HR0563

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate the citizens of the 
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Village of Rock City on the occasion of the village's 150th 
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anniversary in 2009; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The origins of the Village of Rock City began with 
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George Raymer and the many immigrants settled on the land 
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surrounding the waters of the Rock Run Creek, giving birth to 
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numerous failed settlements such as Jamestown and Graball; in 
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1856, it became widely known that the Racine and Mississippi 
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Railroad was building a line through the territory; in 
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response, the owners of the land around Rock Run Creek formed 
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the village of Rock Run City, which was later renamed Rock 
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City; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Despite predictions of great growth for the 
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Village of Rock City in its early days, growth during the 
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village's first few decades was slow; however, the villagers 
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decided to reverse their fortunes through a program of robust 
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economic growth and construction; the village eventually 
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boasted 3 general stores, owned by John Graham, David Wilcoxin, 
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and Perry Duncan; and

 
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    WHEREAS, During the 1860s, the Village of Rock City was 
 


 






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centered on the outbreak of the Civil War, with dozens of men 
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from Rock City and the entire Rock Run Township enlisted in the 
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Union Army; following the war, Rock City enjoyed great economic 
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success with the Graham grain elevator and livestock sales at 
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the Valentine House; by 1877, however, agricultural prices 
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began to fall, with many Rock City residents feeling the pinch; 
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undeterred by the slumping market, the citizens of the village 
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built a school in 1878 and a Methodist church in 1879; the 
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1880s and 1890s saw  new periods of growth and prosperity for 
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the burgeoning village; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The coming of the 20th century saw great changes 
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for the residents of the Village of Rock City; between 1910 and 
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1920, the village joined the "gasoline age", with automobiles 
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racing down the streets of Rock City and a new auto repair shop 
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being opened; the village also opened a new bank; and

 
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    WHEREAS, On April 6, 1927, the Village of Rock City was 
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caught in a fire that started in the Moellenbrandt's machine 
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shed; the fire eventually destroyed the village's grain 
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elevator, coal yard, lumber shed, and electrical substation, 
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along with the Hufford Garage, the Moellenbrandt home, and 
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numerous other structures; the conflagration helped expedite 
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the establishment of the Rock City fire department; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Great Depression struck the Village of Rock 
 


 






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City like most other places in the United States, making jobs 
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and money a scarce commodity; business went on as usual, 
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however, with new businesses opening their doors; during this 
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time, Clarno Lumber and Supply bought the Graham Elevator and 
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changed the name to Rock City Lumber and Supply; after the end 
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of Prohibition, Albert Kraul, the owner of the corner grocery, 
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opened a tavern in his establishment; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Between 1940 and 1950, many people migrated in and 
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out of the Village of Rock City, with many young men called to 
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serve during World War II; in the 1950s, the village acquired a 
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municipal water system, with a new well drilled in 1956 and 
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mains laid in 1957; also in 1957, the village's Main Street was 
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surfaced with blacktop; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Since 1984, many changes have occurred in the 
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Village of Rock City, including a new subdivision, an improved 
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water system, the removal of railroad bridges, and the arrival 
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of cable television; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Today, the Village of Rock City and its 313 
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residents plan to continue the legacy of hard work and 
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dedication to their village and ensure that future generations 
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learn of the rich heritage and tradition of the villagers that 
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came before them; therefore, be it

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the citizens of the Village of Rock City on the 
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occasion of the village's 150th anniversary and wish them 
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continued success and happiness in the future; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to a representative of the Village of Rock City as a 
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symbol of our esteem and respect.