Save the courthouse?

Is it time for residents to get involved?

This building is the original McHenry County Courthouse, which was located on the Woodstock Square.

The City of Woodstock acquired it and is considering now what to do with it. Generally, the City hopes to put a little money into it and find a buyer who will put a lot of money into it.

A couple of years ago, when the Battle for Grace Hall was being fought (and lost, thanks to the City Council), I came across a video called Courthouse Girls of Farmland. Recently I was thinking about that video and purchased it; last night I watched it again. Want your own copy? Visit www.courthousegirls.com/ Whether you do or not, you'll enjoy that website. Drop by soon.

The "Courthouse Girls" were seven women in a bridge club in Farmland, Indiana. Their ages ranged from 74-93. Their battle began when the three commissioners of Randolph County wanted to demolish the old courthouse in Winchester and replace it with "new".

This excellent, award-winning video tells their story in less than an hour. It's a true feel-good story. The "Girls" made a calendar and raised money to fight the demolition. And they won.

The residents of Woodstock should get involved and not just leave it to the City. The old courthouse should be preserved. As should the rest of the Square, considering the damage to the Main Street section done by the Council's turning their collective backs on the historic nature of the downtown district. While no plans have been announced to demolish the old courthouse, as few as four-to-six people could make it happen.

Want to see this video about the "Courthouse Girls"? I may set up a showing at the Woodstock Public Library early in 2013. Interested?

NOTE: A Special Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 7:00PM at City Hall. For some reason, this meeting does not appear on the City Calendar on the City's website.

The Agenda lists consideration of two Certificates of Appropriateness (COA): façade renovations at 129 East South Street and new windows at 200-210 South Throop Street. If you have questions about anything else going on in the Historic Square District, show up and ask.

At the July 23rd meeting of the HPC, there was discussion about the South Street tunnel under the railroad tracks. It could be one of only five such rare architectural structures in the United States. Consideration is being given to trying to get it designated as a national landmark. The Union Pacific, naturally, objects. You may be surprised that the tunnel is actually in the historic district of Woodstock.