Title: Author publishes photographic history of Rockford
Author: Hope Cronkright
Publisher: The Cedar Springs Post
Date: 10/1/09
She's in the business of "family history mysteries." On August 10, 2009, Cedar Springs native and Local Family Historian Roberta Schirado put her first book on the shelves. The book, titled Rockford, is part of the Images of America Series preserving the history of communities throughout the country.
"You don't know where you're going until you know where you have been," said Schirado. Her passion for writing and history are well displayed in the book.
Rockford is a collection of photo-essays covering the late 19th and early-to mid-20th century. Done in conjunction with the Rockford Historical Society, the scans from the book will be kept on permanent record at the museum.
By knowing the history of a location, Schirado explains, "you can avoid making the same mistake over and over and over. Not only being aware of the mistakes, but remembering them."
Schirado resided in Cedar Springs for 18 years until moving to Rockford. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Central Michigan University. She has also served eight years as an editor for Michigana, a quarterly journal for the West Michigan Genealogical society.
Currently, Schirado is working on her second book, a mystery. "It's about a woman who is a genealogist and a mystery that comes along, with several of her friends," said Schirado. She explained that the book shows people what you have to do to figure out your family history.
To order Rockford or find out more information on the book contact:
Rockford, $21.99, Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.
Title: New history of Rockford published
Author: Michael Taylor
Publisher: Northeast Advance
Date: 8/10/09
Rockford wasn't always Rockford. The city's first name was Laphamville, named for one of the town's first settlers, Smith Lapham, who built a mill on the Rogue River before the Civil War. It wasn't until after the war that the town's name was changed to Rockford. Soon after, the river's dam was build to supply power for the numerous lumber and grist mills and—much later—electricity for the area.
These and many other interesting facts are presented along with many vintage photographs in the soon-to-be-released "Images of America: Rockford."
Compiled by local author Roberta H.J. Schirado on behalf of the Rockford Historical Society, the book details the rise of the city from the arrival of its first permanent residents in the early 1840s all the way through to the present day.
According to advance publicity, Schirado—a local family historian—earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Central Michigan University and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. A freelance writer for the past eight years, she has edited "Michigana," the quarterly journal of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society.
Some of the highlights of her most recent book include a nod to the Rockford Area Historical Society, which played an important role in the development of the book by providing photographs from the society's extensive collection.
The Hirth Krause Shoe Company—the predecessor of Wolverine World Wide—also provided many of the photographs, particularly those depicting the development of shoe manufacturing in the area.
Tragic events are also included in the book. The 1922 fire, which burned the Union School Building to the ground, is illustrated in photos of the fire, as well as the resulting aftermath.
The book is published by Arcadia Publishing, the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.
According to Arcadia Publicist Emily Higgins, the goal of the company is to "...make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America's people and places."
"Images of America: Rockford" will be available at local bookstores as well as online at www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Title: Historical: New book highlights Rockford's rich history
Author: Jeannie Gregory
Publisher: Rockford Independent
Date: 8/11/09
A new book will be released today that celebrates a city steeped in its own unique history. "Rockford" is a pictorial study of the city that was founded by Smith Lapham and was dubbed Laphamville. It follows Rockford's progress from a fledgling village to the 1960s. The book is part of Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series.
The book is the work of author Roberta (Bobbi) Schirado, a member of the Rockford Area Historical Society. Schirado, an active genealogist, feels a driving passion to accurately preserve the past.
"There is a loss of preserving the past," said Schirado. "The book is one way of preserving the past."
The past is now well-documented through Schirado's 128-page tribute to Rockford. The pictorial highlights the city in six chapters: The River and the Town, Business and Industry, Schools and Churches, Organizations and Groups, War and the Homefront and People.
Schirado's labor only required six months, and she gives the lion's share of the credit to the Rockford Area Historical Society's Board and the Rockford Area Historical Museum's Director Pat Frye. Schirado dedicated the book to Frye.
"She is wonderful to work with," said Schirado. "I think she knows everything and everyone in Rockford. She works tirelessly at the museum helping people find out about their ancestors and Rockford's past."
Schirado also pointed to Terry Konkle, the society's current president, as being a huge help in the process. Konkle's knowledge of Rockford is also astounding, a walking file cabinet of facts, who also has an impressive collection of memorabilia at his fingertips.
The author loved her journey through Rockford's past and points to a few facts that surprised her. One being that at one time Rockford boasted three hotels. Also intriguing to her was the Hessler building and how many actual businesses were conducted out of the one storefront. Another key surprise was how many times the Star Theater moved up and down Main Street.
Schirado is pleased with the story her book tells. "The last one that was done was in the 1960s by Homer Burch," she said. "There were pictures in it, but they were small and hard to see. We just wanted to preserve what we have."
It is easy to see why. Just looking at the pictures of Rockford's past compared to the current downtown landscape is intriguing and a tad disheartening. If the photographs hadn't captured the view, the current residents would have no clue about the people and industries that built it from dirt and lumber.
"You never know when something might not be there anymore," said Schirado.
The conclusion of the production of the book was bittersweet for Schirado.
"I am happy it (the book) is done," she said. "But it did make me sad, too. The photos in the book of the tannery are now history."
Schirado has plans to launch a Web site she is constructing www.thewrite generation.com, in the near future. She will also be in downtown Rockford to autograph copies of the book during the month of September and during Heritage Weekend (Oct. 3-4) of Harvest Festival.
Title: Indy launches historical series
Author: Jeannie Gregory
Publisher: Rockford Independent
Date: 9/1/09
Rockford's history is steeped in so many wonderful stories. It is tantalizing to take a step back in time and see how a little village grew into the wonderful city it is today. Sure, Rockford has grown through the years, but it has maintained its charm through hundreds of years of change. It is one of the reasons people select this fair city to take up permanent residence.
The Rockford Area Historical Society has worked hard to save and preserve that history for generations to come. The staff of the historical museum has a wealth of information in a building that was once the power station for Rockford. They have been a huge help in our research and deserve a huge thank you.
I have lived here almost my entire life and have my own memories of the city in those almost 50 years. I remember going over the hump-back bridge on Childsdale, the one lane only allowing a lone vehicle to traverse its span. One would have to stop and honk before proceeding over the bridge - making sure that you wouldn't meet another car in the middle.
I can also recall walking along the railroad tracks between Belmont and the city to get to town. I often wonder how many who traverse the gorgeous Frederik Meijer White Pine Trail know that it was the Grand Rapids Indiana railway they are exercising on.
I remember when The Corner Bar hotdogs were called Hydes hotdogs and when I went to school the sixth grade was housed in what is now the RPS Administration Building.
It is funny those who have been around a while (and I don't even begin to compete with our historians in memories) call things by their old names and we know what people are talking about. I could say Jorgenson's Standard and I know that people of my generation and earlier will know exactly what current business I am talking about.
When the staff at the Indy started talking about producing a historical series we became excited. I must admit it is a labor of love for all of us. Four of us have been working diligently to try to capture Rockford's past in a series of articles meant to help our readers know our fair city's storied past.
What we have learned so far has been astounding. So many interesting stories have grown out of a sole assignment, and our series continues to grow. We have read, researched, interviewed and researched more to bring you these stories.
We want to make sure that our readers know about the people, industries, and disasters that fashioned Rockford into the city it is today.
It was a wonderful coincidence when "Rockford" Arcadia Publishing's latest Images of America release was delivered to the Indy office the last week of July. It was wonderful to kick off the series talking to the author, Roberta Schirado, and using her tribute to Rockford to start the Indy's journey into the past.
You are part of that history. We would love to hear your feedback to these articles. Perhaps you have something to add to a particular article in the Indy. Perhaps you have a cherished memory that adds to the series. Please, feel free to write us at jgregory@staffordgroup.com and express your thoughts.
Enjoy.
