History of Rockford, Illinois, USA

1854 - Rockford
Rockford, a flourishing post-village, capital of Winnebago county, Illinois, is finely situated on the loft (E.) bank of Rock river, and on the Chicago and Galena railroad, 97 miles W. N. W. from Chicago. Rockford is the centre of an active business, and has abundant water-power. It has nearly all been built since 1830. Its growth was constant and moderate until 1850, when it began to increase with great rapidity. This was mainly caused by a prospect of the early completion of the railroad from Chicago to this point. Rockford has 5 churches, 1 bank, and 1 or 2 newspaper offices. Population in 1853, about 3500.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1877 - TERRIBLE DISASTER.
CHICAGO, May 11. - A Tribune's special from Rockford, Ills., says: A pall has fallen over what this morning was a happy community. The Winnebago county court house, which this morning when our citizens commenced their days labor was the pride of their hearts, is now a desolate ruin, a monument of criminal incompetency. Some families which bade adieu to their loved ones this morning, received their corpses to-night disfigured by the ruins from which they were drawn piece meal.

The building was not yet under roof and the massive stone cornice which preceded the roof was to-day being put on. Just as the keystone was being placed in the dome of the main pavilion the brick work between the iron and stone gave way and the entire dome and the interior walls of the structure came crashing down - with a terrible crash that was heard nearly a mile away.

Within ten minutes after the disaster no less than four bodies were recovered by the almost superhuman efforts of the crowd that quickly... Read MORE...

1890 - NARROW ESCAPE OF WORKMEN.
ROCKFORD, Ill., March 25. - Special Telegram---About 8 o'clock this morning the new factory of the Star Furniture Company collapsed, ruining it utterly. Twenty men at work on the structure barely escaped with their lives. The building was four stories high and the roof had just been put on. It was a frame building and was to have been veneered over with brick. There was a very high wind this morning and the windows not yet being in the building went down. The twenty men at work inside were warned by a sudden bulging of the walls and barely escaped before the structure went down. The loss is from $2,000 to $5,000, according to the value of the material in the wreck. C. E. Carison was the contractor, but the company furnished its own material. Some think the catastrophe was due to faulty construction.
The Sunday Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 1890

1895 - Rockford
Rockford, a flourishing city of Illinois, the capital of Winnebago co., is situated on the Rock River at the convergence of four trunk railroad lines, having 75 trains daily, 93 miles W.N.W. of Chicago, and about 20 miles S. by W. of Beloit, Wis. It contains 35 commodious churches, a school system embracing 74 public schools, a state and 7 national banks, 29 incorporated furniture companies, an elegant hotel erected at a cost of $250,000, a fine government building ($100,000), a public library of 18,500 volumes, and manufactures of cottons, woollens, paper, watches, iron products and machinery, farming utensils, brewery products, &c. Its manufacturing establishments number about 200 and give employment to about 12,000 hands. Thirty-two miles of electric railway traverse its streets, and 7 artesian wells afford an abundance of excellent water. Three daily and 5 weekly newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1880, 13,129; in 1890, 23,584.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1900 - Mishap At City Quarry. Bert Miller Meets With A Terrible Tumble Breaking One Leg.
And Bruising Head and Body-Fell Thirty Feet from Rocky Ledge to Stone Floor Below-At City Hospital.

Bert Miller, a young man residing at 1027 South Court Street, met with a mishap at the city stone quarry this forenoon which came near terminating his employment with the city and his career at the same time.

He was operating a drill standing on a ledge and in some unaccountable manner fell off the ledge to the stone bed thirty feet below sustaining injuries which will lay him up for some time but are not expected to prove fatal, although it is a marvel that he was not killed outright.

The injured man was picked up unconscious and conveyed to the City Hospital, where Drs. Culhane and Frost looked after his injuries. He sustained a compound fracture of one thigh, the bones protruding through the flesh, a severe gash in one knee and some bruises about the head and face.

How the accident happened is a mystery. The drill which he was operating stood some six feet away from the... Read MORE...

1906
Rockford, a city, capital of Winnebago co, Ill., is situated on the Rock River and on the Illinois Central, the Chicago and Northwestern and other railroads, 87 miles WNW. of Chicago. It has large and varied manufacturing industries, which are represented by foundries and machine-shops, nut and bolt-works, numerous furniture-factories, paper and woollen mills, and manufactories of clothing, hosiery, sewing-machines, watches, barb-wire, agricultural implements, machinery, etc. Rockford College is located here. Pop. in 1880, 13,129; in 1890, 23,584; in 1900, 31,051.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1908 - FIRE AT ROCKFORD, ILL.
ROCKFORD, Ill., March 23. - Fire early today damaged the business block occupied by the Rockford & Interurban company and the W. Clark Printing company, to the extent of $75,000.
The Duluth News Tribune
Duluth, Minnesota
March 24, 1908

1944 - Woman Dies as Car Hits Tree - Car Skids on Ice on South Main Road
Mrs. Ruth Williamson, 30, Rochelle, was killed at 3:40 a.m. Sunday when she lost control of her automobile on the ice on South Main road a half mile north of Pelley road and the machine crashed into a tree.

Mrs. Williamson, whose husband, Staff Sgt. Floyd Williamson, is serving with the army in the South Pacific, incurred a fracture of the neck and was pronounced dead upon arrival at St. Anthony hospital, where she was taken by her father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs.

Henry Nottelmann, Pelly road.

Found by Father

The Nottelmanns had met Mrs. Williamson in Rockford after she had finished her night's work in a Loves Park tavern and followed in their car when she started for home. Mrs. Williamson had intended to drive back to Rochelle although the Nottlemanns had sought to persuade her to spend the night at their home because of the icy condition of the roads.

Mr. and Mrs. Nottlemann were driving some distance behind Mrs. Williamson's car and did not witness the accident. ... Read MORE...

1948 - Burned when Sparkler Ignites Girl’s Dress
A 7-year-old was recovering last night from painful burns on her left arm and right leg suffered about 9 p.m. Sunday when a sparkler ignited her dress while she was celebrating the Fourth of July.

Quick action by Felix Elliott, 1607 12 West State, grandfather of Sandra Lee Anderson, saved the girl from serious burns.

Elliott, when he was a spot of flame on the girl’s dress, slapped it out with his hand.
Morning Star
Rockford, Illinois
July 6, 1948

Rockford, Illinois has a lot to offer in terms of attractions and activities. Here's a diverse list for you:
Anderson Japanese Gardens: Experience tranquility and natural beauty at this stunning Japanese garden. It's a perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens: This beautiful facility features tropical plants, exotic butterflies, and seasonal flower displays. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll.

Rock Cut State Park: If you enjoy outdoor activities, Rock Cut State Park offers hiking, camping, fishing, and boating opportunities. The park also has a beach for swimming in the summer.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden: Explore the diverse plant collections, gardens, and walking paths in this serene setting. It's a lovely place for a peaceful walk.

Midway Village Museum: Step back in time and explore the history of Rockford. This living history museum features 26 historical buildings and costumed interpreters.

Burpee Museum of Natural History: Home to Jane, the juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, and other fascinating exhibits, this museum is a... Read MORE...