Browse Items (132 total)
Sort by:
Early Automobiles
Two early automobiles appear in an alley. The auto in the foreground may be a 1906 Williams Electric Runabout or a Veracity Runabout with a 2-cylinder gas engine. The location in Rockford of this photograph is unclear.
Cities Service Station.
The Cities Service gas station,in the 300 block of Elm Street, is adjoined by Hayes Diner and the Greyhound Lines Bus Depot. In the background is the turret of the William Brown Building and part of the Nelson Hotel sign.
Rockford Screw Products Airplane
Rockford Screw Products corporate airplane, the "Screw Bird" sits on the tarmac with two men shaking hands in front of it. Company President Swan Hillman sits in a Ford Thunder Bird in front of the plane.
Rockford Products Sample Automotive Part
Rockford Products sample part. This was part of an automobile brake system.
Rockford Products Sample Automotive Parts
Rockford Products sample parts. Most were used in automotive assembly.
Rockford Products Sample Parts
Rockford Products manufactured pins and clips. Some are for cabinet locking mechanisms. The smaller pins in front are for holding down the tops for convertibles.
Rockford Products Automotive and Cabinet Components
Rockford Products manufactured components. From left to rights are an Amerock Window Crank components, a Ford fuel nozzle part a Ford transmission pin and part of a gear shift.
Rockford Products Automotive Components
Rockford Products manufactured automotive parts and chuck keys.
Rockford Products Automotive Components
Rockford Products manufactured automotive parts.
Rockford Products Automotive Components
An ABS brake part made for Bendix by Rockford Products.
Rockford Products Automotive Suspension Parts
Automobile front end suspension parts manufactured by Rockford Products.
Early Automobile
Three men in a circa 1910 automobile. Wicker containers are at the side and rear of the automobile.
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.
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.…
Peoria-Rockford Bus Company
Peoria Rockford Bus Company vehicle. The company was introduced in 1932, first appearing in the 1935 Rockford City Directory at 1117 North Second Street. In 1938 the company moved to 320 Elm Street.
Yellow Cab and Transfer Company
Yellow Cab Company first appears in the 1920 Rockford City Directory at 218 South Wyman Street. In 1926 the company name changed to Yellow Cab and Transfer Company. The company is listed in the directory until 1947.
Early 20th Century Automobile
A driver and passenger in a car at what may have been the race track. Another car and buggies are in the background.
Winnebago County Nurse
Three women standing next to automobiles, marked on the sides "Winnebago County Nurse". In 1918, the Winnebago County Health Department developed a nursing service and a nurse was added to the staff by 1920.
1935 Chevrolets
1935 Chevrolet automobiles on display in a show room.
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…
Traveling by Automobile
Two unidentified women standing in front of an early 1900s model automobile. The women are wearing suits with long skirts and matching jackets that were worn in the city or for travel.
Gravel Truck
This truck was used to haul gravel from the gravel pit at Alpine Park for use on roads in Guilford Township. Axel Holmes and his father Charles Holmes were Guilford Township Road Commissioners.
A Drive in the Country
An unidentified male drives two unidentified women along a country lane.
Traveling by Car
An unidentified couple standing beside a car. The male is checking what might be a map.
Traveling by Car
Women posing near a car. A spare tire is strapped to the side of the car.
Nell Pierson
Nell Pierson and a car.
Ina Siden
Ina Siden by a car.
Illinois License Plates
A car with a 1938 Illinois license plate. Illinois first required car owners to register their vehicles in 1907 with owners providing their own license plates until the state issued them in 1911. 1934 is the first time the state name, "Illinois", is…
Green Street, Rockford, Illinois
Parked cars along Green Street, Rockford, Illinois in 1927.
Teachout Family Outing
Possibly Ed and "Min" Gorham with Adella Teachout and several of the Teachout girls. Fred Dwight Teachout (born in Rockford April 27, 1858 - May 10, 1937) and his wife Adella Rachel (Jones) Teachout (born in Seward May 14, 1864 - June 6, 1948) had…
Peoria-Rockford Bus Company
Group of unidentified men posing in front of two Silver Arrow Peoria-Rockford Bus Company charter buses.
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…
1930s Automobile
Unidentified man with a 1930s automobile.
Shoveling Snow
A man shoveling the snow around a car.
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.
Parade in Rockford
Convertible in a parade driving on the side of the Winnebago County Courthouse and County Jail near Elm and Court Streets. Two passengers in the back seat are possibly Shriners.
Model T Automobile
Possibly a Model T automobile. The photo is printed on an AZO photographic postcard that were produced by Eastman Kodak.
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.
Rockford Furniture Company
Rockford Furniture Company, located at 1009 West Jefferson Street.
Street Scene
An unidentified woman with two men. An early 20th century automobile is at left and a trolley is in the background at the right.
Electric Car
Possibly an electric car. The first small scale electric cars were invented in the 1830s with the first practical electric car being built in the 1870s and becoming popular by 1900. Electric cars at this time were quieter and cleaner than the gas…
Motorcycle Racing
Early motorcycle racing. Motorcycles were first introduced in 1901 and Harley Davidsons in 1903. Early races were held on horse tracks with wooden tracks specially built by 1909. This image is a photographic postcard produced by Eastman Kodak.
Motorized Bicycle
Early motorized bicycle or motorcycle. Bicycles began to be motorized with steam engines in the mid 1800s. Motorcycle manufacturing in the United States began in 1901. This image is a photographic postcard produced by Eastman Kodak.
Percy Ford
A photographic postcard of Percy Ford. Percy Ford (March 15 1888 - March 8, 1962) was a national amateur race car driver from Chicago, Illinois where he was an automobile sales manager. He started racing in 1915 at the Chicago Speedway and raced in…
Robert Burman
A photographic postcard of Bob Burman in a Peugeot car. The Peugeot family started manufacturing cars in France during the 1890s. They were an early pioneer in car racing. Robert Burman (April 23, 1884 - April 8, 1916) was an American race car…
Kurt Hitke
A photographic postcard of Kurt Hitke in the "Roamer" car. Kurt Hitke (December 1, 1889 - February 23, 1979) was a German born, naturalized American race car driver. He became one of the best known race car drivers in the United States. He was an…
Motorcycle Racing
Motorcycle Racing
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.
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.
Automobile Races
Automobile racing on a dirt road. It is possible that this is a track rather than a public road.