Old Courthouse Center, Woodstock

Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Adaptive Use

The City of Woodstock led an extensive rehabilitation of the historic Old McHenry County Courthouse and Sheriff’s House, returning the deteriorating local landmark to a treasured downtown attraction. Built in 1857, the building anchors the western side of the Woodstock Square National Historic District, at the heart of the city’s downtown shopping district. The old courthouse had long been a hub of economic and creative activity on Woodstock’s historic square before falling into disrepair. In 2011, the City of Woodstock stepped in to complete immediate repairs like replacing windows, tuckpointing and weatherproofing. Overall, the city spent $22 million on the rehabilitation project, about one-third of its typical annual operating budget. The restored former courthouse is now home to a restaurant, brewpub, four retail spaces, a visitor’s center and a wedding and events venue. Its beauty and grandeur are once again on display, honoring the history and legacy of the National Register-listed building.

Additional Information

The Old McHenry County Courthouse and Sheriff’s House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and has local landmark designation. It was designed by Chicago’s first professional architect, John Mills Van Osdel, who had also designed Chicago’s city hall and the governor’s mansion in Springfield. Its courtroom was the location of one of famed attorney Clarence Darrow’s first court cases. For six months, its jail was the home of Pullman Railroad Strike organizer and five-time presidential candidate Eugene Debs.

The project used federal and state Historic Preservation Tax Credits, a municipal bond and TIF funds. Multiple Community Development Block Grants totaling $186,000 also helped fund the project.

Project Principals

• City of Woodstock, Owner
• Darrell Moore, City Planner
• Aaron Holverson, Studio GWA, Architect, Historic Tax Credit Consulting, Interior Design
• Hutter Trankina Engineering, Structural Engineer
• Fehr Graham, Civil Engineer
• Bulley and Andrews – Construction Manager

LI asks: Why is this place important to you?

Darrell Moore, City Planner

“The Woodstock Square is the heart of the Woodstock. It is filled with locally owned shops and restaurants surrounding a village green known as the Park in the Square. It is here that the community comes to buy produce fresh from the farmer, listen to performances by the Woodstock City Band, watch outdoor movies, gather for parades, celebrate holidays or just have a relaxing stroll. The Square’s insular space has helped preserve its charm and history for well over a century. Each of its four sides plays a part in this. The Old Courthouse Center stands tall over the Square on its western edge. By 2010, this once-proud building was at a low point. Its windows were broken, its roof was leaking, its steps were crumbling. It was clear to city leaders that the building had become an eyesore that was a depressant on the downtown’s economic performance as well as the enjoyment of its visitors. So, the decision was made to acquire the building, which includes both the old courthouse and sheriff’s house & jail. The city refused to give up on the building—doing so would have been like giving up on the downtown. The courthouse, the square, the downtown, and the community are all one and the same.”

LI asks: How did this place impact people in your community?

Darrell Moore, City Planner

“Throughout its renovation, there was an excitement of things to come. This was bolstered by two public tour days in the midst of construction that reinforced the importance of the community within the project. When the building was opened after a year-and-a-half of construction, it was, in many ways, reborn. For the first time in its 160 years, the building was completely handicap accessible, emphasizing that this was a place for everyone. The exterior lights debuted during a downtown holiday lights celebration, much to the delight of all in attendance. The building, now filled with spaces for shops, a restaurant, an event center, a brewpub and a visitors center, was once again alive and full of possibility and opportunity. Its 19th-century details, including tin ceilings, hand-painted safe doors, and jail cells belie its 21st-century technology systems. This project has ensured that the Old Courthouse Center will serve the community for another 100 years.”