Founded in 1854 as Duncan Forbes and Son; in 1890, the name was changed to Rockford Malleable Iron Works; in 1932, the name became Gunite Foundries Corp. The company is still in business at 302 Peoples Ave.
Rockford Malleable Iron Works
948 North Court Street
Walter S. Belford – bookkeeper R Mal Iron Works (Lillian D.)
Rockford Malleable Iron Works
Source: 1907 Rockford City Directory
Atlas of the City of Rockford and Vicinity – 1917, Th. L. Leon de Tissandier
Rural St. and Chicago Ave. are shown. This atlas is more colorful that most atlases: the colors show the separation between subdivisions. In this case Lett’s and Bennett’s Subdivision is shown in coral, and Highland park Subdivision is shown in blue. Individual plots are indicated by lines and number of the plot, and they do not indicated who owns the plot, as some other atlases do.
Guilford Rd. is at the lower edge of the green area. Scandinavian Cemetery is shown, individual plots are not shown, or an area of plots not indicted on this map. The roads through the cemetery are indicated and also a block of undeveloped cemetery property, Sinnissippi Park and part of Sinnissippi Golf Course.
Some manufacturer’s properties are indicated. In the atlas section above, the green are is Black Hawk Park, The white areas are property owned by Lathrop and undeveloped property owned by Rockford Malleable Iron Works. The blue area is Rockford Sand and Gravel Subdivision. The brown are is Schmauss [Meat] Packing Plant. Occasionally “surprises” show up. An example is the original stadium for Rockford High School, a.k.a. “Central.”
Baseball, Local – 1913
Source: Rockford Republic May 15, 1913
“Local Factories to Make Shells” – 1918
Source: Rockford Morning Star Oct. 27, 1918
Zitzke, August G.A.
moulder Rockford Malleable Iron Works, res 523 Wall
Source: 1899 Rockford City Directory
Zitske, Albert
moulder Rockford Malleable Iron Works, res. 836 Cunningham
Source: 1899 Rockford City Directory
Rockford Industrial Athletic Association – R. I. A. A.
Rockford Industrial Athletic Association – R. I. A. A.
In the 1913 Factory League: Andrews Wire, Kurtz Action, Free Sewing Machine Company, Hess and Hopkins, Barber-Colman, and Trahern Pump Company
In the 1913 Commercial League: Rockford Malleable, Clark Manufacturing Company, Rockford Watch Company, Central Union Telephone, Printers, and Burson Knitting Company
Source: Rockford Morning Star, 08/13/1913, also in Rockford Public Library’s “Rockfordiana” files, “R. I. A. A.”
Harlem Blvd., 1711
1711 Harlem Blvd. Photo source: Jan Carter, 3/4/2015
For sale January 2010: “Rockford charm and gleaming hardwoods, arched door-ways, built-ins. 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large living room, dining room with French doors, kitchen with desk, large deck, fenced yard, master suite with full bath, sitting are and elevator.” $209,500.
Source: www.realtor.com, 2010
Source: www.realtor.com, 2011
House built ca 1925 www.rockfordtownshipassessor.net
Benjamin E. Sivyer (wife, Marguerite) product manager, Rockford Malleable Iron Works, res 1711 Harlem Blvd. Source: 1928 Rockford City Directory
James E. Murray, (wife Corrine) treasurer Central Illinois Electric and Gas, res 1711 Harlem Blvd. Source: 1933 – 1940 Rockford City Directory
Louis A Schultz, Jr. (wife Carolyn H., co-owner Smith Schultz and Smith lawyers) 1001 Talcott Bldg. homeowner 1711 Harlem Blvd.
Robert T. Scott, wife Marian, salesman Ralph D Scott Agency real estate and insurance, h 1711 Harlem Blvd., 1950 – (1957; didn’t look in additional years)
1970 – Detached garage, built 1970
1975- Detached porch added 1975
(1975, and earlier?) – 1987 John P. Smith and wife Ginger K, in 1975 salesman for KC Glader, in 1980 salesman for Welden Electric, in 1987, sales mngr for Ingersoll Milling Machine, res 177 Harlem Blvd. *1986 Building Permit $14,400 for bath, dormer
1988 – 1993 – Gregg A. and Dawn M Koegge. v-pres First State Bank and Trust, res 1711 Harlem Blvd.
1993 – 2000 – Nancy G and John R. Sommer Jr. house sale to Lambrecht 10/16/2000 RRStar.com
John Sommer Sr was president of National Lock, Midstate Steel and Wire Co. and Keystone Consolidate Industries.
Bryce and Stacy Lambrecht, source: 2000 – 2010, www.rockfordtownshipassessor.net
2010 – building permit to add Deck and Re-Roof
Aaron J Hotlen Jr and Elizabeth R Hotlen, 2011 – (2015) www.rockfordtownshipassessor.net
2013 – Building permit $10,000 Roof
Main St., No., 945 – Forbes/University Club
945 No. Main St., Duncan Forbes residence, leased yesterday by Rockford University Club
Source: Rockford Morning Star 11/30/1939
Harry F. Forbes, wife Hannah W., secretary Rockford Malleable Iron Works, res 945 N Main 1902 Rockford City Directory
Miss Emma Hogan, domestic servant, res 945 N Main – 1899 Rockford City Directory
Duncan P Forbes – 1933 Rockford City Directory
Rockford University Club, owners, 1950 – 2015 (ongoing) Rockford City Directories
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