Explore & Experience Woodstock

Welcome to the City of Woodstock, Illinois, in McHenry county.

Woodstock originally started out as Centerville, due to its central location within McHenry County after the county was split to form McHenry and Lake Counties. Subsequently, the county seat was moved from McHenry to Centerville in 1844. The name was then changed to Woodstock in 1845, and the Village of Woodstock was incorporated in 1852.

Early growth came in part from the Chicago & North Western Railroad, which ran through Woodstock in 1855 and helped grow the local agricultural business as well as industry. Post-Civil War growth further helped prompt the move from village to city status in 1873.

Woodstock became known for, of all things, typewriters. City officials donated empty factory buildings in 1896 for the manufacture of the Oliver Typewriter. Then in 1910, the Emerson Typewriter Company also moved to Woodstock to produce typewriters, which in 1919 became the Woodstock Typewriter Company.

Woodstock also has a history in the arts. Orson Welles considered it, if any place was, his "hometown" due to his time at the then Todd School for Boys. Orson Welles also made his American debut as a professional theatre director at the Woodstock Opera House.

Not to be outdone by the stage, Woodstock also served as a backdrop for several scenes from the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. This screen appearance also led to being recommended as the location for another famous movie you may have seen over and over and over again, Groundhog Day.

Woodstock also plays another entertaining role, serving as the home of Chester Gould, the creator of "Dick Tracy," who lived on a farm outside Woodstock in what would later become the Village of Bull Valley.

Woodstock also plays another entertaining role, also serving as the home of Chester Gould, the creator of Dick Tracy," who lived on a farm outside Woodstock in an area that would later become part of the Village of Bull Valley.

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  • Owner Claimed Listing
  • Locally Owned Business
  • Non-Profit Entity
  • Minority/Woman Owned Business
  • Veteran Owned Business
  • Online/App Capable
  • Award Winning
  • Deals & Special Offers Available
  • Discounts Available
  • Insurance Accepted
  • Certification
  • Kid Friendly
  • Pet Friendly
  • Dining Options
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  • Entertainment
  • WiFi Available
  • Accessibility Accommodations

Dining & Entertainment

Kishwaukee Brewing Company

BBQ King Smokehouse – Woodstock

Health & Beauty

My Chiropractic Center

Evolve Chiropractic – Woodstock

Shopping

McCann Berry Farm

Sun Berry Orchards

Homestead Orchard

Services & Organizations

NEW!

Real Woodstock

NEW!

HOC Academy


Event Calendar

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Magazine

Person holding pickleball paddle and ball.
By Brian R. Brown
Ready to get pickled?! Calling all picklers and pickleball curious. Looking for a pickleball court near you? We've got you covered in our newest guide.
Plastic Easter eggs on lawn.
By Brian R. Brown
Grab your Easter baskets and get ready to hunt Easter eggs, snap a photo with the Easter Bunny, or even have breakfast with the Bunny! And we're here to help you find those eggs with our Easter Egg Hunt Guide for McHenry County!
Hiking teens.
By Brian R. Brown
Turn off the TV and game system, put away the phone! Summer is for fun and adventure, and our Summer Camps Guide for McHenry County is your map for summer memories.
Man on a snowmobile.
By Brian R. Brown
Grab your sled and get ready to hit the trails! No, not that sled...the big one! If you are itching to hit those white trails, be sure to check our guide for snowmobiling trails in McHenry County.
Cross country skier.
By Brian R. Brown
If you are itching to get out and enjoy nature and to experience McHenry County in the winter, then our Cross Country Ski Trails Guide will give you lots of opportunities to explore.
Kids and adults sledding on the hill at Veteran Acres Park.
By Brian R. Brown
If the thought of packed snow and big hills brings out the kid in you, or makes you want to bring your kids outside, then you'll love our Sledding Hills Guide... as much as the thought of how tuckered out those kids will be after a few hours sledding!