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- Tags: Rockford Illinois - History
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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…
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.
Cobblestone House
Although this cobblestone house looks very similar to the Herrick home at 2127 Broadway, its general facade in the front and profile from the side is different. If it is the Herrick home, it was significantly modified since photographs were taken…
Coed Baseball Fun
Over forty men and women 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…
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…
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…
Densely Wooded Scene
A densely wooded scene dominates this photograph taken when the evergreen trees appear perhaps laden with snow. The location of this scene is unknown.
Doubles Lawn Tennis
Four men play doubles lawn tennis on a court that appears to be in a residential area. Another man stands observing from an official's space courtside.
Dry Goods Store Interior
This photograph features a very busy and well-stocked interior of a typical dry goods store. It is unclear where this store is located and the proprietors' names.
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.
East State Street Scene Looking East
View of the East State Street Interurban/Rockford Street Railway Company line looking east possibly from the current 9th Street, East State Street intersection.
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…
Elegant Rockford Home
This unidentified home makes a significant impression for its unique architecture and style. The address, owner, and architect are unknown.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Fairfield Memorial Parish House
This photograph shows the Emmanuel Episcopal Church on the right and Fairfield Memorial Parish House on the left. The church was orgainized on May 1, 1849, and the church building at 412 N. Church Street opened in 1857. The Fairfield Memorial Parish…
Fairgrounds Event
This photograph features several tents, horse-drawn buggies, and people strolling. This may be the County Fairgrounds on the west side of Rockford. The event as well as the names of individuals and organizations are unknown.
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…
Fairgrounds Horse Show Event
A large crowd has gathered at the Fairgrounds (aka Agricultural Society) for a horse show. The track is visible in the foreground and numerous buildings partially screened by the crowd and trees are visible in the background. The Fairgrounds were…
Fairgrounds Horse Show Event
A large crowd has gathered at the Fairgrounds (aka Agricultural Society) for a horse show. The track is visible in the foreground with the grandstand and concession areas visible in the background. The Fairgrounds were bordered by Avon Street on the…
Family of Adults and Children
A family of seven adults and two children pose in what may be their front yard. This appears to be the same family as in photo 88.122.578b.
Family of Adults and Children
A family of seven adults and two children pose in what may be their front yard. This appears to be the same family as in photo 88.122.578a.
Family Photo
Six men and a woman pose for this outdoor photograph. The location and the individuals' names are unknown.
Family Photo on the Porch
A family poses on their porch for this photograph. The individuals' names and their location are unknown.
Family Photograph
A family - father, mother, and two daughters - poses under a pergola (an archway framework covered with trained climbing plants). The location and family are unknown.
Family Photograph of Young Ladies and a Young Man
A family photograph of three young ladies and one young man seen standing in front of a large brick building. A swing and a pergola, a garden archway for trained climbing plants, appear to the left.
Family Winter Scene in the Front Yard
A woman and three children are in the front yard of a home in a wooded neighborhood near the front porch. A sidewalk is visible at the far left. The homes in the background look large and stately.
Female Equestrians
Five women are on horseback ready for a day of casual riding. This photograph is from the H. W. Williams Collection. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 193.)
Female Equestrians
Five women are on horseback ready for a day of casual riding. A similar view can be seen in photo 88.122.716. This photograph is from the H. W. Williams Collection. (Reference - Sinnissippi Saga, page 193.)
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.
First Congregational Church
The First Congregational Church building is at the corner of S. 3rd and Kishwaukee Streets. It was one of the first churches founded in Rockford.
First Lutheran Church
First Lutheran Church was the first Swedish and the first Lutheran Church founded in Rockford in 1854. This photograph shows the third church building constructed by the congregation, built in 1884 and dedicated on December 7, 1884. The church still…
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.
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.
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…
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.
Foundation/Cornerstone Ceremony
A large crowd gathers in horse-drawn buggies for a foundation/cornerstone laying ceremony and dedication. The crowd on the dais is arrayed in vestments denoting a choir and church officials. It is unclear which church cornerstone this group is…
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,…
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…
Fred Moffatt's Horses
It is likely that the gentleman in the doorway in this photograph is Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Company, 212 W. State Street, and also owner of Mack F., the trotter with the sulky (two-wheeled harness racing vehicle) and driver. Horse…
Fred Moffatt's Horses
Mack F., a trotter horse, and D. Fay, a pacer horse, pose by their sulkies (lightweight, two-wheeled vehicles used by jockeys for harness racing) in front of a stable. The owner, Fred Moffatt, may be standing in the background. Fred Moffatt, owner of…
Fred Moffatt's Horses
Mack F., a trotter horse owned by Fred Moffatt, poses with its sulky (a lightweight, two-wheeled vehicle for harness racing) and driver in front of a stable. Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Company, 212 W. State Street, was very active in horse…
Fred Moffatt's Horses
D. Fay, a pacer horse owned by Fred Moffatt, poses with its sulky (a lightweight, two-wheeled vehicle for harness racing) and driver in front of a stable. Fred Moffatt, owner of Moffatt Cigar Company, 212 W. State Street, was very active in horse…
Freight Engine 491 Collision
A large crowd has gathered along the Illinois Central track where a head-on collision has occurred. This may have been the collision of Freight engine 491 and Switch engine 116 just west of 7th Street. Similar depictions can be seen in photos…
Freight Engine 491 Collision
Freight Engine 491 had a head-on collision with much smaller Switch Engine 116 just west of the 7th Street crossing of the Illinois Central Railroad. The freight train was running about 30 minutes ahead of schedule at the time and was not expected.…
Freight Engine 491 Collision
Freight Engine 491 had a head-on collision with much smaller Switch Engine 116 just west of the 7th Street crossing of the Illinois Central Railroad. The freight train was running about 30 minutes ahead of schedule at the time and was not expected.…
Freight Engine 491 Collision
Freight Engine 491 was involved in a head-on collision with a much smaller engine, Switch Engine 116, just west of the 7th Street crossing of the Illinois Central Railroad. The freight train was running about 30 minutes ahead of schedule at the time…
Gaggle of Geese
A gaggle of geese gather in a fenced-in area in a rural setting. It is unclear where this photograph was taken.
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.
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Banner at South Main and West State Streets
The GAR (Grand Army of the Republic, the Union in the Civil War) Banner hangs at the corner of South Main and West State Streets looking south. GAR was founded on April 6, 1866, on the principles of Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. (Reference -…
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Banner at South Main and West State Streets
The GAR (Grand Army of the Republic, the Union in the Civil War) Banner hangs at the corner of South Main and West State Streets looking northeast. GAR was founded on April 6, 1866, on the principles of Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. (Reference -…