The Greater Illinois, and in fact, most the Great Lakes states, have a long history with industry. Many of these are the cities on the decline today, where once proud pneumatic conveying systems decay in abandoned warehouses. But what has happened to Rockford, Illinois, and where has it come from? To give you a better picture of this city that over 300,000 people call home, turn to our article on the past, present, and future of heavy industry and trades in Rockford, Illinois.
The Railway
Though what was later to become Rockford was settled by Europeans as early as 1834, it wasn't until several years later that the town emerged from its sleepy trading/agricultural roots into a blooming industrial power. The first industry to arrive was the railroad, in 1852. The Galena and Chicago Union railway changed the city, opening the way for easy transportation of people and goods like used woodworking equipment.
Manufacturing
The arrival of the railway made the development of a manufacturing industry possible. The first products Rockford's factories became known for were agricultural in nature, particularly the John H. Manny reaper. Later came the tray packaging of small furniture items and the carving of larger ones. By the 1880s Rockford was the second largest center for furniture manufacturing in the world, with 25 co-operatives doing steady business.
Heavy Machinery
Though the furniture industry was nearly wiped out by the Great Depression, manufacturing lived on in the city until the 1990s. During this period factories turned out more machinery and heavy items like vacuum trucks, as well as smaller components like sewing machines, cabinets, fasteners, and garage door openers. Some of the most famous companies in this era included the Testors model making company, Tootsie Toys, and Hamilton Sunstrand, a maker of aircraft systems. During this period, half of the city's money came from industry.
The End and The Beginning
The relocation of most heavy industries to cheaper locations overseas spelled the end for Rockford's manufacturing industry. All that was left was the odd auto dealer supply shop, some rusting machinery, and a lot of unemployed workers, earning Rockford a spot on CNN Money's list of Top Ten Worst Cities to Live In. Rockford has since initiated a recovery focused on high technology, suburban housing, and tourism. In the future, we can expect to see old warehouses and industrial lands bought, reclaimed, and turned into parkland, museums, or executive housing for Chicago commuters.
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