McHenry County Blog

Here are the details:

The old McHenry County Courthouse on the Woodstock Square.

The McHenry County Board is accepting applications from individuals interested in appointment to the McHENRY COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION.One vacant position is available for a term to expire on November 26, 2015.

Attorneys, architects, engineers, real estate professionals with knowledge of historic preservation, and individuals with a demonstrated interest in pre-history, history or architecture are encouraged to apply.

Application forms are available at the County Board Office, Room 209, McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815-334-4221) or at the County’s website at http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/PDFDocs/AppointmentApp.pdf.

Completed applications should be returned to the County Board office no later than 2:00 p.m. on March 28, 2013. If mailing your application, certified or registered mail is recommended. Mailed applications should be sent to the following address: McHenry County Board, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098.

A press release from the McHenry County Historical Commission:

McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission Photo Contest Winners

WOODSTOCK, IL – As part of “Look at Local History Month” the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission ran a photo contest which solicited pictures of historic buildings and architecture of note from around McHenry County.

“Streit Road Barn”, by Peter McCormack. This first place photo highlights the shadow of the farm’s windmill against the barn’s gambreled endwall.

The contest winners were:

• First Place: Peter McCormack, for Streit Road Barn,
• Second Place: Margie Bjorkman for McHenry High School, East Campus, and
• Third Place: Rob Peterson for Starline Building, Harvard.

“McHenry High School, East Campus”, by second place winner Margie Bjorkman. Distinguishing this stunning architecture and ornate limestone facade against a beautiful blue sky.

In addition, the Commission received photos of the Boy Scout Cabin in Deicke Park, Huntley, the Fish Hatchery in Spring Grove and several private homes. Please view the photo contest winners attached and on the McHenry County Historic Commission website: http://mchhpc.org/.

“Starline Building, Harvard” by third place winner Rob Peterson. Hay-handling equipment manufacturer Hunt, Helm, and Farris (later the Starline Corporation) expanded job opportunities in the community when it arrived in 1883. By April 1891 Harvard had become so populous that voters acted overwhelmingly to form a city. Harvard’s first mayor was N. B. Helm.

The McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission celebrated “Look at Local History Month” in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local historical societies, municipal commissions and committees.

McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission’s Chairman Nick Chirikos (left) presenting the award to the First Place winner Peter McCormack (right) at the Historic Preservation Commission’s meeting on June 6.

Historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability and is relevant for people of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds.

For more information on the photo contest, please contact Sean Foley in the Department of Planning and Development at 815-334-4560.

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Nick Chirikos is running for the McHenry County Board in District 1 as a Democrat.