December 31, 2014
Looking Back
A glimpse p into y yesterday y
throughout g the Sauk Valley y
Old pictures coupled with memories take us back in time where we recall both pleasantries and tragedies. Area residents gathered all the pictures they could find to help us piece together yesterday - a time way back when.
A supplement to Sauk Valley Media
Captions were written from information supplied by the owners of the photographs.
C2 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Left: Lee County Light and Power Co. Horse and Buggy days 1914 era Picture taken in Amboy. The men at the extreme left and fourth from left are unidentified. Others are left to right Charlie Coakley, Bill Bradley, Short Sterns, Patty Mcghel and Lee Bowes. In those days a lot of men called transients would come to town, get a job, stay for a pay check or two and move on. Above: Lee County Light and Power Co., 1914 Era Picture taken in Dixon on River St. next to Formerly Newman’s garage, now a parking lot for KSB employees. It was a Cooper Shop (Barrel maker) The men pictured with the mascot on the wagon are Ray Haley and Harry Minnihan. In the group standing, men at extreme right and fourth from left are unidentified. Others left to right are Dave Kelly, Bill Bradley, George Rock and John Burke.
Left: Lee County Light and Power Co. 100 years ago The year was 1914 and the location was Logan Ave. and 9th St. looking North. The crew of linemen was converting a street lighting circuit from arc lighting to incandescent lighting. From top to bottom on the left side of pole are Harry Johnson, father of Harold Johnson and the late Raymond Johnson, Red Barnes and John Bradley. From top to bottom on right side of pole are Jim Johnson, a transient from Arkansas, Happy Meurer and Patty Mighells. “Dad” Drummond standing on the ground. The horses were named Jack and Rabbit.
All photos submitted by Herold D. Johnson
Established 1832
Mueller Conservatory of Music - 1937 Students of the Mueller Conservatory of Music, 119 1/2 S. Galena Ave., Dixon, posed. commemorating their second annual recital on May 16, 1937. The music school was above the A&P Grocery Store and adjacent to Fanelli’s Confectionery at 117 S. Galena Ave. Representatives of Mueller Conservatory went door to door getting parents to agree to have their children take tenor banjo, violin and guitar lessons. The instructors were Arthur Blocher and his wife, who lived in Amboy. Some of the names of students are known; if anyone knows any missing names of students, please contact Harold Johnson at 288-3009. Pictured from left are: first row - John Pearson, Dean Wentling, unknown, unknown, Carroll Vickery, Frank Muhlebach; second row - Oscar Gardner Jr., Katherine Hawks, Delores Frerichs, unknown, unknown, unknown, Wayne Pope, Walter White, Robert Cramer, Keith Clark; third row - Charles Adams, unknown, Gerald Lester, Glen Godt, unknown, Robert Wentling, Dorothy Hawks, unknown, unknown, Mrs. Arthur Blocher (instructor); fourth row - Arthur Blocher (instructor), Harold Johnson, Russell Eller, unknown, Ray Johnson, LaVerne Gardner, James Traynor, Kenneth Cramer, George Kobler; fifth row - Jane Sharp, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, William Boehme, Allan Sommers, unknown, unknown; sixth row - Franklin Forman, Jack Buchanan, unknown
Established 1860
Established 1851
Incorporated 1859
113 S. Peoria, Ave. Dixon, IL 815-284-2222
Mayor James Burke Commissioners David Blackburn, Colleen Brechon, Jeffrey Kuhn, Dennis Considine
Established 1872
Dixon Family YMCA
136 North Elm Street Franklin Grove, IL 61031 815-456-3030
3200 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, Illinois 815-625-3600
Lincoln Highway Association National Headquarters
Established 1854 Established 1880
Established 1883
Franklin Grove Bank
815-288-9622 w w w. d i xo n y m c a . o rg
Established 1889
H.I. Lincoln Store
108 North Elm Street Franklin Grove, IL 61031 815-456-2311
Established 1897
201 W. 1st St., Dixon, IL (815) 284-6626 www.treinsjewelry.com Established 1909
Jones Funeral Home
Patrick Jones, Sr.
Patrick Jones, Jr.
One Family Serving Other Families Since 1997
Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA 2505 YMCA Way, Sterling 815-535-9622
Established 1910
formerly
Dixon 204 S. Ottawa 288-2241
Established 1919
Amboy 303 E. Main 857-2611
100 E. LeFevre Road • Sterling, IL 61081 www.cghmc.com
Established 1987 Helping you protect what’s most important Tracey Hemminger 815-625-4876
Rock River Printers
1991 Industrial Drive • Sterling, IL 815-626-2727 • 877-626-2724 www.pinney.com
Established 1926
Established 1930
Established 1937
Modern Shoe Shop “Great Deals - Great Service Since 1926”
815-849-5232 or 1-800-227-5203
Route 52 North • Sublette www.vaessenbrothers.com
815-849-5251 After 6pm
“Expert Shoe Repair Service”
RELIABLE • AFFORDABLE • PROFESSIONAL
1309 N. Galena Ave. F Dixon F 1-815-284-3007 Mon - Fri 8 am - 7pm • Sat 8 am - 4 pm
2812 Pine Street • Rock Falls, Illinois
Kim Thome, 3rd Generation Owner, Since 1937
I CCMC 87113
815-625-1282
IL CC 1594MC
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
www.saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Media • C3
Goldie Rice (Schuler) and Harry Schuler on Rock River
Established 1937 ASK ABOUT OUR
FAMILY SIZE
CHICKEN BOXES White, Dark or Mixed! 1679 Hoover Road, Deer Grove, IL 61243 815-438-5282
Established 1951
KNUTSEN CABINETS & COUNTERTOPS Area’s Leader in Customer Satisfaction, with Personalized Designs, Affordable - Quality Products & Professional Installation
Established 1940
Russ’ Automotive Service & Towing Carr Oil
319 W. Everett, Dixon • 815.288.9345 Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-Noon “We opened back in 1940 and have been locally owned ever since”
Established 1951
2708 West 4th Street Sterling, IL 61081 (815) 625-8290
Fireplaces, i G Gas Logs, Stoves S Wholesale Plumbing Supplies 61 Years in Business
101 E. 2nd Street, Sterling 815-625-0937 www.plainwellbrass.com
Established 1960
1385 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 284-3819 • www.bonnell.com
Established 1965
STERLING THEATER We Love Movies. We Live Movies.
For movies and showtimes, or event and party info, call: 815-632-3708 402 Locust Street Sterling, IL 61081 DOWNTOWN STERLING www.sterlingtheater.com Like us on Facebook
Established 1952
Family Owned Business For Over 60 years! Fine Mexican Food & American Favorites
101 East 2nd Street (Downtown Sterling)
815-625-4121 Established 1953
Established 1944
218 Locust St., Sterling 625-7969 (for carryout)
Established 1954
Lyle Dirks
Auctioneer “Thank you for your business in 2014.” 1704 16th Avenue • Sterling • (815) 626-3358
Established 1963
DAIRY QUEEN 1203 W. 4th Street, Sterling 815-626-1313
Established 1965
Sales Your Site or Ours • Open Daily
DINING HOURS: Monday-Thursday: 11 am-9 pm; Friday: 11 am-10 pm & Saturday: 10 am-10 pm BAR HOURS: 8 am-1 am
Established
1956 with Bob & Russ 1984 Became Bonnell Downtown Sunoco 1988 Bonnell Repair & Towing, Inc.
3 Generations of Bob! “At Your Service To Help.” 400 First Avenue • Rock Falls (815) 626-3849 Website: bonnellrepair@att.net MC 187197 • ILL C.C.71901 MC-CR
Established 1964
Ro ock River Valley Self Help Enterprises 2300 West LeFevre Rd. Sterling, IL 815-626-3115 Serving over 300 physically and mentally challenged citizens of Whiteside County. selfhelpent@essex1.com Day Training • Residential • Recycling
Established 1967
Auction City Sales
Auto Group
10 Fra ran anchises - One Location
1-800-556-5080
N. Galena Ave., Dixon
www.KenNelsonAuto.com
2505 W. 4th St., Dixon, IL 61021
Auctioneer: Lee Hollingsworth Phone 815-288-5814 IL. License #40000730
Hwy 52 • Amboy • www.gerdessales.com
C4 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Edward Weidel Trucking, Sterling Photo submitted by Karen O’Malley
Freeman Shoe Company, Dixon Photo submitted by Albert Kastner
Haak & Weidel Trucking, Sterling Photo submitted by Karen O’Malley
Henry Haak
KSB Hospital - 1915
1920s Modern Woodmen Band
Established 1969
Ron’s Automotive
General Auto Repair 1217 Palmyra Avenue, Dixon 288-5444 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 Established 1973
Nichol’s Greenhouse
1228 West 4th Street 1 Dixon, IL 815-284-3805 Established lished 1975
Established 1972
RAILSIDE Al & Christa Hicks - Owners Since 2002 (815) 251-4633 therailsidebarandgrill.com 207 Butler Street, Nelson, IL 61021
Established 1974
STERLING PAVILION, LTD. 105 E 23rd St Sterling, IL 61081
815-626-4264 www.sterlingrehab.com
“Serving the Sauk valley area for 40 years!”
Established 1977
Established 1973
WALNUT MANOR Locally Owned
• Skilled Nursing Care • Medicare, OSF & Medicaid Certified • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Available • Hospice Care • Short-Term Stays • 62 Bed Facility
“Let Us Make Our Home Your Home” 308 S. Second St., Walnut, IL 815-379-2131
Established 1974
STERLING HEARING AID CE ENTER 603 Free eport Rd. Sterlin ng, IL 815-626-3220
“Serving the Sauk Valley Area for 40 Years!”
Established 1979 Exceptional Care. Exceptional Training. Exceptional People.
Lowestt Priices in Town... GUARANTEED! Appliances • TV’s • Mattresses • Hot Tubs
2400 N. Locust Street, Sterling • 815.625.8529
Established 1981
WILCO RENTAL 1825 Locust, Sterling 815-625-4323 www.wilcorental.com
Established 1982
WORKMAN HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
E T EXCEPTIONAL CC Care & Training Center
(815) 288-7841 900 Galena Avenue Dixon, IL 61021 Established 1981
MCS
Moore Construction Services
2601 Woodlawn Road Sterling, IL 815-626-5820 www.exceptional-care.org ECTC is a not-for-profit organization
Established 198 82
Pillars Repairr, Inc.
2400 E. Rock Falls Rd., Rock Falls, IL Home Improvement • New Construction Specializing in Complete Remodels
There is still time to re-roof / re-side and build your garage or addition.
Quality Products & Workmanship ~ Competitive Prices Randy L. Moore 1-815-626-1333
IL State Roofing Licensed - 1986 Bonded-Insured
Established 1984
1022 E. Route 30 0 Rock Falls, IL (815) 626-6154 Established 1985
Morrison Auto Supply
1903 1st Avenue, Rock Falls
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 815-626-1213 www.workmanhd.com
SALES-SERVICE-PARTS
502 E. Lincolnway • Morrison, IL 61270 (815)772-7451
Dave Shelter took over ownership in 1984.
2400 W. 4th St., Dixon 815-288-2488
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
First Avenue Bridge, Sterling – 1912
Avenue G Bridge - 1909
Rock Falls Fire Department - 1909
Arnie’s Happy Spot - 1937
Galena Avenue, Dixon - 1860
Established 1987 7
CREATIVE KITCHENS & BATH, INC. “ I n n ova t i o n s i n W h o l e - H o u s e C a b i n e t r y ! ”
Steve Workman
Complete Design Service
2510 Locust, Sterling, IL • 815-626-5499 “ We ’l l ge t yo u r k i t ch e n c o o k i n ’ ! ”
Established 1987
Oliver’ss CORNER MARKE T
Willy’sansnd Cocktail Willy Restaurant Lounge
Commercial • Industrial • Insured •Bonded 215 W. 14th St. • Rock Falls
815-625-7142
Established 1992 Open 7 days a week! Sun.-Thurs. 5am-3pm Fri. & Sat. 5am-9pm We serve dinner Fri. & Sat.
Sterling 815-626-0401 Authentic Mexican Cuisine Established 1993 Complete, Reliable Plumbing Service Commercial • Residential Service, Repair, Installation Pump & Well • Water Heaters • In Floor Heat • Boilers RPZ Backflflo ow Preventer • Installation & Testing
Private room available Call for reservation 815-625-5160
Established 1994
2900 Polo Road Sterling, IL 61081
815-626-4600
“Serving the Sauk Valley Area for 20 Years!”
Established 1999
2404 N. Locust St. & Lynn Blvd. 815-626-8844
Established 1988 CASA A - 15th Judicial Circuit Serving Lee, Carroll & Ogle Counties
Joining hands for Childr en
Established 1994
David Damhoff Auctioneering & Appraisals Services Farm & Household • Real Estate Consignment • Antiques Appraisals www.daviddamhoff.com
815.626.5714
Established 1995
Tompkins Trucking & Excavating Inc.
18661 Holly Road • Morrison, IL 61270 815-772-8850
Established 1996
Bruce Tompkins, Owner Office: 815-622-9378 Fax: 815-622-9375
9904 Freeport Rd. Rock Falls, IL 61071 tompkinstrucking@thewisp.net
Established 2001
HAWKINS - CASSENS INSURA RANCE AGENCY, LLC
542 US. Rt. 52 • Sublette 815-849-9010
Servicing all makes and models of farm equipment
Established 2003
MART PLUS
2321 E. Lincollnway, Sterling
815-625-7474
Established 1987
WE FIX PROBLEM WATER & ALL BRANDS OF EQUIPMENT.
Corner of Brinton and Bradshaw in Dixon, Illinois • 815-288-7480 Store Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 7 Days A Week We accept WIC & Food Stamps, Complete Lottery Agent
Established 1988
Compete Electrical Contractors, Inc.
On Rt. 40 N. Across From Pete Harkness Auto Mall 2511 N. Locust St.
Sauk Valley Media • C5
Deluxe Cleaners, Dixon - 1949
Established 1986
STERLING
www.saukvalley.com
312 16th Avenue, Sterling 815-626-1737
Thank you for your business!
C6 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Boat Ride, Lowell Park
Flooding at Dixon High School Football Field
Above: Harry Hickman 1920’s Vera’s Dad Eveyln Rhodes’ Grandfather
Clayton Rhodes owned Rhodes by Brady Village “The Home of the Spanish Sandwich”, located on Chicago Ave. in Dixon.
All photos submitted by Evelyn Rhodes Cornwell
Established s s d 2004 00
113 West 1st Street Dixon • Illinois 815-285-4924
thenextpictureshow.org Established 2008
Established 2006
Car & Jim McCue
Established 2007
EggsInParadise
Winter Hours: 9-3 Mon-Fri Closed Saturday & Sunday Summer Hours: 9-5 Mon-Fri, 9-12 Saturday Closed Sunday
3506 E. Lincolnway, Sterling 815-564-0735
815.626.6120
1702 Westwood Drive, Sterling Email: poolside@essex1.com
Established 2009
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 6am-3pm • Fri. & Sat. 6am-8pm
Established 2010
MAPLE PANCAKE HOUSE 103 W. 3RD STREET, STERLING, IL • (815) 548-9550
307 First Ave., Sterling (815) 564-9376
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 - 6p.m.; Sat. 9 -5p.m.; Sun. 10 -4p.m.
Established 2011
(815) 632-3630
505 West Lynn Blvd.,
Sterling, IL 61081
HOURS: Tues.-Fri.: 3-7 Saturday: 10-6 Sunday: 1-5 www.funjump.us Indoor Inflatable Playground! VOTED #1 BY SAUK VALLEY READER’S POLL 2 YEARS IN A ROW
Established 2014
405 5th Avenue, Sterling 815-564-0542
Manny’s Pizza Sterling 815-535-0707 312 Locust Street Sterling, IL 61051