doubled its original size.
At the rear a team of horses are…
There is also a rare view of the Montgomery Ward department store before the addition that doubled its original size.
At the rear a team of horses are…
Post Office construction rear
Rear of the Post Office from Throop Street as it nears completion.
Good view of the building that used to be at 131 W. Van Buren. In the 1935 City Directory, the listing was for the Double Dipper--ice cream with your hamburger.
Good view of the building that used to be at 131 W. Van Buren. In the 1935 City Directory, the listing was for the Double Dipper--ice cream with your hamburger.
Post Office rear complete 1932
Rear view of the completed post office showing the loading dock and west and south walls. 124 S. Johnson
Also shows a clear view of the rear of Chauncy Hill's Blacksmith Shop 110 W. Calhoun (as well as 125 Van Buren)
Also shows a clear view of the rear of Chauncy Hill's Blacksmith Shop 110 W. Calhoun (as well as 125 Van Buren)
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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 "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.
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.
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'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…
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.
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.
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 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.
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…
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.
Sheriff Residence & Jail Basement (Pre-Renovation)
Many areas of the basement of the Sheriff Residence & Jail required extensive repairs. This section of the basement lacked load-bearing beams at critical junctures requiring additional bracing to add support. In addition, it also required a new floor…
Jail Basement Receives New Support Pillars
This particular section of the Jail basement needed new support beams to safely bear the load of the floor above. In the photograph, crew employees can be seen securing the new support braces into the concrete below.
New Floor for Jail Basement
A primary goal of the Jail's basement renovation was to refurbish the floor. The previous concrete slab in the basement was significantly degraded and could not be safely used by the building's tenants.
Courtroom Ceiling Demolition
Photograph of courthouse's courtroom ceiling post-demolition. The exposed rafters indicate a total renovation of the ceiling.
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…
401 W. Jackson Always Inn Postcard
This postcard, published circa 1910, shows the Cyrus Durfee House, 401 W. Jackson, during the years it was a hotel. Cyrus Durfee built his "mansion" in 1867. The Woodstock Sentinel extolled it as "One of the largest, most convenient, and best…
December 29 1855 | Bids for Courthouse Construction
Important to Chicago Builders. -Sealed proposals will be received until January 21st, 1856, by Neil Donnelly, Esq., Woodstock, Ill., for building a Courthouse and jail for McHenry County. The main building is to be 44 feet square, with four end…
January 4 1856 | Chicago Improvements to the McHenry County Courthouse
By Messrs. Van Osdel & BaumanHotel at Princeton, $20,000.Grundy County Courthouse, Morris, $20,000.Collegiate Institute at Marengo, $20,000.Catholic Church at Bridgeport, $16,000.Three dwelling houses at Dubuque, $32,000.Odd Fellows Hall,…
February 13 1856 | McHenry County Board Signs Contract for Building of Courthouse
Expensive Courthouse. -The Board of Supervisors of McHenry County, Ill., have contracted for the building of a Courthouse at Woodstock, for the sum of $36,000.
Chicago Tribune Logo
The logo of the Chicago Tribune from a 2010 sales catalog.
Courthouse Dome- Views to the East
The view from the top of the courthouse's dome. The structure of the dome was renovated in 2014 with new paint and a new copper exterior. This photograph was taken to provide perspective to the height of the dome. Woodstock Square Park is featured in…
Courthouse Dome- Copper Exterior
As part of the 2014 renovation, the courthouse's dome was fitted with an outer layer of copper to protect the dome from both the elements as well as lightning strikes. Copper is frequently used on domes due to its high tensile strength and…
Courthouse Dome- Exterior Trim
In this photograph, the malleability of copper is on full display. The hammered down edges along the rim help provide a water-tight seal protecting the dome from water damage. The strength, durability, and versatility of copper as a building material…
Courthouse Dome- Exterior Support Pillars
A photograph of the courthouse dome's exterior support pillars. These pillars secure the dome to the building's roof.
Courthouse Dome- Interior Attic
A photograph from the interior of the courthouse dome. The interior of the dome is accessible from the courthouse's attic.
Courthouse Dome- Views from 1900-2014
This photograph showcases the evolution of Woodstock Square Park and the surrounding businesses across more than a century. The photographer's perspective from the dome is facing towards the southeast end of the Square in both 1900 and 2014.
1893-1908 Proceedings of the Woodstock City Council
1893-1908 Proceedings of the Woodstock City Council in two parts
Map glued into place between pages 16 and 17.
Blank check/receipt for City Auditor found on page 427. Fill in date "191_”
Two tickets that read “Special Assessment No. 23 Interest…
Map glued into place between pages 16 and 17.
Blank check/receipt for City Auditor found on page 427. Fill in date "191_”
Two tickets that read “Special Assessment No. 23 Interest…