Where Was Everyone???

At tonight's City Council meeting the final item on the agenda was "Historic Downtown Woodstock slide presentation."

The Council chamber should have been packed to hear Nancy Baker's fine presentation about Woodstock downtown history. She had images from many sources of buildings on the Square - images you'll only see in pictures or drawings because the buildings are no longer there.

Do you know how many fires have wiped out buildings and even blocks? (I don't, either.) Nancy mentioned a fire in 1851 the wiped out Van Buren Street stores. She also mentioned a major fire in 1971 that occurred on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire. And a fire in 1892 that started in what is now the Waverly House. I think there were others.

As Nancy spoke, I wondered whether there is a comprehensive fire-prevention plan for the Square, so that the possibility of another "great fire" is reduced as much as possible. After her remarks, Mayor Sager commented on the number of fires. He attended tonight's meeting by telephone from whatever part of the world he is in.

I suggested to Tim Clifton tonight that the audio portion of Nancy's talk be preserved. It could be converted into audio on a videotape of her presentation, with the rotation of the "slides" synchronized with her remarks. Nancy has an extensive knowledge of downtown Woodstock history that should be preserved in a usable format.

It's too bad that the chamber wasn't full tonight with school-age children, parents, other adults - anyone interested in the downtown area. The Chamber of Commerce and the WDBA could have been represented. Service clubs, church groups, neighborhood groups, local history chapters, and even students (sure, I know; it's summer) could have been there.

Of course, a little advance publicity would have been helpful.

© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT