Source: Rockford Register-Republic Oct. 3 1960 columns 1 -4 of 9
Source: Columns 5 – 7 of 9, Rockford Register-Republic 10/3/1960
National Guard Armory
Illinois National Guard Armory
Illinois National Guard Armory
605 – 615 North Main Street
Source: 1948 Rockford City Directory
Shrine Circus – 1938
Shrine Circus, at the Armory, 1938.
“Merle Evans, for more than 20 years conductor of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, is providing real ‘big top” music at the armory with a combination of circus and local musicians…..”
“Evans, who is in charge of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus band and the Tim McCoy wild west show band as well as serving as conductor of as conductor of the Ringling band…”
Source: Rockford Morning Star March 19, 1938
Kiwanis Pancake Day – David Rank – 1971
“For almost 17,000 others the order of business was stuffing down.”
“What they stuffed down was about 60,000 buttermilk pancakes and 17,000 pounds of sausage plus the milk and coffee to wash it all down at the 18th annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Day at the National Guard Armory.”
“Kenneth R. Klotz, chairman for the event, said profits from the ticket sales will be used to help underpriviledged youth in the Rockford vicinity.”
Photo: David Rank, 11, dishes up seconds Saturday at the Rockford Kiwanis Club’s 18th annual Pancake Day
Source: Sunday Rockford Register-Star Apr. 25, 1971
Girl Scout Show
” Mary’s Little Lamb – Brownies get acquainted with lamb during Girl Scout exhibition in natural guard armory Saturday. Mrs. Elmer Olson, Lincoln Park, holds lamb for Peggy Oberg, Rockford, left foreground, and Sandy Nelson, right foreground.”
“Wildlife, handicraft, nature exhibits, outdoor ideas, and practical first aid hints highlighted Saturday’s exhibit program of the Rock River Valley council of Girl Scouts in the national guard armory,”
Much more in full article; see microfilm.
Source: Rockford Morning Star April 15, 1956
Rockford Home Show – 1956, at Armory
“Rockford 28th Annual Home Show Opens in Armory”
“Rockford Real Estate board, sponsor of the show’s exhibition booths set up early so that the Girl scouts could use them for their scout-craft displays Entertainment will be provided by Ted Weem’s band and a variety review featuring vocalist Bonnie Ann Shaw and Comedian Dave Bedel. As a special bonus attraction, the real estate board has signed popular Rockford Organist Nathan Bast…..”
Photo: Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Little, who live on Mulford rd., preparing their grounds for Spring planting.
Source: Rockford Morning Star April 15,1956
Home Show Queen
“Nineteen-year-old Joanne Ditto, a model and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Ditto, 1603 Greenmount st., Friday night was crowned The Morning Star queen of business and industry and queen of the 1955 home show in the national guard armory.”
Source: Rockford Morning Star April 2, 1955
Greater Rockford Open Invitational Basketball Tournament
“Action was fast and furious in the Greater Rockford Open Invitational Basketball Tournament Sundday at the National Guard Armory. In the photo at left, Tom Lewis (31) of the Rockford Majors grabs a rebound despite the efforts the Al Modloff (22) and another DeKalb University Shop player. Lee Frandsen (11) and Harmon Mitchell (33) are the other Majors’ players. In the photo at right, Mel Geyer (9) of Rochelle E & H goes after loose ball while three members of the Genoa Merchants team = Bob Buzzell (4) , Joe Pinne (8) and Jim Ousler (10) – take part in the action.
Source: Rockford Morning Star March 3, 1964