One of the most recognizable streets in Huntley is Woodstock Street. Some of Huntley's earliest and most decorated homes align this street. Before the creation of Rt. 47 in 1936, anyone passing through Huntley to Woodstock had to travel down this tree lined road. Its connection to Woodstock is the reason for its name.
Originally a dirt road, as all in town were, it was paved with large bricks in 1917. Around the year 2000, Huntley needed to fix the deteriorating road, and the addition of newly raised curbs added to the issue. Residents fought valiantly to save the brick road and keep it from being replaced by blacktop. After options were waged, the board decided to keep the brick road and replace any crumbling bricks with ones from Iowa City, which had bricks that were the same size and vintage. Today the brick road remains one of the main focal points of the town.
Being one of the most popular streets, it was only natural that many postcards exist of the street and the houses. These postcards were created in the time before the street was paved with bricks, but with the trees and the richly designed houses, photographers still flocked to the stretch of road. Below are a sampling of views of the street between 1900 and about 1915, starting at the south end of the street and heading north.
 |
| The beginning of Woodstock St. looking north. Circa 1910. |
 |
| At the base of the hill looking north. Circa 1909. |
 |
| Another view of the base of the hill. Circa 1900. |
 |
| The William Devine house. Circa 1912. |
 |
| Nearing the top of the hill. Circa 1907 |
 |
| Brinkerhoff mansion, originally the Thomas S. Huntley House. Circa 1912. |
 |
| John Weltzien house before the wrap around porch. Note the Borden's smoke stack in the background. Circa 1912. |
 |
| Sad how these trees no longer exist due to disease. Circa 1912. |
 |
| Near the top of the hill looking north. Circa 1912. |
 |
| Looking North. Circa 1909 |
 |
| At the bottom of the hill approaching the curve. Circa 1909. |
No comments:
Post a Comment