Images of America

Title: Indy launches historical series Author: Jeannie Gregory Publisher: Rockford Independent Date: 9/1/09 Rockford's history is steeped in so many wonderful stories. It is tantalizing to take a step back in time and see how a little village grew into the wonderful city it is today. Sure, Rockford has grown through the years, but it has maintained its charm through hundreds of years of change. It is one of the reasons people select this fair city to take up permanent residence. The Rockford Area Historical Society has worked hard to save and preserve that history for generations to come. The staff of the historical museum has a wealth of information in a building that was once the power station for Rockford. They have been a huge help in our research and deserve a huge thank you. I have lived here almost my entire life and have my own memories of the city in those almost 50 years. I remember going over the hump-back bridge on Childsdale, the one lane only allowing a lone vehicle to traverse its span. One would have to stop and honk before proceeding over the bridge - making sure that you wouldn't meet another car in the middle. I can also recall walking along the railroad tracks between Belmont and the city to get to town. I often wonder how many who traverse the gorgeous Frederik Meijer White Pine Trail know that it was the Grand Rapids Indiana railway they are exercising on. I remember when The Corner Bar hotdogs were called Hydes hotdogs and when I went to school the sixth grade was housed in what is now the RPS Administration Building. It is funny those who have been around a while (and I don't even begin to compete with our historians in memories) call things by their old names and we know what people are talking about. I could say Jorgenson's Standard and I know that people of my generation and earlier will know exactly what current business I am talking about. When the staff at the Indy started talking about producing a historical series we became excited. I must admit it is a labor of love for all of us. Four of us have been working diligently to try to capture Rockford's past in a series of articles meant to help our readers know our fair city's storied past. What we have learned so far has been astounding. So many interesting stories have grown out of a sole assignment, and our series continues to grow. We have read, researched, interviewed and researched more to bring you these stories. We want to make sure that our readers know about the people, industries, and disasters that fashioned Rockford into the city it is today. It was a wonderful coincidence when "Rockford" Arcadia Publishing's latest Images of America release was delivered to the Indy office the last week of July. It was wonderful to kick off the series talking to the author, Roberta Schirado, and using her tribute to Rockford to start the Indy's journey into the past. You are part of that history. We would love to hear your feedback to these articles. Perhaps you have something to add to a particular article in the Indy. Perhaps you have a cherished memory that adds to the series. Please, feel free to write us at jgregory@staffordgroup.com and express your thoughts. Enjoy.