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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…
Kent Creek Fountain at the Illinois Central Station
A fountain is spraying a light mist of water at depot level from Kent Creek in this summer-like setting at the Illinois Central Depot looking west. A train is stopped at the station. It is unclear what the fountain is being used for. This photograph…
Kent Creek Fountain at the Illinois Central Station
Kent Creek is visible in this wintry view at the Illinois Central Railroad station on South Main Street. The creek supplies water for the "fountain" at the top center that is spraying a light mist that is freezing. It is unclear what the fountain is…
Kent Creek Fountain at the Illinois Central Station
Kent Creek is visible in this winter view at the Illinois Central Railroad station on South Main Street. A "fountain" at the top center is spraying a light mist of water from the creek that is freezing back down to water level. This photograph was…
Illinois Central Railroad Depot
The Illinois Central Railroad Depot on South Main Street is in the center of this photograph. A horse and buggy appear to be waiting for a train to arrive.
Kent Creek Fountain at the Illinois Central Station
Kent Creek is visible in this winter view looking west at the Illinois Central Railroad station on South Main Street. The creek supplies water to the "fountain" at the center, which is spraying a light mist of water that is freezing. The depot is…
Kent Creek Fountain at the Illinois Central Station
Kent Creek is visible in this winter view looking west at the Illinois Central Railroad station on South Main Street. The creek supplies water to the "fountain" at the center, which is spraying a light mist of water that is freezing. The depot is…
Aftermath of Second Congregational Church Fire
The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1849. On February 20, 1894, the church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt at the same location at 318 N. Church Street where it serves its congregation today. On December 19, 1979, fire again…
Aftermath of Second Congregational Church Fire
The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1849. On February 20, 1894, the church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt at the same location at 318 N. Church Street where it serves its congregation today. On December 19, 1979, fire again…
Second Congregational Church Fire
The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1849. On February 20, 1894, the church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt at the same location at 318 N. Church Street where it serves its congregation today. On December 19, 1979, fire again…
Aftermath of Second Congregational Church Fire
The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1849. On February 20, 1894, the church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt at the same location at 318 N. Church Street where it serves its congregation today. On December 19, 1979, fire again…
Aftermath of Second Congregational Church Fire
The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1849. On February 20, 1894, the church was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt at the same location at 318 N. Church Street where it serves its congregation today. On December 19, 1979, fire again…
Horse in Front of Blanket
It is highly likely that the horse in this photograph was owned by Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Co., located at 212 W. State Street. Moffatt was also the owner of a number of pacer and trotter horses. Horse racing was a very popular sport in…
Horse in Front of Blanket with Man
It is highly likely that the horse in this photograph was owned by Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Co., located at 212 W. State Street. Moffatt was also the owner of a number of pacer and trotter horses. Horse racing was a very popular sport in…
Horse in Front of Blanket
It is highly likely that the horse in this photograph was owned by Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Co., located at 212 W. State Street. Moffatt was also the owner of a number of pacer and trotter horses. Horse racing was a very popular sport in…
Three Men in a Buggy
Three well-dressed gentlemen, two in derbies, pose for a photograph while sitting in a buggy drawn by a horse with leather fringes. It appears that the photograph may have been taken at the Fairgrounds. It may also have been taken at the same time as…
YMCA Building/East Side Inn
The YMCA Building, at the corner of East State and Madison Streets looking north, was occupied in 1889. The building was sold in 1906 and served as the East Side Inn for many years. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 370)
Baseball Team
A group of 16 young men pose for this photograph in a park-like setting. Some members are seated on benches and several are holding their baseball gloves and bats. Rockford had a very active interest in baseball beginning in the 1860s. Albert…
Woman and Children on the Front Porch Steps
A well-dressed group of children and one woman pose for this photograph on the front porch steps of a home. The names of the individuals and the location of the photo are unknown.
Rockford Parade Route at South Main and Chestnut
This parade route view was taken from the Chestnut and South Main Street intersection looking north. Note several businesses along the east side of the street: People's Bank, H. W. Buckbee at 220 S. Main, and Empire Mercantile. The William Brown…
Rockford Parade Route at South Main and Chestnut
This parade route view of men on horseback was taken from the Chestnut and South Main Street intersection looking north. Note several businesses along the east side of the street: People's Bank, H. W. Buckbee at 220 S. Main, and Empire Mercantile.…
Rockford Parade Route at South Main and Chestnut
This parade route view of men on horseback was taken from the Chestnut and South Main Street intersection looking north. Several of the riders look like they have shields and jousting lances. Note several businesses along the east side of the street:…
Rockford Parade Route at South Main and Chestnut
This parade route view of men on horseback and a circus wagon was taken from the Chestnut and South Main Street intersection looking north. Note several businesses along the east side of the street: People's Bank, H. W. Buckbee at 220 S. Main, and…
Rockford Parade Route at South Main and Chestnut
This parade route view of men on horseback, a large horse-drawn, ammunition-carrying caisson, and two horse-drawn caissons with cannon was taken from the Chestnut and South Main Street intersection looking north. Note several businesses along the…
Limestone Bluff View
A wooded limestone bluff is featured in this photograph with water in the foreground. The location is unknown. For similar depictions, see photos 88.122.687, 88.122.701, and 88.122.715.
Catfish Catch of the Day
Two large catfish are displayed and ready for cleaning.
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…
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…
Tinker Swiss Cottage with Footbridge
This photograph was taken looking southeast from Kent Creek up at the north side of Tinker Cottage including the footbridge. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 236.)
1894 Rockford High School Graduation Photograph
The 1894 graduates of Rockford High School pose outside the main school entrance, some with diplomas in hand.
Young Girl and Kittens
A young girl holds two kittens in an outdoor setting. Buildings are in the background, and a crouching man appears over the girl's right shoulder, possibly hunching over in front of a camera. The girl's name and her location are unknown.
School Children with Teachers
It is unclear which school group is represented in this photograph and for what purpose they are assembled. Some of the students seem to be in special outfits. This photo may have been taken across Catlin Street with Kishwaukee School in the…
Harvesting Tobacco
A family works together to harvest tobacco leaves for drying. A bundle of tobacco sticks sit just left of center. The leaves are hung from the stick, transferred to the wagon and then taken to the drying barn. It is unclear where this photograph was…
Fishing Camp
A group of a dozen men pose on what seems to be the banks of a river or lake. Part of a wooden structure is seen at the left. The men, dressed casually, are in a clearing. Some are seated or reclining, but most are standing. One individual holds a…
Fred Moffatt's Horses
D. Fay, a pacer horse owned by Fred Moffatt, poses with its sulky (a lightweight, two-wheeled vehicle used by jockeys for harness racing) and driver in front of the stable. Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Company, located at 212 W. State Street,…
The First Passenger Steam Locomotive
This appears to be a photograph of a drawing of the first passenger steam locomotive designed and built by George Stephenson in 1825 in England. It was delivered into service in September of that year for the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company…
Fred Moffatt's Horses
It is highly likely that one of the gentlemen in this photograph was Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Company at 212 W. State Street and also owner of the two horses; on the left, Mack F., a trotter, and on the right, D. Fay, a pacer. Horse…
Victorian Sitting Room
This photograph features a sitting room with artwork, plants, and a patterned rug. The location of the house and the homeowner's name are unknown.
Baseball Fun
Fifteen men pose in front of a hanging tarp for this baseball team photograph, which may have been taken at the same time as photos 88.122.682, 88.122.684, and 88.122.723.
Baseball Fun
Over twenty-five men sit in a grassy open area, some with baseball gloves, bats, and balls, ready to play. Baseball was a popular recreational and competitive sport in Rockford and Northern Illinois starting in the 1860s. It is unclear where this…
African-American Laborers
A large group of African-American laborers pose as a group, the back row standing while the front row is on their knees. A wooden building or wall is in the background. The location and the individuals' names are unknown. A similar depiction can be…
Baseball Fun
Over twenty-five men sit in a grassy open area, some with baseball gloves, bats, and balls, ready to play. Baseball was a popular recreational and competitive sport in Rockford and Northern Illinois starting in the 1860s. It is unclear where this…
Church/Revival Outing
A large gathering of well-dressed men, women, and children stand outside a large tent with tables set up inside. Several of the individuals hold instruments. A man's hat sits on the ground in the foreground of the photo.
Outing on the River
The "captain" sits at the bow as this canopied wooden boat travels on the river. Houses dot the far shore in the background. The power source for the boat is not clearly apparent, but it is large enough to carry a dozen or more passengers.
Landscape Close-Up
This photograph appears to show a slender tree near the front of a cave-like opening in the rock. The location of this outdoor scene is unknown.
Fishing from a Footbridge
Several people with only their feet and legs visible are fishing from a footbridge. It appears that a fish has been caught and is being pulled from the water.
Rockford Factory Interior
This photograph of a factory/workshop interior shows numerous heavy, belt-driven machines and their operators in a production environment. Hanging chains and metal parts and scraps can be seen strewn about. The name and location of the factory and…
1895 Rockford High School Graduation Photograph
The 1895 graduates of Rockford High School pose outside of the main school entrance.
Grazing Animals
Animals graze in a wooded area. The location of this scene is unknown.
Train Wreck
A number of people are walking amidst the damage created by a major train accident beside a fence line. It is unclear where the photograph was taken.