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At the Battle of Missionary Ridge (1863), Thomas G. Lawler was credited with being the first man from the 19th Illinois Volunteers to break…

The son of Italian immigrants, Edolo J. “Zeke” Giorgi was known as the “Dean of the House” for being the longest-serving member of the…

During his career, Barloga designed more than 140 buildings in Rockford, some commercial buildings, like these at 107 and 109 North Main…

After her husband’s death in 1925, Ruth McCormick continued both in newspapers and politics. She purchased three Rockford newspapers,…

As Rockford’s former name Midway suggests, it is the midpoint between Galena and Chicago, making the hotel industry one of the most…

North Main Street, once the location of many stately homes, has now transitioned to commercial buildings and businesses. One of the few…

Metropolitan Hall was built in 1856, only four years after Rockford incorporated as a city. It soon became an active entertainment venue.…

A fire nearly destroyed the Brewhouse in 1894, but the business was rebuilt. Peacock died in 1895, but his sons, Edwin and Frank, continued…

In 1891, Peter and Hattie Blakely organized the Allen Chapel AME Church in the home of Hattie’s mother, Maria Donnelly. This was the first…