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
Midway Village Museum
jpeg
Still Image
88.122.795
Steamboat "May Lee"
In 1896, "May Lee" was the second steamboat owned by Theodore C. Largent, who named it after his daughter May and son Lee. The steamboat was cut into two pieces when it proved to be too small to keep up with the demand for passenger travel. A middle section was added, allowing it to carry up to 400 passengers.
circa 1896
74.657.31c
Steamboat "Illinois"
The steamboat, "Illinois" with passengers at the rails. The "Illinois" was owned by John T. Buker and former Rockford Mayor Amasa Hutchins, built in 1900. The steamboat quickly became the most locally known and popular steamboat on the Rock River. Modeled after a Mississippi steamer, it was 125 feet long and 26 feet wide with a maximum speed of 10 mph. Its baritone whistle was a familiar sound as it travelled from Mulberry Street seven miles up the river. Able to carry 1,000 passengers at once, it carried a record number of 50,000 passengers per year. Its top deck could hold an orchestra and was used for dancing.
circa 1908
76.179.4
Steamboat "Illinois" Sinking
The steamboat, "Illinois" starting to sink in the Rock River in front of the Rockford Public Library and Vaudeville Orpheum Tent Show
July 19, 1908
76.179.5
Steamboat "Illinois" Sinking
The steamboat, "Illinois" sinking in the Rock River in front of the Rockford Public Library. An accident that may have been caused by carrying too many passengers, caused the steamboat to partially sink.
July 19, 1908
76.179.7
"Arrow" Steamboat
The banks of the Rock River with the excursion steamboat "Arrow" and row boats. The "Arrow" was the first steamboat launched in Rockford in 1885. It sank in 1900. This picture may be of the "Arrow's" maiden voyage on the Rock River.
circa 1885
80.137.4
Excursion Steamboat on the Rock River
An excursion steamboat docked on the Rock River, looking north. The Rockford Waterworks is in the background at left. The Waterworks building was built in 1874 near the Rock River on the south side of Park Avenue. It was the headquarters and main pumping station for Rockford's water supply, becoming a secondary pumping station in the early 1920s. It was abandoned by the Water Department after a fire in 1953.
circa 1910s
83.45.76
"City of Rockford" Steamboat
"City of Rockford" excursion steamboat on the Rock River. In 1918 the steamer "Illinois" was purchased by the Excursion Amusement Co. and renamed the "City of Rockford". It was carrying 50,000 people annually until it was destroyed by fire on March 4, 1924 while in its winter berth.
1918 - 1924
85.109.955
Steamboat
An excursion steamboat traveling on the Rock River
circa early 1900s
85.109I.905.52
Steamboat
An excursion steamboat on a river.
circa 1920s
85.109I.905.65
Steamboat
An excursion steamboat on a river bend.
circa 1920s
85.109I.905.75
Rock River Scene
A Rock River scene, north of the State Street bridge looking east. Rockford Wholesale Grocery is on the east side and a steamboat is at each side of the river. The foreground is the riverfront side of the Rockford Public Library.
circa 1920s
85.109I.905.77
Steamboat
An excursion steamboat docked in front of the Rockford Public Library.
circa 1920s
85.109I.915a
Steamboat
An excursion steamboat docked at the Rockford Public Library.
circa 1920s
85.109I.915b
Steamboat "Illinois"
Steamboat "Illinois" being boarded.
circa 1905
86.177.11
Steamboat
Excursion boat docked at the Rockford Public Library.
circa 1920
88.1.130