Rochelle

By Carol Hegberg

The Lincoln Highway through Rochelle was originally a Potawatomi Indian trail. In 1853, Robert P. Lane purchased land from Charlotte Bartholomew, Sheldon Bartholomew's widow, near the settlement known as Hickory Grove, and the community became officially known as Lane. After a hanging scandal, the citizens renamed their village Rochelle. From then, the town grew to the largest city in Ogle County. Rochelle's famous railroad park and the diamond (crossing of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad) attract visitors throughout the year. The park's tourist center is located in a refurbished Standard Oil gas station. The Flagg Township Historical Museum offers times gone by in many forms in the 1884 city hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Rochelle offers suburban amenities with the healthy atmosphere of the small town where actress Joan Allen grew up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Sep 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781439633236

Carol Hegberg

Carol Hegberg is an internationally published, award-winning writer and editor. She has edited over 20 published books. Her novel is entitled Pen Pals. Her poetry, scripts, short stories, and articles have been published in many magazines and books.

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inhabitants.

One

THE LOBLOLLIES

Known originally as Hickory Grove, Rochelle accrued the nickname of Loblolly Grove. A loblolly was a Southern term for someone who lived around wetlands. Loblolly pines grew best in poor surface drainage soil, such as on the terraces of rivers like Kyte Creek. So the Hickory Grove settlers became known as loblollies.

Loblolly pines are sturdy pioneer trees. Their seeds feed animals, birds, and wild turkeys. Woodpeckers live in their cavities. Hickory Grove became world-known for its bird hunting. Prince Albert of the United Kingdom is said to have hunted there. Loblolly pines were a preview of the people who would create the strong, enjoyable town of Lane.

In 1838, Willard Flagg and the Sheldon Bartholomew family purchased the John Randall property for $1,500. Flagg took the land south of the river, married Lucy Lake in July 1839, and built the second home in Hickory Grove. Flagg Township is named after him.

The first permanent bridge—Rathbun Bridge—recorded in Flagg Township was built around 1850 across Kyte Creek, possibly after Benjamin Rathbun. The Methodist Church records mention baptisms near the bridge in 1860.

Robert Lane, Thomas Robertson, and Gilbert Palmer purchased land from Charlotte Bartholomew, Sheldon Bartholomew’s widow. Part of the land was laid out for the village of Lane to honor Robert Lane.

Isaac Ross built the first house in Lane in 1853. David B. Stiles put up the first building for general merchandise and was the first postmaster. Miranda Weeks was the first school teacher; John Bird, the first blacksmith. Bruin Walker managed the first grocery and supply store. Thornton Beatty created the first lumber yard, and George Turkington and M. Ellinwood were the hardware men. Delos Baxter pioneered harness making while starting another hotel and being involved in many city projects. Hinckley Whitman established the first bank. The Lane Leader went to press for the first time in 1858.

The Lane Hotel was built the summer of 1853 by Horace Coon. The two original sections of the hotel were removed in 1872 and 1893 and moved west on Second Avenue. In 1890, Delos Baxter purchased the Lane Hotel and completely redecorated the interior. Hotel Delos was known as the traveling man’s center for all the small surrounding towns. J. E. Barber was the manager. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

Employees stand in front of the Budlong and Miller Brewery at First Avenue and Seventh Street. During the 1860s and 1870s, a young boy’s job was to roll a beer barrel down and back up the long hill near the brewery. During that time and distance, the keg’s liquid lining would evenly distribute for no leakages. The job paid a nickel to a dime per day. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

In 1837, the first white settlers in Hickory Grove were John Randall, his wife, their six sons (George, John P., James, William, Ira, and Wesley), and their three daughters (Sarah, Margaret, and Mahala). They built their log cabin on the north side of Kyte Creek, on today’s South Main Street. John P. Randall poses among his sons. From left to right are (first row) Osbourne, John P., and Frederick; (second row) Orrin and William. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

In the late 1870s, Ross Boyle (left), David Navarro Sr. (center), and William Halsey Sr. stand in front of the first factory building. William Edward Wade’s woodwork shop was located on Lincoln Avenue’s south side and produced wood pumps. Navarro was a 30-year-old bachelor in 1851 when he traveled from New York City to homestead on today’s Koritz Field of Rochelle Airport. In his diary, he noted seeing and hearing many wolves. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

In this image Cherry Street celebrates in 1878. Lane had several fires in 1861. One destroyed the west-side Washington Street buildings—today’s 300 block of the Lincoln Highway—and another, a grain elevator. Thomas Burke was arrested. During a trial recess, men seized Burke, tied a rope around his neck, and tossed him out a third-floor window on the corner building seen in the photograph. His body hung in the rain for three hours. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

Because of the incident on Cherry Street, seen here in the late 1800s, Lane became known as Hangman’s Town. John R. Howlett established the Lane Leader in October 1858 and published a special edition on the hanging on June 20, 1861. Prominent citizens went to trial for the murder but were found not guilty. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

After the hanging, Lane’s growth stagnated. Someone noticed a Rochelle Salts (laxative) bottle on the shelf and suggested the town needed a good cleaning out. Joseph Parker’s obituary credited him for the name’s choice, though an alternative reason was after a Frenchman. In 1866, the Illinois General Assembly changed the name to Rochelle. On April 10, 1872, the citizens elected its village’s name to be Rochelle. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

The Colonel May Warehouse in 1872 was located on the west side of Washington Street. Notice the location of the American Merchants Union Express Company. Next door stood the Marble Works, which was operated by Billy Bell. The next house belonged to Si May and was removed for the construction of a theater. (Courtesy of FTHM.)

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