Source: Corina Curry, Rockford Register Star, July 19, 2020.
Nature preserve
Dan Huntley, Severson board president
Source: Rockford Register Star, June 30, 2019
Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
Source: Rockford Register Star, April 5, 2019
Rockford Park District – Gold Medal Finalist
Source: Rock River Times Vol. 18 No. 50 May 18 – 24, 2011
Park District
Source: Rockford Morning Star 10/5/1930
Rockford Park District – Atwood Center
Source: Rock River Times Jan 26-Feb 1, 1011
Camp Rotary
1921 is when the Rotarians bought Bunker Hill Camp, south of the city, Rotarians owned Camp Rotary, Rockford Boys Club operated Camp Rotary. Donated to Winnebago County Forest Preserve Dist. In 1980 by Rotary
Source: Rockfordiana: Camp Rotary
“Camp Rotary Given Flag by Auxiliary” The Women’s Auxiliary of the Sons of Veterans will present a flag to Camp Rotary at Bunker Hill, appropriate exercises to be held at the camp Sunday, June 24. The flag is eight by ten feet in dimension and will be flown from a 100 foot flagpole dedicated last July 4. The auxiliary will give three other flags to the camp. One is 3 by 5 feet and will be used as a banner for the tent passing the best inspection each day. The second one, 4 by 7 feet, will go on top of the Boys club building at the camp. The presentation program will be held at 3 p.m. and the public is invited to attend the exercises. The Sons of Veterans and the members of G.A.R. will be taken to the camp in autos. There will be a special speaker and music.
Source: Rockford Republic 6/4/1923
“Y.M.C.A. Camp For Girls Will Open August 3” for four full weeks of fun.
Source: Rockford Morning Star 6/21/1923
Best Camper Florabel Smith (photo)
Source: Rockford Morning Star 8/26/1923
Source: Rockford Morning Star 6/5/1929
1974 Park District took over operation
Source: Rockfordiana: Camp Rotary
Jeanie Gibbs, who passed away 2/3/2009 was Director of Camp Rotary many years
Source: RHS newsletter Aug 2009
stone gates, former entrance to camp, are all that remains at site I New Milford currently Rockford Rotary County Forest Preserve, goes into Kishwaukee County Forest Preserve 5390 Rotary Rd., Cherry Valley, IL, 61063
Source: 2010
Severson Dells Nature Center
named after engineer Harry Severson, former owner of property. Deer Lodge was built in 1952. Severson became President of Barber-Colman in 1952. Severson died in 1957, his widow donated lodge and 369 acres to Winnebago County Forest Preserve
Source: Northwest Quarterly Magazine Summer 2008 Vol. 5 No. 2