"Arrow" Steamboat
The banks of the Rock River with the excursion steamboat "Arrow" and row boats. The "Arrow" was the first steamboat launched in Rockford in 1885. It sank in 1900. This picture may be of the "Arrow's" maiden voyage on the Rock River.
circa 1885
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"City of Rockford" Steamboat
"City of Rockford" excursion steamboat on the Rock River. In 1918 the steamer "Illinois" was purchased by the Excursion Amusement Co. and renamed the "City of Rockford". It was carrying 50,000 people annually until it was destroyed by fire on March 4, 1924 while in its winter berth.
1918 - 1924
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"Illinois" Steamboat
Steamboat "Illinois" on the Rock River, possibly near Harlem Park.
circa 1910s
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1930s Automobile
Nora and George H. sitting on the front fenders of a circa 1930s automobile. In February 1942, car, commercial truck and auto part manufacture stopped in the United States until October 1945 as resources were rationed during World War II.
June 1945
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1930s Automobile
Unidentified man with a 1930s automobile.
circa 1932
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1935 Chevrolets
1935 Chevrolet automobiles on display in a show room.
circa 1935
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A Bicycle Built for Three
Three men on a three-passenger bicycle ride in front of the Nelson Hotel at 306 South Main Street.
circa 1894
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A Bicycle Race
Cyclists line up at the start of a bicycle race Possibly Fairgrounds Park.
circa 1880s
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A Drive in the Country
An unidentified male drives two unidentified women along a country lane.
circa 1910 - 1920
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A High Wheel Bicyclist
Man on a high wheel bicycle performing in front of grandstand filled with spectators. Possibly Driving Park or Fairgrounds Park.
circa 1890s
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A July 4th Visit to Rockford by Early Bicyclists
A large group of cyclists stand with their bicycles on the lawn to the left of an unidentified house.
circa 1890s
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A River Scene
Canoes and a boathouse at the edge of a river, at the base of a stone cliff.
circa early 1900s
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A River Scene
Two small fishing boats.
circa late 1800s
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A Young Cyclist
Young man with an early bicycle stands on a gravel pathway surrounded by trees and plants.
circa 1890s
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Adams Express at the Opera House
Liveried drivers in two horse drawn delivery wagons in front of the Opera House. One wagon is an Adams Express wagon, for the national shipping company.
circa 1900
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Airplane Crash
A crowd of spectators gathers around an airplane that has crashed. The location is unknown.
circa 1920s
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An Utter Family Bike Ride
Utter family on a bike ride. Four ladies and one man on bicycles face the camera in front of an unidentified home.
circa 1900
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Army Pursuit Plane at Machesney Airport
Army pursuit plane, taken at the Machesney Airport. The United States Army called their fighter airplanes "pursuit aircraft" from 1916 to the late 1940s. The Machesney Airport was founded in 1927. During World War II, it was used by United States fighter planes as a stop over on their way to the Soviet Union. The airport closed in 1974 due to the increasing popularity of the Greater Rockford Airport.
circa 1939
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Automobile Duster
A lady wearing a duster waits in the passenger seat of an early 20th century automobile. A duster is a coat worn to protect other clothing while riding in an open automobile. The wrap over the woman's head also protects her face and hair from dust and wind while traveling in the open automobile on the unpaved roads. Specialized clothing became very popular during the first decade of the 20th century. Cars at this time were owned by the wealthy and the clothing became a status symbol.
circa 1910s
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Automobile Races
Motor sports were popular since the invention of automobiles and motorcycles in the early 1900s. Early races took place on public dirt roads.
circa 1910 - 1920
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Automobile Races
Motor sports were popular since the invention of automobiles and motorcycles in the early 1900s. Early races took place on public dirt roads. Goggles protected the driver's eyes from airborne dirt from the roads.
circa 1910 - 1920
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Automobile Races
Automobile racing on a dirt road. It is possible that this is a track rather than a public road.
circa 1915 - 1925
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Automobile Races
Automobile racing on possibly a public dirt road. Many spectators line both sides of the road.
circa 1915 - 1925
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Automobile Steering
Mr. T.J.M.S. poses in his automobile. Before 1908, almost every car built in the United States had the steering wheel located at the right side of the automobile, following the practice of horse drawn carriages. When the Ford Motor Company launched their Model T in 1908, they changed the location of the steering wheel to the left side to make it easier for passengers to get into the car and avoid oncoming traffic.
circa 1900 - 1908
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Automobile Storage
Early automobiles had limited storage space. The running board was often used to carry containers for storage.
circa 1917 - 1920
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Beckwith Havens, Aviator
Beckwith Havens, aviator, at Rockford, Illinois. Beckwith became an aeroplane salesman in 1910 for the Curtiss Aeroplane Company. In 1911, Glenn Curtiss taught Beckwith how to fly and he joined the Curtiss Exhibition Team, flying in shows in thirteen states and Cuba.
August 1911
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Betts Family Outing
Horse named Morgan is pulling a surrey with "Ma" Edith Betts driving, Mrs. lena Bentley, Eddie Bentley, Joe Stevens and his mother Belle Stevens. The picture was taken at 1328 North Church Street, Rockford, Illinois.
circa 1915
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Bicycle Club
Bicycle Club from the late 1880's. Orin Rugg is sitting in the middle of the front row.
circa 1880s
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Biplane
Seven men and a boy are standing near a two-seat biplane. A biplane has two sets of fixed wings stacked above each other. This is believed to be at the Machesney Airport.
circa 1920-1930
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Biplane
A biplane with number C8191 under a wing at what is believed to be the Machesney Airfield.
circa 1920-1930
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Biplane
A two-seat biplane, possibly at the Machesney Airport. The number 4210 is painted on its tail. Two men look into the plane while seven men watch.
circa 1920-1930
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Black and White Cab Company
East side of Faust Hotel, 618 East State Street with six "Rockford Black and White Cab. Co." vehicles lined up for hotel guests. The Hotel Faust opened to the public for the first time on April 30, 1929 with the formal opening held May 25, 1929. The Rockford Black and White Cab Company relocated to the Hotel Faust in 1929. The cab company was operated by Rockford Cab and Drivuself Inc.
1929
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Boathouse
A boat house at the edge of a river
circa early 1900s
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Building Track for the Illinois Central Railroad
Building tracks for the Illinois Central Railroad.
circa 1888 - 1890s
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Building Track for the Illinois Central Railroad
Building tracks for the Illinois Central Railroad.
circa 1888 - 1890s
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Burlington Trailways
A 'Burlington Trailways' bus from Los Angeles to Chicago. The bus stop in Rockford, Illinois was located at 609 South Main Street. The Burlington Transportation Company was created in Burlington, Iowa by the Chicago Burlington Quincy (CBQ) Railroad in 1929. While the railroad focused on transporting freight, the bus was used for passenger travel. Travel from Chicago to California was added to the line in 1935. The company name changed to American Bus Lines (ABL) in 1952, returning to Burlington Trailways in 1981.
1947
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Bus Fleet
Bus fleet for Illinois C. C. They appear to be school buses.
circa 1950s
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Canoeing on a River
A row of canoes on an unknown river.
circa early to mid 1900s
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Canoes
Canoes moored around a pier. This appears to be Canoe Club activities as the canoes are filled with materials and one man is taking a photograph with a small camera.
circa 1900
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Carlson Motor Company
Automobiles on display in a show room with a "Oakland Pontiac," sign on the wall. The cars are circa 1929-1931. The Carlson Motor Company was established in the early 1920s with Fred E. Carlson as president and treasurer and Roy E. Carlson as secretary. The company was located at 1135-37 Charles Street. In 1925 the company was an Oakland car distributor, advertising "Oakland Six Sales and Service". By 1928, Carlson Motor Company included "Oakland Pontiac Sales and Service. This continued until 1934 when the company expanded to 1131-37 Charles Street and now included Ford Sales and Service with Roy E. Carlson as the service manager.
circa 1930
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Caudron C-27 Biplane
A two-seat biplane believed to be at the Machesney Airport. C-27 appears to be on the tail. The Caudron C-27 was a French trainer biplane used to train pilots.
circa 1920s
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CB&Q Depot
A depot for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) which was created in Aurora, Illinois, 1855. Another depot building was a Camp Grant in 1917.
circa early 1900s
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CB&Q Railroad Depot
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company (C B & Q) Depot located on South Main Street near Pine Street. It was built circa 1894.
circa early 20th century
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Changing a Tire
Changing a tire. The roads of 1910 - 1920s were unpaved and often rough putting a lot of wear on tires. Tires were fairly thin and were expected to last about 1000 miles.
circa 1910 - 1920
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Changing a Tire
Changing a tire. The roads of 1910 - 1920s were unpaved and often rough putting a lot of wear on tires. Tires were fairly thin and were expected to last about 1000 miles.
circa 1910 - 1930
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Chicago and Northwestern passenger Depot
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad passenger depot located at Main and Cedar Streets. There were two Chicago & Northwestern passenger depots located on Rockford's west side and two depots on Rockford's east side. These depots were at Fourth Avenue ad South Fourth Street, Madison and Jefferson Streets. Freight depots were located at Court and Cedar Streets as well as Seventh Street and Railroad Avenue.
circa 1902
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Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot, Rockford, Illinois
A colorized graphic of Central and Northwestern Railroad Depot station with dirt road and two open-top automobiles.
Annie Bjoklund
E.C. Kropp Company, Milwaukee
1922
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Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot, Rockford, Illinois
A colorized graphic of Central and Northwestern Railroad Depot station with "Passenger Station" pedway, dirt road, power lines, and "American" factory in background.
1908-1911
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Chicago Northwestern Railroad Steam Engine
Rockford; Chicago Northwestern Railroad Class R-1 steam locomotive #1146 Whyte system 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler, (4 wheel pilot truck, 6 drivers, no trailing truck) The building behind the engine is the C&NW, Rockford Engine House or Roundhouse.
circa 1870s
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Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Wreck
A black and white photo of Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad wreck with people standing around flipped railroad cars and metal bars surrounding the wreck. A man is standing inside the left-most overturned train car.
June 17, 1908
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