Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, IL.

Rockford is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, after Chicago and Joliet. Rockford is bigger than Peoria or Springfield.

In 1834, New Englanders settled on both banks of a shallow, rocky stretch of the Rock River, where there was a natural ford. They named their settlement “Midway Village,” because it was halfway between Chicago and Galena (then a mining boomtown). By 1837, the settlement had grown and was re-named “Rockford.”

Early settlers called it “Forest City” because of the river valley’s verdant woods. Today, it’s being called the “City of Gardens.” It lives up to the name. There is the Anderson Japanese Gardens is considered one of the top two Japanese gardens in the Western World; the other one’s in Portland, Oregon. Then there is Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens at Sinnissippi Gardens, along the Rock River. Also Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden has so many rare and unusual trees and shrubs, botanists say there’s only one comparable site…and it’s in France.

Rockford was once known as the “Screw Capital of the World” because of the billions of screws, bolts and fasteners its factories produced for the manufacturers of the world.

Off late Rockford has been undertaking of various tourism and downtown revitalization efforts. There is a Forest City Beautiful initiative.

ROCKFORD ATTRACTION

I love the charming town of Rockford!
I document only what I have seen, and use images I have taken.
In all this, Public Art is the main focus.