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History of Rockford, Illinois, USA
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Rockford, Winnebago, IL
Rockford, Illinois, was first settled in 1834-1835 by Germanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake, and Lewis Lemon, who came from Galena and established themselves on the west bank of Rock River; and Daniel Shaw Haight, who founded a settlement on the east bank. (Lemon, a slave, later bought his freedom, but stayed in the area as a truck farmer.)
Halfway between Chicago and Galena, the community was briefly known as "Midway", but quickly became known as "Rockford", because of the excellent ford across Rock River.
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Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Rockford, Illinois, USA
History, News and Stories of Rockford, Illinois, USA

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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... Read MORE...
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... 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... Read MORE...
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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... Read MORE...
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... Read MORE...
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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... Read MORE...
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... Read MORE...
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... 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... Read MORE...
Rockford, Illinois, USA Genealogy
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Updated: 8/25/2022 2:26:44 PM
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