Sterling history

Third Street facing east, near the intersection of Locust Street in downtown Sterling, is shown here in a vintage postcard. Among the businesses that can be seen are Scott Stores Five and Dime, Chester Co., Sullivan’s Clothing, and Gamble’s.

The Rock River, Elkhorn and Sugar creeks combined with woodlands and prairie to make the Sterling area attractive to early settlers.

The area was one of the last to be settled in Illinois, with the first settlers arriving in the region about 1832, after the Black Hawk War. Prior to their arrival, the territory was occupied by Fox and Sauk Indians.

Hezekiah Brink was the first person to build a cabin in the area, in 1834. He soon was joined by other settlers, and 2 years after Brink built his cabin, he and his wife had a daughter, the first child born in the township.

Steamer pilot Capt. D.S. Harris delivered a load of supplies to the settlers via the Rock River in 1836, with the majority of merchandise for Brink. In return, Harris received a half interest in a community that was named Harrisburg in his honor.

Around the same time, William Kirkpatrick laid claim to property near Harrisburg that would come to be known as the settlement of Chatham.

Soon the residents of Harrisburg and Chatham became rivals, competing for possession of rented office space and a post office called the Rock River Rapids.

By 1838, though, the two settlements made peace and merged in hopes of becoming the county seat. They united under the new name of Sterling, named after Maj. James Sterling, who participated in the Black Hawk War.

In 1842, believing they were victorious in becoming the county seat, the settlers built a courthouse. It was used for only a short time before the county seat was moved to Morrison, where it remains today. Religious groups and other organizations used the building in Sterling until it was razed for its bricks in 1881.

One of the settlers’ other hopes was to use the Rock River as a navigational route. This plan, however, never worked out because the river had too many rapids. Instead, the settlers learned how to harness the river’s power to run saw and grist mills. Because navigating the Rock River was not an option, the state authorized construction of a canal in 1839. It was to run along the south side of the river and bypass the shallow waters. Financial problems caused this project to be abandoned, as well.

STERLING cont’d on page 7 6 Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2022-23

While Brink was somewhat successful in running a ferry service on the Rock River to attract travelers, other means for crossing the river were unsuccessful.

Work on the first bridge was done from 1856-57, but never was completed and eventually the bridge washed away before it could be used. Other bridges were built and destroyed by the elements, including a toll bridge in 1863 and one in 1904. It was predicted to last forever, but it fell to ruins in 1906.

In 1854, Sterling Hydraulic Co. built a dam across the river to encourage and support other industry in the area.

Not all factories, though, were dependent on water power. Industrial expansion increased dramatically after the Civil War, and one of the first factories in the area was the mitten factory owned by A.P. Smith, the founder of Rock Falls. Keystone Co., Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. and Eureka Manufacturing Co. all were begun between 1870 and 1879.

The arrival of the first train in Sterling, in July 1855, caused great celebration and was a progressive step for the town. U.S. Sen. Stephen A. Douglas and Gov. Joel Matteson were among the 3,000 people in attendance.

Sterling didn’t become a city until 1857, when it received a special charter from the General Assembly. An election of officers was held and Lorenzo Hapgood was chosen as first mayor. In 1869, the charter was revised and Sterling was governed under amended provisions until it was incorporated under the laws of the state.

The first bank in Sterling opened in 1852, when Hapgood and Miles S. Henry went into business together. The firm dissolved in 1861, and other banks were started.

The Sterling Gas Co. was organized in 1873 to provide gas for domestic purposes and street illumination. Eventually, the company changed its name and provided both gas and electricity after a period in which Sterling had many service companies.

By July 1889, the installation of a system to light the city with electricity and the building of an electric railway progressed simultaneously. However, the project of electric transportation was complicated and dormant for 10 years.

One of the few electric lines to be successful was the Sterling, Dixon and Eastern Electric Railway. The SD & EER ran a trolley service between Sterling and Dixon from 1904 to 1925. Around 1930, some of the streetcars were remodeled into tourist cabins and moved to Morrison.

Sterling’s first school was built in 1856. The early schools were frame structures, but later ones were constructed of brick. Lincoln School originally was called First Ward School, and Central School was called Sterling School.

In 1877, Sterling Business College was started by Harry Aument. He claimed to have the first business college in the world to include shorthand in its curriculum.

The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society was founded in 1959 by individuals interested in preserving the historical heritage of both cities.

Another view of Third Street facing east, this one near the intersection of Avenue A in downtown Sterling during the late 1800s. The former Randolph Hotel is seen at right. Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2022-23 7