McHENRY COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION LANDMARK

This house was built on land purchased by Christopher Walkup in 1835. It was actually built by his son, William in 1869 the same year that Christopher died, so it is also commonly referred to as the William Walkup house. The square Italianate styled-house was pictured in the 1872 Plat Book of McHenry county and has been restored to much of its original appearance.

McHENRY COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION LANDMARK

Elmer Behrns was the architect for El Tovar as well as 8 other theatres in Illinois, including the Miller Theatre in Woodstock. During the 1920’s, the era of Grand Palaces of Theatre when exotic styles were favored, the El Tovar was created in the Spanish Mission style. Much of the façade as well as the interior is still original. Tiles from local businesses, American Terra Cotta as well as Duntile were used on the façade. The mosaic floor was also created from American Terra Cotta tiles. Eight thousand people attended the grand opening in 1929 and the theatre has been an integral part of the community since its inception except for the period of restoration into the Raue Center for the Arts. Elmer Behrns was the architect for El Tovar as well as 8 other theatres in Illinois, including the Miller Theatre in Woodstock. During the 1920’s, the era of Grand Palaces of Theatre when exotic styles were favored, the El Tovar was created in the Spanish Mission style. Much of the façade as well as the interior is still original. Tiles from local businesses, American Terra Cotta as well as Duntile were used on the façade. The mosaic floor was also created from American Terra Cotta tiles. Eight thousand people attended the grand opening in 1929 and the theatre has been an integral part of the community since its inception except for the period of restoration into the Raue Center for the Arts.

McHENRY COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION  LANDMARK

In 1858 one-half acre of land was purchased by the school directors from Sutherland Ingersoll for $12.25.  This one-room schoolhouse was named after the Holcomb family that lived nearby. It operated as a school until 1946 when it closed due to consolidation. The school was built out of brick with the decorative brickwork at the cornice to represent dentils and cornice returns. It has never been converted to alternate uses and is in the original condition.

McHENRY COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION LANDMARK

This house was built by John James who came to settle here in 1842 from New Hampshire. John James was one of the first 12 founding members of the Baptist Church of Greenwood. He was also active in township politics and was the road commissioner during the 1850's. In the 1860's James was the "overseer of the poor". This house is thought to have been part of the Underground Railroad due to its kitchen trap door and hidden stairway in the basement. Although this house has some Greek Revival features, due to its layout and symmetry, it is considered to be of the Georgian architectural style. It is made out of brick with 12 inch thick walls.