Rock Falls history

Rock Falls got its start in 1837, when Isaac Merrill settled along the southern bank of the Rock River in the northern section of Coloma Township.

He soon was joined by several other settlers and their families, including Edward Atkins, Daniel Brooks and Noah Merrill.

Isaac Merrill’s son, Nelson, is believed to be the first child born in the settlement, in November 1838.

Rock Falls originally was called Rapids City after A.B. Wheeler, Isaac Merrill, Atkins and Brooks laid out a mile-square area on the riverbank. Atkins must have had high hopes for growth and future residents – he built a large framed house for use as a hotel.

During that time, the state let out a contract to build a canal at Rapids City, but when the state encountered financial difficulties, the project was suspended.

Because of the financial hardship sweeping the United States, the future Rock Falls lay nearly dormant for 20 years. There were no shops or stores in operation in the township, and in 1857, the plat of Rapids City was vacated. A year later, the county map showed only 31 residents.

Schooling was not offered until 1845. The first teacher, Anastasia Sturtevant, held classes in an old store until a granary was bought and remodeled. A brick building later was built, followed by Merrill School in 1888.

Businessman and New York native Augustus P. Smith is credited with salvaging the community in 1867. Smith moved across the river from Sterling, bought 47 acres and opened a mitten factory. Then he laid out a town and called it Rock Falls.

Smith also bought the Sterling Hydraulic Co.’s water plant, which had built a dam in 1854. Smith used the dam’s water power to run his factory. He spent $12,000 to improve his water supply, which promoted the use of waterpower and motivated others to use the power, as well. The town sprang up around the factory, and Smith was able to hire about 100 workers.

Rock Falls was incorporated in January 1869, and a government was formed. The first ordinance was a temperance act forbidding the sale of malt liquors in less than 1-gallon quantities. At the same meeting, the town seal was ordered, with the motto, “Fundo in Tempero,” which means “I build in good time.”

Eventually, Rock Falls gained city status. At that time, campaigns were waged both for and against annexing with Sterling. In the end, the voters nixed the idea and Rock Falls became its own town.

A period of rapid growth followed the arrival of the railroad in Rock Falls. The new form of transportation boosted industry, and numerous factories were established and prospered.

George S. Tracy and Thomas A. Galt bought water rights and land in Rock Falls from Smith after their Sterling factory was destroyed in 1867. Keystone Manufacturing Co. was organized between 1870 and 1877, built 10 more buildings, and concentrated on making agricultural machinery.

ROCK FALLS cont’d on page 4 Second Street looking west in Rock Falls, during the early 1900s.

Others who played a role in the development of Rock Falls were brothers John H. and Edwin F. Lawrence, prosperous manufacturers who started with a patent for two barn-door hangers.

Eureka Manufacturing organized in 1871. Early products were school and office furniture.

Production later was changed to carriages and allied products and vehicles of all types including hearses and ambulances. During World War II, it switched to war production, buses, ambulances and turret baskets for tanks. It operated until 1965.

The Sterling Manufacturing Co. began making stair rails, newel posts, church seats and butter tubs, among other things, as early as 1855. By 1877, it was making 2,500 butter tubs a week.

Many other manufacturing companies have occupied the south shore of the Rock River over the years.

As early as 1877, Rock Falls had one hose company protecting the town. In 1908, the first fire wagon and team was bought, and the horses were named Thome and Grady, in honor of the mayor and alderman. The department became motorized in 1921.

Rock Falls had several newspapers in the late 1800s, many of which lasted only a couple of years. The earliest one was Rock Falls Progress, which ran its presses by water power. It was Republican in its beliefs and was published for about 7 years.

The Rock Falls Methodist Church is the oldest in the township. It was organized by the Rev. J.H. Alling in 1869.

Many service clubs and special interest groups also were organized more than 100 years ago.

The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society was chartered in 1959, and in 2017, Rock Falls celebrated its sesquicentennial. n

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