In November 2010, the city of Woodstock agreed to accept the Old Courthouse and Sheriff's House as a donation with the then-stated goal of "bringing the property up to code and working with a private entity to take over."
Since then, the city has rehabbed it to make it more attractive to potential sellers. But it's been several years of time, effort and work.
In May of 2014, the city's search for a private owner for the historical landmarks on the Square ended and resulted in two very different proposals.
Story highlights
July 2014: Woodstock City Council unsure on two proposals for Square landmarks
May 2014: Investors propose different futures for Woodstock landmarks
Oct. 2013: Old Courthouse's interior renovation is next up for Woodstock
Oct. 2012: Old McHenry County sheriff's garage about to be history
May 2012: Courthouse future high on list in Woodstock
Dec. 2011: Woodstock looks to Old Courthouse's future
Nov. 2011: Woodstock gets courthouse via auction
Nov. 2010: Woodstock OK's Old Courthouse deal
Northwest Herald's take
Lyons: Sense of history battles dollars and cents - Kevin Lyons
Oliver: What's old can be new with creativity, vision - Joan Oliver
Oliver: Cautious optimism for old courthouse project - Joan Oliver
Reader takes
Sager: Old Courthouse represents Woodstock's past, future - Brian Sager
Track record dismal - Letter to the Editor