Picture by Janine Crandell
ROCKFORD
The history of this city and the County of Winnebago are so closely interwoven that it is somewhat difficult to draw a line of distinction between them. It was here the first settlement was made, in 1834, the first stores and trading places opened, here the first Post-office was established, and, in fact, it was here the county commenced. From here the settlements extended outward to the different sections of what is now Winnebago County . To attempt a separate arid distinct history of Rockford would be to recapitulate or repeat in a great measure what has already been written; hence, with a few references to some minor subjects, we will pass to a review of the manufacturing enterprises and industries that have been built up, and that are in successful operation at Rockford.
In the fall of 1834, Germanicus Kent extended an invitation to a number of his Southern friends to join his colony at Midway, a name he seems to have given to the settlement commenced by himself and Mr. Blake. This name, it is to be supposed, was suggested by the fact that it just about half way between Chicago and Galena.
By the Indians the place was known as Rockford—a name suggested to them by nature. At or near the site of the present dam, there was a solid rock bottom, where the water was generally shallow enough in ordinary seasons to,afford easy crossing with their ponies, and was therefore known to them as the Rock ford. And just here it will not be out of place to remark that Indians, of whatever tribe, always name an object—no matter what it may be—after that of which it most reminds them on first sight. Several of the states of the American Union bear Indian names, as, for instance, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Massachusetts, etc.
Among other old neighbors and acquaintances in Alabama to whom Mr. Kent wrote was Mr. James B. Martyn. In that letter, in directing Mr. Martvn how to reach Midway, Mr. Kent said:
"At Galena, call on my brother. From Galena go directly east until you come to and cross Apple River, thence turn in a south-easterly course to Plumb River, and from there to Cherry Grove. There leave some tim ber on your left, and a small grove on your right (afterwards known as Twelve Mile Grove), and then keep on until you strike Rock River, from which a blind path will guide you to Midway."
This was all the guide Mr. Martyn had, but it conducted him to Midway, which name, late in 1835, was abandoned for Rockford.
Postoffice Past Mayors Businesses Citizens 1842-50 Citizens 1855-59
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History of Winnebago County-1877
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