Rockford, Illinois, was first settled in 1834-1835 by Germanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake, and Lewis Lemon, who came from Galena and established themselves on the west bank of Rock River; …

Settled in the mid-1830s as Midway due to its location roughly equidistant between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, Rockford became strategic for industrial development. During the …

The Local History Collections and Archive is a part of the Adult Services Department, and exists to provide materials and support for those interested in doing research on the history of …

Starting in 2008, Jan Carter, who worked in the Rockford Public Library’s Local History department, started collecting historical information and pictures of the Rockford area. These …

Founded in 1834, Rockford, Illinois is known for its fascinating history, people, and places. The Rockford Historical Society Board of Trustees meet every third Monday of the month at …

Rockford surpasses Peoria to become the second largest city in Illinois. An unprecedented number of births are recorded in the city during the 1950s, and many new families move to the …

Feb 3, 2024 · Rockford, Illinois, was first settled in 1834 -1835 by Germanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake, and Lewis Lemon, who established themselves on the west bank of Rock River. From …

Jan 10, 2025 · Rockford was founded by New Englanders in 1834 as separate settlements (commonly known as Kentville and Haightville, for the founders of each) on each side of the …

History and stories of the past come to life at the award-winning Midway Village Museum in Rockford, Illinois. We invite you to visit and explore Midwestern life as it was during the early …

The first settlers in Rockford (at Rocky Ford) were Germanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake and Lewis Lemon. They built a cabin on the west side of the river on the banks of Kent Creek in 1834. …