South Main Street along River Rockford Illinois
Color photo showing an unpaved path above the banks of the Rock River.
1920
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2017.1.207
Camp Grant, pumping plant on beautiful Rock River
A building beside a raised reservoir with a wide vista of surrounding trees and the Rock River.
Photo-Post Card Co., Rockford IL
1917
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75.240.6
Air View Looking West, Camp Grant, Ill.
Aerial rendering of the crisscross patterns of roads, fields, and buildings that make up Camp Grant. On back: "Lower center is the Recruit Reception Center, where as many as 20,000 new soldiers may be outfitted and processed each month. Top left is the Medical Department Replacement Center, where approximately 6,000 soldiers get 13 weeks of basic military and medical training before they are sent out to their permanent assignments. Top right, at the loop in the road and near the bend in the Rock River, is Camp Grant headquarters. At far right is the extensive station hospital, which has a capacity of about 500 patients."
1941
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97.16.23
Greater Rockford Airport
Aerial view of the airport on the left with woods and the Rock River on the right separated by a road. On back: "Greater Rockford Airport was established on property, which during World War I and II was a military reservation known as Camp Grant, Illinois. Greater Rockford Airport Authority was established in 1945 under Illinois State Statutes. Authority District encompasses Rockford and three other townships; governed by a Board of six Commissioners; served by Ozark Air Lines; home base of many business aircraft."
Herzog Photographers
Color-View Inc.
1950
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2006.82.21
West Side Skyline
View across Rock River from the News Tower showing the C.T.U. Building on the West side bank, a boat in the river, and cars on the State Street bridge.
Jack Taylor, Dexter Press, Pearl River IL
Rockford Photo Service
1955
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74.665.34.6
Bird's Eye View, looking North, Rockford, Ill.
With the Rock River beyond the buildings and horse and buggies in the street.
S. H. Knox & Co.
1909
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85.109.(I)102
Aerial view of business section and Rock River bridges
This view is as seen from the Amerock Building. The Lorden Storage building is in the lower, mid-right foreground and the News Tower is across the Rock River to the right in the middle distance.
Jack Taylor, Dexter Press, Pearl River IL
Rockford Photo Service
1950
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85.109.(I)104
Air View, Rockford, Illinois
A view depicting four motor bridges and one railroad bridge (very bottom) across the Rock River.
Waldsmith Photo
Curteich-Chicago
1940
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85.109.(I)108
Downtown Section, Rockford, Ill. - 44
A view looking North showing the Downtown district on the left, with three bridges spanning the Rock River.
E. C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee WI
1940
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85.109.(I)111
Bird's-eye View looking towards Chestnut St. Bridge at night, Rockford, Ill.
A graphic rendering with a moon peeking through clouds to illuminate the city's buildings on both sides of the Rock River.
E. C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee WI
1940
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85.109.(I)113
Aeroplane View of Rockford, Ill.
Aerial view of Rockford's buildings on both sides of the Rock River. Two of the city's bridges are in the scene.
1950
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85.109.(I)124
West Side Manufacturing District, Rockford, Ill.
Black and White depiction of buildings across the Rock River, with two large smokestacks in view and a bridge far left. This card is postmarked July 13, 1916.
Central Book Store, Rockford IL
1916
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85.109.(I)125
Untitled [industrial area]
Black and White photo of manufacturing buildings on both sides of the Rock River boasting several large smokestacks and railroad tracks far right. What looks to be Ward Pump Company is in the middle foreground.
1905
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85.109.(I)126
Scenic View West Side, Rockford, Ill.
Colorful depiction of West Side buildings across the Rock River with tree tops in view lower left.
S. A. Knox & Co.
1915
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85.109.(I)136
View from Girder Bridge, Rockford, Ill.
Looking across the Rock River at Rockford Wholesale Grocery Company, E. S. Gregory, Uneeda Biscuit, and Red Line Transfer-Storage. A boat is at the bank in front of this row of buildings.
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85.109.(I)246
3701. Bird's-Eye View of Rockford, Ill.
View of building tops with the Rock River in the middle distance and the other side of the river at the top. This card seems to be postmarked either June or July of 1916.
1916
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85.109.(I)257a
Birds Eye View looking South
Black and White depiction of buildings with the Rock River in the center. This card is postmarked November 27, 1907
1907
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85.109.(I)257b
Bird's-Eye View of Rockford, Ill.
Aerial color view of buildings on both East and West sides of the Rock River.
The Acmegraph Co.
1915
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85.109.(I)257e
Bird's Eye View looking South [B&W]
Black and White depiction of Rockford's downtown areas with the Rock River in the middle. This card is postmarked January 9, 1905.
1905
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85.109.(I)257g
Factory District at Night, Rockford, Ill.
Image of lighted buildings at night with a moon casting its glow on the Rock River.
1910
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86.55.6 4 of 11
Black Hawk Park by Moonlight, Rockford, Ill.
Depicts the fields, trees, and the moon shining down on the Rock River.
1910
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86.55.6 6 of 11
Illinois Boat and Dock at night, Rockford, Ill.
A crescent moon shines on a boat in the Rock River while people watch from shore. There is a cannon on the right.
1910
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86.55.6 11 of 11
Rockford
Depicts East Side (lower portion) and West Side (upper portion) divided by the Rock River, crossed by three bridges in this scene. Faust Hotel is wedge-shaped brick building lower right and the Metro Center is red building with white roof upper left. On back: "Aerial View Downtown Rockford, Illinois. Rockford situated on both banks of the Rock River is a unique place for business, tourism, and living. More than 250 'Trailblazer' signs guide you to tourist highlights. Famous for over 100 parks and paygrounds - a town of varied appeal - there's something for everyone. The serenity of age and the challenge of youth - This is Rockford."
Photo Views, 112 North Main, Galena IL 61036
1990
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2010.41.5
Court House and West State Street, Rockford, Ill.
View looking down on West State Street with the Rock River in the distance and the Court House to the right.
Wendell Stationery Co., Rockford IL
1915
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85.109(I).263
Untitled [Rockford News Tower]
The News Tower, on the East Side of the Rock River, with the News building branching out on the right.
1970
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85.109.837
News Tower, Rockford, Illinois
Color photograph of the News Tower Building on the East side of the Rock River by the State Street Bridge. Notice the boat pulling a skier in front of the building. On back: "Home of the Rockford Register-Republic and the Rockford Morning Star, and of Radio Station WROK."
C. Carroll Thill
Color View, Inc.
1960
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2006.82.5
Arrow Steamboat on the Rock River
This photograph was taken shortly after the Arrow launch looking north from the east side of the Rock River just north of the State Street bridge. This was the ship's maiden voyage. The Arrow would serve until she sank in 1900. Note the large crowd along the river bank. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 115.)
circa 1885
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88.122.590
Skating on the Rock River
The State Street bridge frames the background of this wintry scene on the Rock River as skaters enjoy a winter afternoon.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.600
Small Steamboat on the River
A small steamboat is anchored near shore with two individuals by a gangplank on the boat. In the foreground it appears that someone has disrobed and placed their clothing on a tree stump. It is highly likely the photo was taken somewhere along the Rock River.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.603
Three Men on a Bridge Railing
Three men dressed in business wear pose while seated on a bridge railing over the Rock River. The view seems to be looking north and a second bridge appears in the distance. Smokestacks belch out smoke in the background.
circa 1895 - 1900
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88.122.604
Scenic Rock River
Two women stand on the bank of the Rock River. One has a parasol in hand. A large limestone bluff appears in the background.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.617
Rock River Above the Fordham Dam
This photograph appears to be looking west across the Rock River at the Chick Mill Works just south of the Chicago, Milwaukee, & Gary Railroad bridge.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.620
River Scenic View
This photograph was taken from a higher position on the river shore looking down at a bend in the Rock River. There are rooflines to the right of center but it is unclear what the structures might be.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.627
Two Men in a Sailing Skiff
Two men relax in a small wooden sailing skiff on what appears to be the Rock River. A small headsail and mainsail are deployed to catch the wind.
circa 1895 - 1900
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88.122.630
Harlem Avenue View
This photograph looks west across the Rock River at Harlem Avenue (National Avenue) homes. Railroad tracks run in the foreground and cross a small bridge. This photo may have been taken from what would become the Sinnissippi Park bluffs north of what is now the Sinnissippi Lagoon.
circa 1895 - 1900
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88.122.647
Illinois Central Railroad Trestle Bridge and National Sugar and Syrup Co.
This photograph was taken looking north from a bluff on the west side of the Rock River. The Chicago & Iowa Railway tracks are in the foreground. The Illinois Central Railroad trestle bridge appears in the background with the National Sugar and Syrup Company in the distant left portion.
circa 1895 - 1900
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88.122.668
Launch of the Steamship Arrow
The Arrow, Rockford's first public steamboat, was launched on the Rock River in 1885 and served well until sinking in 1900. This photograph looks north up the Rock River. The boat was launched next to Fred G. Shoudy's Wholesale grocery business at 116 N. Water Street just north of the State Street bridge.
circa 1885
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88.122.669
Limestone Bluff on the River
A large wooded limestone bluff dominates this river scene. A small "clamming" boat appears in the left background. The location of this scene is not known.
circa 1890 - 1900
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88.122.701
Rock River Dredging
Dredging on the Rock River was not an unusual sight in the late 1890s. The floating dredging barge seen in this photo was probably in use for increasing the depth of the channel. Similar dredging also took place for harvesting freshwater clams and mussels for the button industry.
circa 1895 - 1900
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88.122.718
Rock River Scenic View of Harlem Avenue
This photo looks southwest from the Sinnissippi Park area toward Harlem Avenue (National Avenue and Harlem Boulevard) and its riverfront homes.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.724
Skating on the Rock River
A very large group of people stand on the ice on either side of the Rock River and also on the East State Street bridge. This photograph was taken looking southeast. Rockford High School and Rockford Watch Company rooflines are visible just to the right of center. Rockford Wholesale Grocery, 116-118-120 N. Water Street, is at the far left. It seems that the crowd has gathered to watch some kind of skating race on the river.
circa 1895 - 1900
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88.122.748
American House Hotel
American House Hotel, 127 N. Madison Street, sat at the southeast corner of Market and Madison Streets in Rockford near the east side of the Rock River. It was one of many early hotels in the city.
circa 1900 - 1910
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88.122.758
River Dredging
Dredging on the Rock River (and other northern Illinois rivers) was not an unusual sight in the late 1890s. The floating dredging barge seen in this photograph was probably in use for increasing the depth of the channel. Similar dredging also took place for harvesting freshwater clams and mussels for the button industry. It is unclear which truss bridge is seen in the background. Other similar photos in the collection include 90.5.52 and 88.122.718.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.770
Community Ice Skating on the Rock River
During the winter, the Rock River became a popular place for citizens to ice skate. This photograph was taken directly north of the State Street bridge looking east. The Rockford Wholesale Grocery building is in the background. This photograph may have been taken the same day as photo 90.5.36. The glass plate is damaged, missing the upper left corner. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 292.)
circa 1900 - 1905
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88.122.781
Rock River Scene
It is unclear where this photograph was taken on the Rock River. Several church steeples appear on the right (Second Congregational?). The industrial area around Rockford High School and the Rockford Watch Factory are also visible to the right.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.782
Small Steam-powered Boat at the Shore
A small steam-powered boat is at the shore near some large wooded bluffs. The pipe-smoking captain holds the wheel and looks at the photographer. As personal watercraft on the Rock River, steamboats were not common at the time. This photograph may have been taken south of Rockford by the Byron bluffs on the Rock River.
circa 1895 - 1905
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88.122.795
Sinnissippi Park Lagoon
The Sinnissippi Park Lagoon was acquired by the Rockford Park District in 1909. The lagoon sits on the east side of the Rock River below Sinnissippi Park, which is to the west. This photograph was taken looking north along the path of the Rock River which runs to the left. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 376.)
circa 1905 - 1910
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88.122.801
Chestnut Street Bridge Construction
In 1890, the East State Street bridge in downtown Rockford was replaced with a new bridge. The old bridge was cut into large sections and floated down river to create a new Chestnut Street bridge. This photograph captures one of those sections being floated downriver with several men on different levels of the floating structure. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 124.)
circa 1890
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88.122.817
Rock River Ice Skating
During the winter, the Rock River became a popular place for citizens to ice skate. This photograph was taken directly north of the State Street bridge looking east. The Rockford Wholesale Grocery building is in the background. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 292.)
circa 1900 - 1905
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90.5.36
Rockford West Side Looking East Over The River Between the East State Street and Chestnut Street Bridges
View of Rockford's east side showing prominent Rockford buildings and businesses between the East State Street and Chestnut Street bridges, from left to right: Republic Building, Rockford YMCA Building, Rockford Steam Boiler, and Watchmaker's Institute.
circa 1896
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90.5.40