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Stories will always play an important part of history, particularly family tales told in the first person. Such stories provide the reader with insight as to the time and temperature of the period in which the author lived. Additionally, they often have the surprise of relating events from a new perspective or with new understanding, and therefore of great interest to local historians.
 150 Year Celebration, Science Ridge Mennonite Church Mary Helen Wade, a long-time Jordan Township resident, provides the history of Sterling's Science Ridge Mennonite Church which celebrated 150 years on June 8, 2008. |
 Grandon Civic Center Construction Photos (Slide Show) Dedicated July 20, 1938. What a gift to the city of Sterling by D.W. Grandon, publisher of The Sterling Daily Gazette.! |
 The Underground Railroad Documented In 1916, Mr. Ivory Colcord wrote a letter to his niece, Mrs. Edith Deets of Milledgeville, Illinois. In it he recalls the participation of his family and others in the Underground Railroad in Genesee Township, Whiteside County, Illinois. |
 The Sinnissippi Mounds in Sterling, Illinois Gunnar A. Benson is the author of this paper exploring the archaeological dig in Sterling in 1961 and Como in 1963 which uncovered Indian bones and relics. |
 A History of Mineral Springs Park by Florence Wetzell The discovery of a mineral spring in 1878 on the Albertson property led to the development of a hotel and recreation area enjoyed by one and all, far and wide. |
| Notes for a Capsule History by Madeleine Nuttall An interesting summary of events and people surrounding the "birth" of Rock Falls, Illinois. Madeleine Nuttall is author of a fiction novel entitled The Gift, 250pp, publ. in 1951. |
 The Illinois and Mississippi Feeder Canal, or The Hennepin Canal An address by Gunnar Benson at the dedication of the historical marker in Rock Falls on October 13, 1974. |
| An Early History of Sterling by William D. U'Ren A unit in local history used in Sterling Public Schools. Excellent material; a must read for every student of Whiteside County history. |
 Romance of the Old Arey House by an Unknown Author The first house in Rock Falls was an Inn built by Edward Atkins who sold it Richard Arey sometime around 1844 when he brought his family here from Massachusetts. The Arey home was a beautiful structure, just sitting there by itself on the prairie. |
| Early Beginnings in Sterling by Gunnar Benson A well known and remembered local historian, who had a passion, the documentation of the history of the community in which he lived. This talk on Sterling's early days was presented in 1984 in honor of the City's 150th anniversary. |
| The Origins of Sterling's Growth and Prosperity by Chris Preston In December, 1996, he was in the Department of History at Northern Illinois University, Dekalb. His dissertation provides a fresh outlook on the historical past. |
 The Stone School, Jordan Township, Whiteside County by Jerald Glawe The schoolhouse has been the authors residence for many years; he wants to share its history. |