Welcome to RPL’s Local History Online Database!
A digital collection of Rockford, Illinois history.
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 records date from the 1840s to present day and the collection is growing every day. This local history collection is currently being entered into this new online database. The database is searchable and is indexed based on category and searchable tags.
To begin, select a category to browse or use the search box to find articles and pictures.
Didn’t find what you are looking for? Call us at 815-965-7606, stop in, or check back again and search the database. We’re adding more every day! For more information please, visit the Local History room at the Main Library on 214 North Church Street in Rockford, IL.
Also be sure to like the Library’s Facebook page to learn more about library events and services.
If you enjoy this website or find it useful, please consider making a donation to Rockford Public Library. We are committed to digitizing and preserving Rockford Illinois history.
Local History Room Hours & Info
214 North Church Street,
Rockford, IL 61101
1-815-965-7606 Ext 618
M-Th: 9am – 8pm
Fri-Sat: 10am – 5pm
The digital reproductions on this site, from materials held by the Rockford Public Library, are provided to researchers who visit this site, for research consultation and scholarly purposes only. Further distribution and/or any commercial use of the works from this site are strictly forbidden.
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Featured Article:
Historic City of Rockford 10-minute promotional video from 1949
Source: www.youtube.com – Public Domain
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(815)965-7606
The mission of the Rockford Public Library is to educate, inform, entertain, and culturally enrich the people of our community.
© Rockford Public Library 2023