A Digital Collection of Rockford, Illinois History
Bronze Dedication for WREX-TV Call Letters to commemorate the loss of Rex Caster, the son of WREX-TV President, Lou (L.E.) Caster.
These images were attained by donation at RPL’s Community Scan Day event on December 17, 2022.
The following article provides more historical information:
Source: Rockford Register-Republic August 27, 1968
Sunday:
Land of Giants – WREX; Gentle Ben – WCEE; Walt Disney – WTVO; The FBI – WREX; The Ed Sullivan Show – WCEE; Mothers-In-Law - WTVO; Sunday Night Movie - WREX; Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour – WCEE; Bonanza – WTVO; Mission Impossible – WCEE; Phyllis Diller Variety Hour – WTVO;
Monday:
The Avengers – WREX; Gunsmoke – WCEE; I Dream of Jeannie – WTVO; Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In – WTVO; Peyton Place – WREX; WCEE; Outcasts – WREX; Mayberry R.F.D. – WCEE; Monday Night at the Movies – WTVO; Family Affair – WCEE; Big Valley – WREX; The Carol Burnett Show – WCEE
Tuesday
The Mod Squad – WREX; Lancer – WCEE; Jerry Lewis – WTVO; It Takes a Thief – WREX; The Red Skelton Hour – WCEE; Julia – WTVO; Tuesday Night at the Movies – WTVO; N.Y.P.D. – WREX; Doris Day Show – WCEE; That’s Life – WREX; CBS News Hours – WCEE
Wednesday
Here Come the Brides – WREX; Movie – WCEE; The Virginian – WTVO; Peyton Place II – WREX; Wednesday Night Movie – WREX; Kraft Music Hall – WTVO; Green Acres – WCEE; Jonathan Winters Show – WCEE; Outsider – WTVO
Thursday
Ugliest Girl in Town – WREX; Blondie – WCEE; Daniel Boone – WTVO; The Flying Nun – WREX; Hawaii 5-0 – WCEE; Bewitched – WREX; Ironside – WTVO; That Girl – WREX; Thursday Night Movie – WCEE; Journey to the Unknown – WREX; Dragnet – WTVO; Dean Martin – WTVO; Felony Squad – WREX.
Friday
Operation Entertainment – WREX; The Wild, Wild West – WCEE; High Chaparral – WTVO; Gilligan’s Island – WREX; Gomer Pyle – WCEE; Name of the Game – WTVO; Don Rickles Show – WREX; Friday Night Movie – WCEE; Guns of Will Sonnett – WREX; Judd for the Defense – WREX
Saturday
Dating Game – WREX; Jackie Gleason Show – WCEE; Adam 12 – WTVO; Newlywed Game – WREX; Get Smart – WTVO; Lawrence Welk – WREX; My Three Sons – WCEE; Ghost and Mrs. Muir – WTVO; Hogan’s Heroes – WTVO; Saturday Night at the Movies – WTVO; Hollywood Palace – WREX; Petticoat Junction – WCEE; Mannix – WCEE.
Source: The Rock River Times, January 3, 2018, p. 4
Source: The Rock River Times August 16, 2017
Source: loaned by Valeri DeCastris
The lady sitting at photo right was Valeri’s mother, Beatrice “Pat” Macaluso. Pat married musician Valentino E DeCastris “VAL EDDY”, who performed in the Val Eddy Trio and later Val Eddy Duo. Her twin sister, Congetta (Connie) Macaluso seated left in photo became Connie Capicotte after marriage. Our first mystery is the woman sitting in the center who turned out to be Raytheon Amana spokesperson Barbara Hale (confirmed).
We think the photo was taken on 2nd St., near E. State St. probably in 1952, based on the Illinois 51 sign on the street light post. The exact location is the 2nd mystery. ****No longer a mystery: Jeff Aulik found the location, which was on or about 209 Seventh St., looking south. They were about 1/2 a block away from Hedrick Electric, licensed to sell Raytheon TVs. In 2017, the block looks like this: 
The U.S. 51 sign is still there!
Raytheon was promoting their television’s capability to get both UHF and VHF. Rockford had 2 television stations. WREX-13 was the first television station to apply. (WZOK radio applied for a UHL permit in 1948.) The used one allotted UHF licenses in Rockford. The second allotted channel was reserved by the FCC for educational programs. A third application was filed by H. B. Dubinsky to get a UHF license in Rockford who had not broadcast at all, in June 1952, for Channel 39, Raytheon televisions came with a dial that received both UHF and VHF which other televisions did not. Other TVs could be modified. We think the photo must be from between June 1952 and May 3, 1953 when Channel 39’s inaugural tv show on air took place. The cars suggest that the photo could have been from the 1940’s. Third mystery.
According to the Raytheon Corporation, it was Barbara Hale in the center of the three girls. Barbara Hales became the spokesperson of Raytheon Amana Radarrange and made appearances at promotions. Rockford newspapers do not have articles about her appearances at that time,
Source: Re-Dedication Ceremonies Program June 5, 2010
Published monthly by Clift and Co., editorial and advertising offices at 113 S. Court St., Rockford, IL
64 pages average per issue.
Source: The Rock River Times, Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, 2014
