Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society

1872 Whiteside County Township and City Plat Maps
Even though the 1872 Whiteside County Atlas and Index has been one of the historical museum's best sellers simply because it contains a Name/Landmark Cross Reference Index to property and sites, the individual Township maps themselves are quite useful. We reproduce them (including Albany, Clyde, Erie, Fenton, Fulton, Garden Plain, Genesee, Hahnaman, Hopkins, Hume, Jordan, Lyndon, Mountmorency, Mt. Pleasannt, Newton, Portland, Prophetstown, Sterling, Tampico, Union Grove and Ustick) here to assist in your research. More...

1872 Whiteside County Atlas & Index
Here is an item sure to be of interest to those who research citizens in Whiteside County, Illinois. The 152 page publication contains reproductions of 1872 plat maps of 40+ Townships, pictorial views and includes a Name and Landmark Index, cross-referenced to the individual maps. It is available either perfect bound or spiral bound.
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The Hopewell Civilization in the Sauk Valley
A new, very educational and informative book written by Wolf and Linnea Koch tells of the early Indian culture in both the Ohio river valley and our own Sauk Valley area, with particular emphasis on the Sinnissippi Mounds in Sterling, Illinois. The authors take you back two thousand years and describe how our area was at the crossroads of manufacturing an commerce, long before the advent of the Plains Indians with their tepees and bows and arrows.
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Grandon Civic Center Construction Photos
Scott Grandon has a family scrapbook with 117 old photographs taken during the construction of the Grandon Civic Center in 1938. The original album was prepared by Harry E. Kidd, of the Daily Gazette, and presented to D.W. Grandon, the donor of the center to the city of Sterling. SRFHS is happy to present these historical photos in an online slide program for your viewing. The presentation represents 70 years continuous service to the public (1938-2008).
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Board Approves Director and Curator Position
The SRFHS Board of Directors has approved the creation of the position Director and Curator for the Society at a meeting January 19, 2008. Terry Buckaloo has served as Museum Curator, a part-time position since 1998. He will continue as Curator, and assume additional responsibilities as full-time Director. It is with great confidence we welcome Terry on board to the new job of Director and Curator.

Local Historic Structures Books
David Alan Badger, a noted Havana, Illinois artist, has completed two books on Sterling and one on Rock Falls, each featuring 35 pen and ink drawings of local architecture. The final book in the series depicting the Dillon Home completes the series.
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Retrospective: Sarah Worthington
The Sterling Mural Society dedicated a new mural in September, 2006 on Mrs. E. B. Worthington, the first teacher in the area. In cooperation, SRFHS printed a factual, historical record, a small 16-page booklet, on Sarah Worthington and her contribution to cultural growth of the community. Read more...

A wealth of information available in new publications
The historical society has recently released for sale two new Lincoln statue postcards and a 340 page book on its postcard collection. If you want a pictorial history of Sterling and Rock Falls from 1900 through the 50s, this book is a must. Read more...

Photo essay on the Lincoln Statue Dedication
The unveiling of the Lincoln statue on July 18, 2006 at Propheter Park in Sterling was an exciting, well attended event, one that captures the imagination of what might have been.
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Bryon Andreasen Featured Speaker at Lincoln Statue Dedication
The Keynote speaker at the upcoming celebration at Propheter Park on July 18, commorating Lincoln's visit to Sterling 150 years ago, will be Bryon Andreason, Research Historian, from the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield. Festivities will begin at 5:00 P.M. with Welcome and Unveiling of Statue at 6:00. Come join us.

Lincoln Statue Dedication and Sponsorship Opportunities
Consider this your invitation to attend and participate in the July 18 Sterling Lincoln celebration. Read more...