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St. Mary's Oratory Church
This photograph looking northwest shows the St. Mary's Oratory Church at the corner of Winnebago and Elm Streets to the far right. The large building in the center foreground may be the African Methodist Episcopal Church founded in 1891.
"Huntress" with Dog
A woman stands in a wooded clearing with a dog. She is holding what appears to be a 12-gauge shotgun and wearing a full-length dress, which wouldn't be typical for hunting.
1894 Rockford High School Graduation Photograph
The 1894 graduates of Rockford High School pose outside the main school entrance, some with diplomas in hand.
1895 Rockford High School Graduation Photograph
The 1895 graduates of Rockford High School pose outside of the main school entrance.
A Bicycle Built for Three
This photograph, taken in front of the South Main Street entrance to the Nelson Hotel, features a very unique three-person bicycle. The hotel, at 306 S. Main Street, was opened in 1893 at the corner of S. Main and Chestnut Streets. William Nelson…
A Good Day's Catch
Numerous fish on stringers hang from a wooden structure. They appear to be primarily walleye and bass.
A Good Day's Catch
Numerous fish hang from stringers in this photograph. It is similar to photos 88.122.722 and 88.122.740.
Actors
A large group of actors in costumes and makeup pose for this photograph. It is unclear where the photo was taken or what performance they were preparing to rehearse.
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…
African-American Laborers
A large group of African-American laborers stand in the foreground of this photograph posing as a group with hats removed. A rough-looking wooden structure is in the background. The location is unknown.
African-American Work Crew
This photograph appears to show a large group of African-American men that may have been assembled as a work crew at an event. A long wooden structure appears in the background. The glass plate negative for this photo is broken into several pieces in…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Architectural Rendering of Emmanuel Church and Parish House, Rockford, Illinois
Architect Alfred Smith from Chicago produced this drawing to demonstrate how a new and larger sanctuary might be connected to the Fairfield Memorial Parish House. This particular concept was not used in the final approved project. The new church was…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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 beginning in the 1860s. It is unclear where this…
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…
Bicycle Racing
This closed-course race is about to start for nine cyclists at the Fairgrounds (aka Fairgrounds Park). This event may have taken place during the county fair typically held in September. Cycling competitions were quite common in Rockford and of…
Bicycle Racing
The closed-course race is about to start for these nine cyclists at the Fairgrounds (aka Fairgrounds Park). This event may have taken place during the county fair typically held in September. Cycling competitions were quite common in Rockford of…
Burial Tumulus Honoring Confederate Dead
This large tumulus (a burial mound) can be found in the Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. The large statue of horse and rider honors General Albert Sidney Johnston who was killed at the battle of Shiloh. The entrance to the tumulus is…
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…
Camels Standing in a Parade Staging Area
Multiple camels stand in what looks like a parade staging area in a Rockford business district. The camels appear to be Arabian or dromedary camels (one hump).
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.
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.
Carcaluly Camp
This well-dressed group of men and women sit under a "Carcaluly Camp" banner in an opening in a wooded area. Several individuals are holding musical instruments in the foreground in addition to a bicycle propped against a tree. A hammock or two…
Carcaluly Camp
This well-dressed group of men and women sit under a "Carcaluly Camp" banner in an opening within a wooded area. Several individuals are holding musical instruments in the foreground in addition to a bicycle laying on its side. A hammock or two are…
Catch of the Day
A large group of fish of various sizes hang from a single stringer under the roofline of an outdoor structure. There appears to be a mirror in the photograph that shows the stringer of fish from the opposite angle. A wood-shingled roof line appears…
Catfish Catch of the Day
Two large catfish are displayed and ready for cleaning.
Cattle Grazing
Several head of cattle are grazing in a wooded clearing in a rural area. It is unclear where the photograph was taken.
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…
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot, Shriner's Train Stop
A train engine and cars stop at the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot in Rockford at S. Main and Cedar Streets. The Shriner's symbol hangs at the front of the steam engine. It appears that dignitaries, soldiers, and police have gathered at this…
Chick House Hotel
Thomas Chick purchased the Griggs House Hotel and started the Chick House Hotel in 1888 at the corner of Main and Elm Streets. This photograph looks north up Main Street. Rockford Business College occupied the D. J. Stewart building right next door…
Child Actors
A large group of elementary school children pose in costume in front of some background staging. They appear to be in a large carpeted rehearsal room/classroom. A similar depiction can be found in photo 88.122.813.
Children at Recess
A large group of children, perhaps at recess, stand outside what appears to be a school. The children are warmly dressed. The location is unknown.
Children in Costume
A large group of children pose for this photograph in costume. The location and the event are unknown.
Children Performers
In this photograph, a large group of costumed boys and girls pose on a small "stage" area with a hanging wall prop in the background. It is unclear where this photograph was taken, but it is highly probable that it's in one of Rockford's elementary…
Children Posing Downtown
A group of children pose in a line with the Rockford Courthouse in the background. The courthouse in the photo was completed in 1878 after the dome collapsed during construction in 1877.
Children Sitting on a Porch Railing
Ten well-dressed children pose for this photograph while sitting on a front porch railing. The location and the names of the children are unknown. Also see photo 88.122.664.
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…