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Centennial Program
8:00 a.m. - Display Area Open
Games and Booths In Operation
Registration and Visitation
11:00 a.m. - Serving of noon meal begins
Musical entertainment by Rockbridge Rural Rousers 4-H Club
1:20 p.m. — Welcoming speech by President of Village Board
1:25 p.m. - Introduction of Congressman Paul Findley
1:30 p.m. — Address by Congressman Findley
Greg Price leads group singing
Recognition of Mary Tucker, charter member of Magazine Club
Response by Mrs. Tucker
Beard Judging and Awarding of Prizes
Entertainment by Rhonda and Randall Barnett,
(baton twirling and electric guitar selections)
Costume Judging and Awarding of prizes
Recognition of various visitors
3:00 p.m. - Visiting Period
Open House at Rockbridge Castings hosted by the Peterson family
Free competitive games for children
Booths and games in operation
4:00 p.m. - Band concert by Greenfield Unit School Band
Recognition of late Mr. Troy Burger as Village Historian
5:00 p.m. — Serving of evening meal begins
Musical entertainment during meal
6:30 p.m. — Introduction of Illinois Representative Jerry Corbett
6:35 p.m. — Address by Representative Corbett
Historical skit by Taylor Creek Toughies 4-H Club
Recognition of person who traveled farthest to Centennial
Celebration and person who lived in Rockbridge Post Offic<i
Community the longest time ago
8:30 p.m. — Teen-Age Street Dance
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The History of Rockbridge
The "Old Town" before 1871
In the gigantic plan of creation, surely the Great Creator
must have added a special touch to the virgin prairies and pri-
meval forests of America's mid-west. Here, in a little corner
of Greene County, one such majestic touch was given to that
tiny section of the county which was destined to become Tay-
lor's Prairie. Here, too, in by-gone days adventurous pioneers
leaving the shelter of their old homes, pushed out into the domain
of wild beasts and the scarce less wild brothers, the Kickapoos
and the Pottawatomies. Through the trials and hardships, they
carved out new homes amid the haunts of nature in its wildest
mood. Their deeds deserve a place in history that will long
survive the monuments of marble that mark their resting places.
» • "at; -
The Old Mill
1826-1888
on
Macoupin Creek
Rockbridge, 111.
H.oK^rUfc*'*'
A century ago, these now productive acres, these rich grazing
lands, and the fertile farms were lying in an almost unbroken
wilderness of trees and grasses. They were also the hunting
grounds and often the battlefields of the American Indian.
Meandering its way aimlessly through the virgin soil, nur-
turing the heavy growth of timber along its banks, the Macoupin
Creek, or Maquapin (white potato) as the Indians called it, hur-
ried on its way to join the Illinois River. Upon the banks of this
creek in what had been known as "Taylor's Prairie", the village
of Rockbridge had its origin. The prairie had derived its name
from John and Ambrose Taylor who, with Benjamin Allen, had
settled here in 1819.
The First Building
The first building in this southeast corner of Greene County
was a grist mill erected in 1826 by John Hardcastle and Moses
Stephens. A dam across the Macoupin furnished water power to
operate the mill. John Barnett bought the mill in 1836, and four
years later sold it to George Randle. About 1853, it was sold
again; this time to three men (William Gage, G. T. W. Sheffield,
and I. R. Ostrom) who added steam power and otherwise im-
proved the mill. With these changes, a lively business began and
and a cluster of log cabins sprang up. For the next twenty years,
the mill was in various hands. When Isaac Bruner came into pos-
session of it, he added a saw mill in order to give year-round
work.
Up to this time, the only means of crossing Macoupin Creek,
which in the early days was usually high, was by canoe or boat.
So, in 1845, a covered bridge was built just south of the mill.
This was a boon to transportation in the area.
Covered Bridge over the Macoupin
1845-1901
In 1901, a modern steel bridge took the place of this covered
one. Even that bridge has been taken away, and the once heavily
traveled road has disappeared.
The First Post Offlce
In 1849, a post office was established and called Rock-
bridge. George D. Randle, who was postmaster, kept the office
in his residence which was a hewn-log house near the mill.
The mail was carried in and out by horseback.
The winter of 1830-31 had long been remembered as "The
Winter of the Deep Snow". After that, events were usually
reckoned as before or after that severe time.
In the 1850's, a settlement grew up about one-half mile west
of Rockbridge, and was known as Dublin. The monument to this
little settlement is the well-kept cemetery which marks the spot.
The original Catholic church was later moved to Rockbridge
and remodeled into a home.
It is difficult to determine just when the first burial was
made in this or the other two cemeteries, Witt and Taylor, be-
cause the earliest graves are unmarked and no records are avail-
able. We do know that in the Witt cemetery the early graves were
located among the forest trees when the land was still unclaimed.
Tiny family burial places can be found on many farms in the
area.
Tie New Town 1871-1971
In the year 1870, the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis
Railroad came through, so the village of Rockbridge was moved
Railroad Station and Water Tank
one-half mile northwest of the old mill. It was laid out along
the railroad by G. T. Sheffield and George Hudson on July 18,
1871. The railroad company named it "Sheffield" in honor of Mr.
Sheffield, which name it retained until the railroad came into the
hands of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Co., who changed the
name again to Rockbridge, the name of the post office never
having been altered.
James Valentine erected the first general store, thereby be-
coming the pioneer merchant. He also built a grain warehouse
and laid in a supply of lumber.
The First House
The first house on the site was built by Samuel Judy in 1860
as a monument to his success in the California Gold Rush.
The first bank was in a tiny brick building which is still
standing in what was the business section. As more space was
necessary, the bank was moved to a larger building. After the
Depression and the Bank Moratorium, the Rockbridge Bank failed
to open for business.
The First Bank
Rockbridge Business Section
in the 1880's and 90' s
By the year 1877, three additions of land had been made to the
new village. They were the L. F. Williams, the James Valentine
and the Isaac Bruner additions.
Nine Businesses in 1879
The History of Greene County published in 1879 recorded nine
flourishing businesses: J. H. and J. M. Valentine, M. R. Blodgett,
Kinder & Rives, general merchandise; J. Keeley & Co., drugs
Wm. Rhoads, groceries; John Barnett, harness; C. H. Weaver,
furniture; Miss Nannie Clark, milliner; Philip Jacobi, blacksmith
and agricultural implements; A. Tendick, boots and shoes; Peter
Achenbach, meats; D. R. Colman, "City Mills"; J. M. Valen-
tine, grain and lumber. From the same history is this quote: "It
(Rockbridge) is well known for the ehergy of its business men,
who claim that there is a greater amount of business done at this
place in proportion to its size than any other town in the coun-
ty".
Teiidick's Store
"on the other side of town"
Incorporated in 1885
Rockbridge was incorporated in 1885 with a governing body
consisting of a village board and president. There were two
hundred inhabitants. In a very short time, the population had in-
creased to three hundred.
Four religious denominations were active. These, in order
of their organization were: Baptist, 1837, Catholic, 1865, Metho-
dist, 1872, and Presbyterian which was connected with the Wal-
nut Grove church.
There were three societies, Masonic, Knights of Honor, and
Temperance.
An important musical group was the Rockbridge Band, which
owned a set of fine instruments and a very handsome bandwagon.
The village was rich in musical talent and interest.
Dr. A. E. Miller
Rockbridge Physician
from
February 16, 1869
to
December 22, 1923
Schools
Just as people of today are interested in education, so did the
early pioneers hunger for knowledge. Their only source of reading
material at first was from the peddler who passed through the
country peddling his great variety of "wares".
Rockbridge
School
1874-1911
The First School
The first school house was built in 1874, with John Howell
as the teacher. It was a two-story frame building, thirty-two by
forty-two feet in size and built at a cost of $2500. The contractor
was R. T. Dawson. Fire destroyed the building about the year
1911.
After the destruction of the old building, a new one-story
structure was put up on the same site. It served the community
as grade and a two-year high school. It, too, was destroyed by
fire in 1932. A new grade school replaced it.
School District Organized
In 1923, through an overwhelming vote of the people, a new
school district was organized to include a four year high school.
The new building was completed and ready for occupancy In the
Rockbridge Grade and Two Year High School
Rockbridge Grade School
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1
il
y
Fall of 1924. It was known as Rockbridge Community High
School. This reorganization was under the supervision of Fred
S. Pewter.
Mr. Pewter, or "Prof" as he was affectionately called by his
students, came to Rockbridge in September, 1918- He was instru-
mental in guiding the growth of the educational system from 1918
to 1943. In these twenty-five years, the Rockbridge Public
Schools were an acknowledged factor in helping to sustain the
reputation of Greene County for the excellency of her schools.
Mr. Pewter was a great advocate of athletics, and all who passed
his way learned the value of sportsmanship and fair-play. Ac-
cording to the proverb of three score years and ten, Mr. Pewter
gave one-third of the average lifetime in the service of Rock-
bridge, not only as an educator, but as one who gave of himself
for the well-being of others.
Fred S. Pewter
serving the Rockbridge
school system
1918-1943
Rockbridge Community High School
1924-1947
Fire District Organized
Several times during the century, fires have taken their toll.
The last one was the Rockbridge Elevator which burned in July,
1968.
Previous to this, a fire district had been organized for the
protection of Rockbridge and the surrounding area.
Two other civic im-
provements, in addition
to the fire department,
that have come about
during the last decade
are the natural gas in-
stallation and a water
system.
Rockbridge Grain Elevator
During World Wars I and II and the intervening years, railroad
transportation was at its peak with four passenger trains making
daily stops. There were numerous freight trains loading and un-
loading merchandise and keeping the village in touch with the
outside world. Livestock was shipped almost daily from the sur-
rounding farms.
*;;v
Rockbridge Stockyards - 1939
Railroads Begin Decline
After the close of World War iL and the building of Highway
#67, railroad transportation began to decline. One by one the
passenger trains were dropped until, in 1962, the faithful old
passenger train made its final run. Just as the coming of the rail-
road was instrumental in building our town, better means of trans-
portation was largely responsible for the decline of this and
other small towns.
If we could look into a crystal ball and see the years ahead,
perhaps we could envision a rebirth of the smaller, once thriving
towns. One hopeful note for our community is the coming of the
new factory— Rockbridge Castings Company, owned by the Cetitral
Pattern Company of Hazelwood, f^issouri.
Rockbridge is surrounded by rich farm land owned, for the
most part, by those who operate the farms. The farmers are inter-
ested in progress and improvement of their farms.
Our town is comprised of neat, well-kept homes. There are no
statues erected in honor of greatness; but the people are steady,
law abiding citizens who go quietly about their daily duties,
always ready to lend a helping hand to their neighbors.
— Isn't that the policy which has made America great?
Our Town - 1971
Rockbridge
Baptist Church
Rockbridge Pentecostal Church
Rockbridge Methodist Church
The Rockbridge Village Board
Left to right; Stu Scandrett, Water Commissioner; John Ewing,
Bill Griswold, Warren Wagner, Mrs. Eula Terry, Secretary;
Wayne Johnson, Richard Scott and Charles Postel, President.
(Dale Rimbey was absent when photo was taken)
Wagner Seed & Supply
Warren Wagner, Owner
Rockbridge Castings Co. - Office
IBS''
Powers AG Market
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Powers, Owners
Terry's Garage
Mr. and Mrs. Miles Terry, Owners
City of Rockbridge - Water Plant
Rockbridge Volunteer Fire Department
Left to right; Oliver Lee Young, Art Motley, Jack McManus
and Keith Whittaker, Chief
f f
Our Lillle Town"
yVe like to live in a little town,
Where the trees meet across the street;
Where you wave your hand and say, **Hello**
To everyone you meet.
We like to stand for a moment
Outside the grocery store.
And listen to the friendly gossip
Of the folks who live next door.
For life is interwoven
With the friends we learn to know.
And we hear their joys and sorrows
As we daily come and go.
So we like to live in a little town.
And care no more to roam;
For every house is a little town
Is more than a house — it's home.
(This poem was taken from a place mat at the
"Bronze Lantern** Dinner House and Motel in
Yuma, Colorado, and was loaned to us by Ha-
zel and Glen Hughes, Kilbourne, Illinois.)
THANK YOU
The Village Board and the Centennial Committee, on behalf of
the citizens of Rockbridge and surrounding area, would like to
take this means to thank all of the people who, in any way con-
tributed to the success of this, our 100th birthday celebration.
A very special thanks should go to all of the businesses who
so graciously donated funds to help us finance our centennial.
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