In this photo, it appears only the chimney was left standing in January, 1891, when the bleacher exploded and killed four men. The plant, first called Rock River Mills, changed ownership several times. It was located along the race at the foot of Fourth avenue in Rock Falls. In the early 1900's, the Illinois Straw Products Company employed as many as 75 men and operated day and night. It produced manilla, rag and straw wrapping paper using 11-1/2 tons of straw daily. The company went out of business in 1928.
