Source: The Observer, September 1, 2023
People
Historical or Notable People
“The Way We Were,” Oregon, 1910-11; Lorado Taft named it the “Eternal Indian,” most of us call it “Black Hawk Statue”
Source: Rockford Register Star, May 14, 1990
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Christopher Newman’s “High Flight” Sculpture
Artist: Christopher Newman
Title: High Flight
Date Created: 2016
Material: Welded Aluminum, Fiberglass
Dimensions: 13’ H x 2.5’ W x 3’ D
Location: High Flight is located in the College Ave roundabout. Parking is at 360 College Ave.
Sources:
- Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 8/3/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/
- Artist’s website accessed 8/22/2023: https://www.chrisnewmansculpture.com/high-flight
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Ben Pierce’s “Here Comes the Sun” Sculpture
Artist: Ben Pierce
Title: Here Comes the Sun
Location: 124 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101
This sculpture was inspired my life and the beauty of the natural world. Specifically, a young seedling beginning to sprout and uncurl towards the sky, seeking out the warm energy of the sun. Seeds are such positive symbols. Containing all the potential to grow from something that can fit in the palm of your hand to a giant 300 ft tall redwood! Like the potential in each of us- it is endless.
Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 8/3/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/
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Paul Bobrowitz’s “Heels Over Head” Sculpture
Artist: Paul Bobrowitz (See artist’s website here: https://www.bobrowitzsculpture.com/about )
Title: Heels Over Head
Location: 333 E. State Street
Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 8/3/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/
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Sock Star, Rockford Life, Holiday, November-December 2006
Source: Rockford Life magazine, Holiday, November-December 2006, written by John Girone, photography by Scott Painter
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Rockford Seminary Syncopators 1928
Seminary Syncopators: Ellen Baker (Drums), Mabel Jones (Violin), Helen Lalasnsky (Piano), Agnes O’Dell (Saxophone), and Roberta Meese (Banjo)
The Seminary Syncopators, bubbling over with melody, harmony, and rhythm, have played their way into the hearts of all lovers of jazz and syncopation. This group of musicians, organized only this fall, have proved extremely popular as entertainers. They sponsored an “Oriental Tea Dance” on the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day, which was their first real public appearance, and since then have played at a number of college functions, including Washington Party, Dramatic Club plays, and short informal dances in the gymnasium.
Source: Cupola 1928 R378.7 R58 1928
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Isaac Wilson, a.k.a. “Black Ike,” Early African-American Pioneer of Rockford (Entry 4 of 4)
Collected burial information about Isaac Wilson, also known as “Black Ike.”
The sources in this post are available in print at the Rockford Public Library’s Local History Room. They are also included in Isaac Wilson’s biographical packet in the archival box titled, “Winnebago County & Rockford Region First Families/Early Settlers.”
Sources are noted below each source/article when it’s not included in the image itself.
Please visit Isaac’s Find A Grave entry here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113535536/isaac-wilson
At the time of Isaac Wilson’s burial, he didn’t have a gravestone. Finally, after 163 years, 11 months and 5 days he has a gravestone! It was set in Cedar Bluff Cemetery on July 5, 2023.
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Isaac Wilson, a.k.a. “Black Ike,” Early African-American Pioneer of Rockford (Entry 1 of 4)
Collected information from local history books about Isaac Wilson, also known as “Black Ike.”
All of these sources are available in print at the Rockford Public Library’s Local History Room. They are also included in Isaac Wilson’s biographical folder within the archival box titled, “Winnebago County & Rockford Region First Families/Early Settlers.”
Sources are noted below each source/article when it’s not included in the image itself.
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Isaac Wilson, a.k.a. “Black Ike,” Early African-American Pioneer of Rockford (Entry 3 of 4)
Collected information from local newspapers about Isaac Wilson, also known as “Black Ike.”
All of these sources are available in print at the Rockford Public Library’s Local History Room. They are also included in Isaac Wilson’s biographical packet in the archival box titled, “Winnebago County & Rockford Region First Families/Early Settlers.”
Sources are noted below each source/article when it’s not included in the image itself.
Rockford Republican published on August 4, 1859. Accessed on Newsbank on May 23, 2023.
Register Gazette published on September 11, 1909. Accessed on Newsbank on May 23, 2023.
