Page 21

PIJBLISHED) BY 1ELOTT D)ATTY N B ~V)A                21
Rockford, Beloit &
Janesville Interur-
ban Railway. YXfr2&
The Rockford Lines owe their or-
- igin to the horse car line built in
1882 extending from Charles and
Seventh streets to South Main and
Montague   streets, and  north  on
Church street to John street, with
four ears in operation.  The com-
pany dragged along in a rather pre-
carious sort of existence, surmount-
ed difficulties and overcame obsta-
cles until 1889, when E'ectric power
supplanted the faithful mule. Steady
improvements were made in equip-
ment and extensions carefu'ly plan-
ned and executed.
Rockford now has the most up-to-
date street car line of any city of its
size in the country.  The Belvidere
line was built and placed in opera-
tion in 1901. In 1904 the Freeport
line was opened.  In August, 1904,
the Rockford, Beloit and Janesville
Railroad was completed from Janes-
vi le to Rockford, and operated as a
separate company until April, 1906,
when the line was take nover by the
Rockford  &   Interurban  Railway
Company, making the present Rock-
ford system with over one hundred
miles of track and serving a popu-
lation of approximately 200,000 peo-
ple.
Gives hourly service between the
following cities and towns:  Rock-
ford, Roscoe, Rockton, Beloit, Janes-
ville, Belvidere, Cherry Valley, El-
gin, Winnebago, Pecatonica, Ridott,
Freeport. with direct hourly connec-
tions for Elgin, Aurora, Joliet and
4-t
#1
A
Y
ALO J NrG THE LINE BETWEENl.EIA)1TrA J I
cities and towns to secure supplies
fresh from the markets of the larger
cities as well as to dispose of all pro-
ducts to the best advantage.
The United States Express com-
pany operates over the lines of this
company with through service be-
For the benefit of parties desiring
to take pleasure trips through the
surrounding country, too much can-
not be said of the scenic beauty of
the Rockford Lines. In fact, it would
be necessary to travel many hun-
dreds of miles to find natural seen-
division, and Washington park on
the Belvidere division  These parks
are well equipped and afford ample
opportunity for the entertainment of
picnic and outing parties.
The City lines of Rockford operat-
ed by this company have been care-
I? tta~r'-'rw~
r          ~
-4 - -.-               -      4.        -           - -4-    -.   :3
a     -                                 -          - - - -
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Chicago.  In addition to which two
limited trains to Chicago leave Rock-
ford daily at 7:30 a. m. and 4:30
p. m.
Fast express and freight service is
operated over all these lines, giving
two express cars daily to all points,
enabling the people of the different
tween Janesville, Beloit, Rockford,
and Chicago, calling for and deliver-
ing express at the usual rates. This
company also has special arrange-
ments for calling for and delivering
baggage, charging rates for the same
which, in most cases, are lower than
the transfer charges would be.
ery more beautiful than that of the
Rock River Valley between Rockford
and Janesville.
A number of parks are operated in
connection with this system, includ-
ing Harlem and Love's park at
Rockford; Ho-no-ne-gah and Yost
parks, on the Beloit and Janesville
fully planned and laid out to cover
the entire business and residence
portions of the city and all points of
interest.
The company offers special rates
to churches, Sunday schools, lodges
and clubs, and special service and
attention are given to this branch of
the business.
SCENE ALONG IROCKFORD, IElOiT & JANESVILLE HAl IAAY NEAR BELOIT.
The company employs
over two hundred people
and has an annual pay
roll of over $200,000.00,
and, with over 100 cars,
makes ample equipment
for the handling of large
crowds.
During the period of
extension a number of re-
organizations and consoli-
The present owners cm
dations have taken place,
the present owners being
a syndicate of eastern
capitalists who acquired
this property last June.
This syndicate is  a
large operator of Electric
properties throughout the
country and has planned
numerous extensions and
improvements  for  the
Rockford and Interurban
Lines.
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