From early settlements to present day, there are many historic stories in rockford, il. Check out the best museums in rockford to visit in 2020. Downtown rockford is the oldest, most historical part of the city. A history of winnebago county and the city of rockford compiled by workers of the writers program of the work projects administration in the state of illinois1941 during june, 1834, two men from galena, germanicus kent and thatcher blake, reached the west bank of the rock river near the mouth of the small tributary now known as kent creek. Whitepages provides the top free people search and tenant screening tool online with contact information for over 250 million people including cell phone numbers and complete background check data compiled from public records, white pages and other directories in all 50. Rockford history, rockford il museums town square publications.
The area was first settled in about 18 by james reno, who was the grandfather of the infamous reno gang. Below is a general list of what we are looking for. We promote public involvement and raise money through our bookstores and through our annual book sales. Our city our story our city, our story aims to share the. In 1847, during one of the great collegebuilding eras in american history, rockford female seminary was chartered by the illinois legislature. Immerse yourself into worldclass art, exciting history, and mindbending science. At discovery center museum you can explore over 250 interactive exhibits. Gunfire broke out in the streets when networks of prohibition informants slid sideways. The largest city in illinois outside of the chicago metropolitan area, rockford is the thirdlargest city in the state and the 171st most populous in the united states. When you visit discovery center museum, you and your family can explore the world, and even the universe, without ever leaving our inspiring environment. Family history library rockford, il 1857, 185960 city directories allen county public library rockford, il 19021905, 19071909, 19111912, 19141930, 19321935 city directories allen county public library. May 4, 2020 looking to get inspired on your trip to rockford.
Rockford has a distinguished history as a furniture maker and toy maker. This history tour was created through a special project, making downtown history come alive. The forest city early settlers called it the forest city because of the river valleys verdant woods. July 17, 1872 rockford is chosen as the sight of a temporary training ground for soldiers in the ivil war. These include leaders and visionaries, like kate oconnor. Tee off at the aldeen golf club or relax in the splendor of the anderson japanese gardens. The bookworm was set up in a beijing courtyard in the sanlitun area in 2002 by alexandra pearson in the venue that is now.
Our goal is to identify all city directories in all repositories. Full text of history of rockford and winnebago county, llinois, from the first settlement in 1834 to the civil war see other formats. Find 9 listings related to rockford historical society in rockford on. In the 1990s, for example, the company came out with its first osha approved machine barrier guards that meet such high demand that a separate building was. Rockford public library offers traditional books, ebooks, audiobooks, music. Please understand that there is a large number of items that we have multiple copies of already or. Whatever your style, youll find it at one of rpls branch locations. Burpee museum membership membership drive 2018 now through december 31st take advantage of savings during membership drive 2018 pricing.
Until world war ii, rockford was the secondlargest furniture manufacturing center in the u. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. But the town once named midway also harbors a history of crime and calamity. Rpls local history a digital collection of rockford. Rockford history the town of rockford was established by legislative act in 1789 and served as the county seat of surry county until 1850. By 1982 the rockford plant was closed and sold off. Articles are about local people, places and events. Materials include old maps including the city of st. The friends of rockford public library is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to supporting the library and its programs. Located on the banks of the rock river, rockford is the county seat of winnebago county a small portion of the city is located in ogle county.
Rockford rightly prizes its prosperous heritage, earned by manufacturing concerns like the rockford watch factory and the manny reaper company. Our city, our story aims to share the stories that comprise this communitys unique, complex, and diverse identity in order to connect and inspire us. The rockford union furniture company in 1876 was the first of 25 area furniture factories. In 1962 they still employed 3,500 and made hardware. These records date from the 1840s to present day and the collection is growing every day. The society hosts various events throughout the year and partners with local businesses, museums, and government facilities to keep rockford s history alive and thriving. Rockford city directory and county gazetteer for 1869. The training grounds are called amp fuller and one of the most famous female soldiers trains there. Please follow these links for press releases, events, or emergency information, or click on one of the links below to visit our interactive sites for media inquiries please contact laura.
A growing settlement 1851 rockford is the county seat of winnebago county, and until the 1850s was a sleepy country village. Until 1850, surry county encompassed present day yadkin county. Lundins history is well written and illustrated and has an intelligent interpretative framework, which makes it unique among the several histories of the city. Rockford white pages phone books in illinois il whitepages.
The first classes were held in the old downtown courthouse. The rockford certified open mic and poetry slam is a monthly event designed to provide local artists with a chance to share their work in a supportive environment. A history of rockford hardcover january 31, 2000 by pat cunningham author 5. Aug 15, 2015 the national lock company in rockford was founded in 1903 and by ww ii employed 4,200 employees. Our fine list of museums and rockford attractions will capture the attention of any explorer and adventure seeker. Rockford, illinois was first settled in 1834 but didnt become an official city until 1856. The society hosts various events throughout the year and partners with local businesses, museums, and government facilities to keep rockfords history alive and thriving. This event is generally held on the third tuesday of every month, from 6pm to 8pm. The museum features unique and magnificent exhibits that include a 21foot wellpreserved juvenile t. Although the settlement was still trying to establish themselves as a legitimate city, early local newspapers were already circulating and recording valuable information starting back in 1840. Rockford, illinois, newspaper archives genealogybank. The rockford historical society board of trustees meet every third monday of the month at veterans memorial hall. Beyond the rock partners with the rockford historical museum to produce 10 short videos from multiple perspectives in a classroom video challenge. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone.
The burpee museum of natural history is located along the rock river in the heart of the city. Charles public library scpl digital collection chronicles the events and people that have shaped the history of st. Starting in 2008, jan carter, who worked in the rockford public librarys local history department, started collecting historical information and pictures of the rockford area. Rockford historical society home rockford, il history. Charles township and campton township, militia records, biographies, photographs, diaries and other. We invite you to step back into rockford s rich and vibrant history at midway village museum, and learn more about the people who made this community great. Learn of the history of the area at midway village and museum center, a living museum with pioneer village and exhibits. Our entire store is stocked with items that are brought to us, as we buy items from people everyday. Learn about the rich and vibrant history of rockford, il. The small community was known as new rockford and old rockford in the 1840s. Rockford, il history historic rockford information.
Rockford was named for the rocky ford of the east fork of the white river where easier crossing was permitted by a rock river bottom. A digital collection of rockford, illinois history. Search for trends in hundreds of thousands of texts. We invite you to step back into rockfords rich and vibrant history at midway village museum, and learn more about the people who made this community great. The national lock company in rockford was founded in 1903 and by ww ii employed 4,200 employees. The friends are communityminded people who wish to offer practical support. Born in rockford in 1863 to an irish immigrant family, kate was the youngest of eight children. Anyone can join the friends of rockford public library.
Many local businesses advertized regularly in the playbills. Timeline of rokfords history the rockford public library is organized and the main library opens in november 1903 thanks to a arnegie grant. Rockford public library offers traditional books, ebooks, audiobooks, music, and videos. This structure later became a cobblers shop and then a residence. See more ideas about rockford illinois, illinois and history. The collection has over 9,000 volumes of books, plus materials on microfilm and microfiche. See more ideas about southern illinois, illinois and history.
Nuggets of history has been in continuous publication since 1963. Full text of history of rockford and winnebago county. Nov 09, 2015 rockford rightly prizes its prosperous heritage, earned by manufacturing concerns like the rockford watch factory and the manny reaper company. Our riverfront museum campus features three museums in one convenient location featuring rockfords newest and oldest dinosaur named jane at burpee museum of natural history to the more than 250 hands. State street, which runs through the district, became an important transportation corridor between belvidere and galena. This tour relates just some of the history that has taken place. Current editions are offered as a part of rockford historical society annual membership. Enjoy our new digital services including the cloudlibrary, and checkout all the classes and events. Rockford systems history parallels that of the evolution of osha and, over the course of its history, the company has worked to dovetail its products to oshas developing regulations. Burpee museum of natural history in rockford burpee museum.
By 1837, the village of midway was renamed rockford in recognition of the rocky river ford the settlers founded our city near. Nov 04, 2015 beyond the rock partners with the rockford historical museum to produce 10 short videos from multiple perspectives in a classroom video challenge. Family history library undoubtedly, there are other city directories for this locality that are not listed here. Rockford public library, the second such institution in illinois, opened to the public in august 1872. Our riverfront museum campus features three museums in one convenient location featuring rockford s newest and oldest dinosaur named jane at burpee museum of natural history to the more than 250 hands. In cooler weather, warm up at the vaudevillian coronado theater or visit jane the trex at the burpee museum of natural history.
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