The Heart of Woodstock: History of the Old McHenry County Courthouse: Stories from the buildings that shaped a square, a town, and its people

The Old McHenry County Courthouse, built in 1857, and the adjacent Sheriff’s house, built in 1887, now jointly called the Old Courthouse Center, have been the heart of the small town of Woodstock Illinois for more than a century and a half. They have anchored the historic Woodstock Square throughout more than a hundred years as the center of McHenry County government, and the following 50+ years hosting art exhibits, museums, stores and restaurants, and even a radio station.The stories and historical chronologies are written by members of the non-profit group, Friends of the Old Courthouse, and are presented along with historic documents and hundreds of pictures. Among the many stories presented in the book are those of prisoners ranging from future presidential candidates to some of Chicago’s most notorious 1920’s gangsters. One of the most famous lawyers in the country tried his very first juried case within these walls.The Old Courthouse Center has been, and will continue to be the heart of the Woodstock Square for many years to come. Read more