Men and Women of the Water Power District

Rockford's Industrial History

A history of local business people and the businesses that transformed Rockford from a small town into a manufacturing city. Presented by local researcher and industry historian, Bill Edmundson. Free.

Bill's presentation will showcase many years of research by compiling a thorough history of Rockford's earliest-known business leaders, forerunners and manufacturers in what came to be know as the Water Power District. Before the advent of electricity, water was commonly used to generate power by water mill. Rockford's Water Power District accommodated furniture builders, sawmills, foundries and similar shops and eventually gave rise to manufacturers known worldwide.

The Winnebago/Boone Counties Genealogical Society (WBCGS) became official in 1986. Anyone can attend meetings and eventually join the WBCGS. Their mission statement appears below. For more information visit their website www.wbcgensociety.org

The Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society (of Illinois) exists to:

• Encourage and support genealogical researchers.
• Promote the discovering and preserving of valued genealogical resources of Winnebago and Boone County, Illinois.
• Through our website, provide resources to help genealogists with an interest in Winnebago or Boone County, Illinois.
• Offer networking opportunities with others who have similar research interests.

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