A Virtual Stroll Down Central Street in the Early-Mid 20th Century

Click the forward and back arrows on the images below to take a virtual stroll down Central Street in the early to mid 1900s.

We'll begin our virtual stroll of Central Street at the east end of Tribou Park. Established in 1882, Tribou Park is bounded by Central Street to the south and Pleasant Street to the north.

Just down the street from Tribou Park are two gas stations. Let's head down the street, past the Esso station, and go to the Mobilegas station with the Pegasus logo on it.

From the Mobilegas station, you can see a "Tourist Information" banner across the street. It is an indication of Woodstock's expanding tourist economy in the early 20th century.

You can also see a large commercial block that was built in the early 19th century. During the 1800s, this building was home to a variety of different shops.

Starting in the 1890s, part of this building was used as a restaurant and hotel.

If we step inside, we can get a view of the dining room as it appeared in the 1930s. Just look at the gorgeous tin ceiling!

Stepping back outside, across the street, notice the recently-built post office that was completed in the late 1930s. Also notice the World War II "Star" banner that is hanging across the street.

The top gold star showed that six local men had lost their lives at this point in the conflict, while the lower blue star indicated that 305 local people were actively enlisted in the war effort.

Further down the street, one can see the White Cupboard Inn, which formerly had been the home of Titus Hutchinson. During the mid 19th century, the house was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

From the corner of the White Cupboard Inn, one can see the Green. This park was used for a number of community events during the early and mid 1900s, including a skating rink.

Turning around and facing east, one can once again see the Village Square.

If you jump really high in the air (or - for those less adventurous - look out a second story window) this would be your view of Central Street looking east.

Continuing down the street, you can see by the time this photo was taken, a part of the building that had been a restaurant is now Peck's 5¢ and 10¢ store.

The space occupied by Peck's later becomes the site of the Economy Store. It is now where 37 Central Clothiers is located.

A few steps further down the street, you'll see the Kedron Brook and a stone building to the east of it.

The stone building originally had a gable roof that was altered after a fire in 1938.

That fire also damaged the adjacent garage building.

Headed east, in just another block or so, we'll once again be at Tribou Park.

Although small, Tribou Park has both a Civil War monument and a cannon. To learn more about this park, visit our Outdoor Exploration on Tribou Park.