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Sarmatian Passenger Ship
The Sarmatian was built in Scotland in 1871. She had accommodations for 100 first-class and 850 3rd-class passengers. On July 20, 1907, she left Boston on her last voyage to Glasgow and was scrapped in 1908. This photograph may have been taken in…
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.
Group of Actors/Performers
A large group of performers pose on stage for this photograph. They may be on the stage of the Grand Opera House on Wyman Street. However, there were several other performance venues at the time: the Bijou, the Mendelssohn Club, and the Sveas Soner,…
Group of Actors/Performers
A large group of performers pose on stage for this photograph. They may be on the stage of the Grand Opera House on Wyman Street. However, there were several other performance venues at the time: the Bijou, the Mendelssohn Club, and the Sveas Soner,…
Lincoln School
Lincoln School, at the corner of North (now Park Avenue) and N. Court Streets, was adjacent to Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Lincoln School opened for students in 1857.
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…
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.
Arrow Steamboat (Interior View)
The Rock River has a long history of steamboats starting with the Gypsy arriving in 1838. The Arrow was launched in 1885 and served until sinking in 1900. This photograph appears to look toward the stern across a large group of seated passengers.
Rockford Parade on State Street
A Rockford band appears to be bringing up the rear of a parade crossing the intersection of West State and Church Streets heading west. A Rockford street car follows. Note the businesses: W. A. Moore Grocery at 401 W. State and W. H. Keig's Bakery…
Fairgrounds Footrace
Like bicycle racing, footraces of varying lengths were very common in the 1890s and early 1900s. This photograph appears to show a footrace being held at the Fairgrounds. Before Fairgrounds Park was officially founded in 1905, it served as the annual…
Group by the River
A group of ten male and female adults and one boy pose by a river holding a "seine," a large, weighted fishing net. One woman holds a shotgun over her shoulder. It is unclear where this photograph was taken.
Three Young Couples
Three well-dressed young couples pose outside for this photograph. The location and the individuals' names are unknown.
Two Men with Fish
Two fishermen are unloading their day's catch from two small canoe-type boats at a small cabin on a river shore. This photo looks like it was taken in the autumn. The river appears to have overflowed its banks, and the trees in the background are…
Train Engine House and Engine Destroyed
On Saturday, March 19, 1892, a fire of unknown origin started in the old Chicago & Iowa Railroad Engine House at the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad yard. Engine 612 and the engine house were destroyed.
Tinker Swiss Cottage, Kent Creek, and Suspension Bridge
This photograph looks southwest at Tinker cottage and the suspension bridge. Kent Creek and a small dam are seen in the foreground. The cottage is reflected in the water of the creek. A tall telephone pole rises in the forefront.
Hunting and Fishing Party
Two men sit on the porch of a large "lodge" apparently discussing a shotgun one of the men is holding. Fishing poles and oars lean against the exterior wall in the background. It is unclear where this photograph was taken.
Firemen Deomonstrate a Ladder Wagon with Hose
The ladder in this photograph is fully extended skyward with two individuals near the top along with a fire hose. The demonstration appears to be at the Fairgrounds, with a large crowd gathered to watch. Photo 88.122.614b was taken at the same time. …
Firemen Deomonstrate a Ladder Wagon with Hose
The ladder in this photograph is fully extended skyward with two individuals near the top along with a fire hose. The demonstration appears to be at the Fairgrounds, with a large crowd gathered to watch. Photo 88.122.614a was taken at the same time.
Well-Dressed Boys
A group of well-dressed boys in a residential district are captured in this photograph. The location is unknown.
Huntress Takes Five Rabbits
A woman dressed in warm clothes and holding a shotgun stands at the center of this photograph with five rabbits displayed around her in this wintry scene.
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.
Large Banner-draped Auditorium
A large two-story auditorium is draped with flag-themed banners along with a "Charity" sign dominating the visual field. The location of this auditorium as well as the occasion are unknown.
Graduation Class
A group of well-dressed young men and women pose for a group photograph. This may be a graduation class, but if so, it is unclear for which school or organization.
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.
Large Three-Story Hospital Building
Possibly a hospital, a large, unidentified three-story building with a main entry just left of center and a cross at the peak of the roofline is the subject of this photograph. It is unclear if this photo was taken in Rockford.
East State Street Shop
This particular storefront, 310 E. State Street, was a very popular location in Rockford over the years (1870s through the early 1900s and beyond). This particular photograph may show the storefront in 1890 after Frank W. Ellison formed a partnership…
Burial Tumulus Honoring Confederate Dead
This photograph appears to show the interior of a large burial vault that is being renovated. This may be the large tumulus (a burial mound) in the Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. An exterior view of the tumulus can be found in photo…
Christian Union Church
The Christian Union Church was organized on October 21, 1870 by Dr. Thomas Kerr. The church was built at the corner of Mulberry and N. Main Streets, and the cornerstone was laid on September 18, 1888. During the depression, the congregation decided…
Court Street Methodist Church
The Court Street Methodist Church was founded in 1851. The congregation built a church at its current location on the corner of N. Court and Mulberry Streets, dedicating it in May 1887. Overtime the church grounds expanded. A fire destroyed the…
Cattle Grazing
Several head of cattle are grazing in a wooded clearing in a rural area. It is unclear where the photograph was taken.
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.
Large Trestle Bridge
It is unclear if this large trestle bridge is over the Rock River or Kishwaukee River. It does not appear to be one of the railroad bridges that crossed the Rock River close to the Fordham Dam. This bridge may not be in existence currently. …
Possible Rock River Scenic View
A dam appears in the foreground of this river scene with livestock grazing in the background. There are very few buildings that would help identify the location of this scene. It could be the Rock River, but if it is, it's not the Fordham Dam.
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.
Camping in the Woods
A number of men and women relax in a wooded area near their tents. A similar depiction can be seen in photo 88.122.632.
Camping in the Woods
Two rather large tents are set up in the background. Some clothing is out on the tent lines drying. One of the men is standing next to a bicycle in this wooded area. A similar scene can be found in photo 88.122.631.
Fishermen Pose With Their Catch
Two fishermen sit in front of their tent with a stringer of fish displaying a successful day's catch after fishing on one of the local rivers.
Fishermen on the River
Three fishermen pose at their river camp. Two stand on their "jon" boat (aka johnboat), and one stands by the tent on the shore. This photograph was probably taken at the same time as photo 88.122.633.
Camping in the Woods
A number of men and women relax in a wooded area near their tents. See similar photos 88.122.632 and 88.122.631.
Camping in the Woods
A number of men pose in a wooded area near a tent and a small wooden shack. A couple of fishing poles are visible. See similar photos 88.122.632, 88.122.631, and 88.122.635.
Camping in the Woods
A group of men sit in front of their tent in a wooded area smoking cigars. See similar photos 88.122.632, 88.122.631, 88.122.635, and 88.122.636.
Tennis Activity
A large home sits in a wooded background with numerous people looking across a street toward the photographer who appears to have taken the photo from a grass tennis court. A tennis court also sits in front of the home behind a perimeter fence. Two…
Rockford College Campus
Rockford College was chartered as the Rockford Female Seminary in 1847. In 1881 it occupied a campus bordered by Morgan (aka Bluff St.), Seminary, and Division Streets on the Rock River. This photograph may be Linden, Middle, and Chapel Halls…
Rockford College Campus
Rockford College was chartered as the Rockford Female Seminary in 1847. In 1881, it occupied a campus bordered by Morgan (aka Bluff St.), Seminary, and Division Streets on the Rock River. This photograph may be Adams Hall.
Possible Rock River Scenic View
A dam appears in the foreground of this river scene with livestock grazing in the background. There are very few buildings that would help identify the location of this photograph. It could be the Rock River, but if it is, it's not the Fordham Dam.…
Rockford Street Scene
A wide dirt street appears in the center of this photograph. A number of horse-drawn buggies are seen as well as pedestrians on the side. The church in the distance and the street are unknown.
Kent Creek
This photograph looks west up what appears to be Kent Creek. What seems to be a large barn sits to the left. It is unclear where on Kent Creek this photo was taken.
Church Interior with Welcome Banner
This photograph displays a large interior, two-level seating space with platform/stage that appears to be a church. Two large banners hang from the second level: Stars and Stripes that proclaim" Welcome" and "Jesus Our Shepherd" underneath. The name…
Neighborhood Street Scene in Winter
A typical street scene of nice homes along a residential street. It appears to have been taken in the winter with snow on the ground and street and ice hanging from the roofs. This photograph may have been taken in the same area as photo 88.122.725.
Kent Creek
This photograph looks west up Kent Creek. Railroad tracks parallel the creek on the far right. A constructed path on the left follows the creek's course. This photograph may have been taken above Tinker Swiss Cottage.