HR0563 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0563 LRB096 13538 GRL 28286 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

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

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

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

WHEREAS, During the 1860s, the Village of Rock City was centered on the outbreak of the Civil War, with dozens of men from Rock City and the entire Rock Run Township enlisted in the Union Army; following the war, Rock City enjoyed great economic success with the Graham grain elevator and livestock sales at the Valentine House; by 1877, however, agricultural prices began to fall, with many Rock City residents feeling the pinch; undeterred by the slumping market, the citizens of the village built a school in 1878 and a Methodist church in 1879; the 1880s and 1890s saw new periods of growth and prosperity for the burgeoning village; and

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

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

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

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

WHEREAS, Since 1984, many changes have occurred in the Village of Rock City, including a new subdivision, an improved water system, the removal of railroad bridges, and the arrival of cable television; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Village of Rock City and its 313 residents plan to continue the legacy of hard work and dedication to their village and ensure that future generations learn of the rich heritage and tradition of the villagers that came before them; therefore, be it

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

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