Pretty as a picture
Woodstock's picturesque town square with historic buildings, Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets and quaint shops draws people downtown all year long.
People come to visit its historic landmarks - the Opera House and Old Court House - specialty shops and galleries, and to socialize at eateries and coffee houses. There are fairs and festivals and special attractions with live entertainment.
Shops and galleries offer handcrafted pottery, gifts and collectibles, original artwork, antiques, gourmet foods and fine jewelry. An eclectic mix of restaurants includes the restored Waverly House and an English tearoom.
Adele Petersen, resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Primus in McHenry, notes her favorite places for shopping and entertainment on and off the square.
"There's a store that sells paper, pens and invitations," Petersen said. "That type of nicety is coming back where people write personal notes. We have the theater (Woodstock Theatre), which has four screens, and they have the best popcorn ever. And there's grocery shopping for anything you want, gourmet or whatever, and a couple of very nice restaurants on the square.
"I just love the Ace Hardware in town; it keeps you from having to go to Menards or Home Depot, and it's just so convenient. And then we have a resale shop where they have antiques, and the prices are unbelievable. You can find anything there. You almost have to go every day because new things come in, and they sell very quickly."
Built in 1889, the Opera House features a grand interior reminiscent of the floating showboat theaters. It now is the town's cultural center with performances throughout the year, including the nationally renowned Woodstock Mozart Festival.
The Sheriff's House complex includes the Old Court House and Jail, where Eugene Debs was held for his role in the 1894 Pullman strike. Now the complex houses two restaurants, an art gallery, pottery shop and the Chester Gould-Dick Tracy Museum.
Woodstock played a starring role in the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," and several scenes in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" were also filmed in town. "When I watch Groundhog Day, I see some of my neighbors," Petersen said.
Woodstock offers a variety of housing from restored painted ladies in town to large, upscale homes nestled in the scenic countryside.
"They're building several communities along the perimeter of town," said Charlie Bagg, Realtor with RE/MAX of Barrington. "There's Apple Creek off (Route) 47, which has an elementary school in there. The Sonatas are very nice. We have a lot of nice neighborhoods."
Affordable homes are scattered throughout town, Petersen said. "Homes with a lot of acreage are outside of town, such as Bull Valley, which has a Woodstock address."
As more residential areas pop up in Woodstock, major retailers see an opportunity to set up shop and commercial development follows. Thus, Woodstock now has Jewel/Osco and Menards, and a Wal-Mart Superstore just came to town. Woodstock's access to the Chicago, Milwaukee, Rockford and Madison markets make it the ideal location for starting or relocating a business.
Woodstock has excellent schools and parks, which are prime selling points for families moving to the area, Bagg said. "We have a child with special needs, and the school has done a great job with him."
Woodstock parks are owned and maintained by the city, and residents do not reside within a separate park district. "We went to Emricson Park for the Fourth of July fireworks this year," Bagg said. "I never saw anything better. The fireworks were awesome.
"Woodstock is a wonderful place to live. People are a little more laid back and friendlier, more approachable; just nice people."