The swift flowing Rock River spearates the cities of Sterling and Rock Falls in its unplanned course directed by nature itself, forming the winding path which leds to its terminus with the great Mississippi River at Rock Island.

The Rock River may have been one of the reasons the early settlers in the area chose the sites along the scenic banks of the "The Rock" in wich to establish their settlements with the intention of using the river as a source of transportation and later, to harness the rapids to produce the power necessary for industrial development.

Even before the settlers arrived in the Sterling-Rock Falls area, the Rock River provided the local Indians a means of transportation and a valuable source of their food supply.

Keokuk, the famed leader of the Black Hawk War and a member of the Fox clan, was born on the Rock River around 1780. Keokuk's long time rival, Black Hawk, was also born on the Rock River at its mouth around the year 1767. His last speech contained the following pathetic words; "Rock river is a beautiful country. I like my towns and my corn fields, and the home of my people. I fought for it. Now it is yours."

While most of the benefits of the Rock River were on the plus side, history records some problems caused by the river including flooding and ice jams, several of which washed away entire bridges and due partially to manmade dams which failed to hold. One of the earlier problems of the river to the settlers of Sterling and Rapids City (now Rock Falls), was that of crossing the swift flowing river itself. The problem was first solved by fording the river in several places and in winter, theis problem was eliminated when the ice was sufficient to permit passage by area residents.

Out of necessity, the creative ability of the the residents resulted in the establishment of ferry boat systems and finally the construction of bridges across the river to provide a safe crossing for residents and freight alike.

Hezekiah Brink, founder of Sterling, seemed to be a handy man in the early days of Sterling and he was the operator of the first ferry boat linking the two cities. This was during theyears 1839 and 1840 and Brink's ferry system was at the foot of Broadway or just above it. Old man winter caused the freezing of the river in winter and partially solved the crossing problem and also afforded some winter sports.

Early records indicate and credit Captain Daniel Smith Harris as the first man to navigate the Rock River to Sterling and vicinity. Capt. Harris was followed in the year 1840 by the steamer "Gypsy" which proceded up the river as far as Janesville, Wis.

John Mason of Sterling was the pilot of the "Gypsy" and the major problem was getting the steamer through the rapids. On her return trip, "Gypsy" landed at Harrisburg and unloaded her entire cargo and even a part of the flooring on the upper deck to insure a safe passage due to the drop in the water level at that time. The goods from the "Gypsy" were hauled to the local bank and transported then by horse team as far as Avenue B in Sterling, where they were reloaded on the steamer.

The very next season, a flatboat came up the Rock River and did not fare as well. The flatboat came as far as the "rapids" and an effort was made to pole the craft through, without success. The craft became hopelessly stuck and resulted in selling her cargo of whiskey, sugar, tea, coffee and others was sold to area residents.

Just a year or so before in 1839, an appropriation had been made under the internal improvement act of the Illinois General Assembly to build a canal around the "Rock River rapids" on the Rock Falls side of the river so steamboats and other craft might continue on, at least as far as the City of Dixon. The proposed canal went down in the economic crash which followed, blamed on the extravagant and reckless system of state finance.

Not to be deterred, local residents petitioned the state legislature to pass an act for the improvement of the Rock River under which a tax could be levied for the purpose. The General Assembly complied with the local wishes and on Feb. 25, 1845, passed: "An Act for the improvements of the navigation of the Rock River," under the provisions of which the County Commissioners of the counties lying along the river were authorized to levy a tax in their respective counties to secure the removal of all obstructions from the rapids (from which Rock Falls took its name later, the original name was Rapids City), at Sterling to the mouth of the river and the work to be done under the supervision of the board of commissioners.

The board of commissioners appointed John Dixon, president and made a thorough investigation and report on Dec. 6, 1947 as follows:

The contract, made with Thomas McCabe, to excavate a channel through the rapids at Sterling, having been given up by him, the board employed William Pollack, one of the members to superintend the work on said rapids with authority to empower the necessary workmen and procure the necessary tools and equipment."

The board appropriated $452.53 for the services of Pollack.

On Dec. 28, 1848, the board met and made a second report and during the meeting appropriated $80.50 for the removal of rock from the river. This was to be the last meeting of the board which probably soon afterwards disbanded.

Meanwhile the hope of river navigation was continued for several years and spasmodic attempts were made to bring boats here, but the idea was finally abandoned except for a few and with the coming of the railroad, the idea was given up entirely.

Boating for pleasure and sporting events has been popular on the Rock River since the time Captain Harris landed his steamboat here in 1839. A.P. Smith, the founder of the City of Rock Falls was the owner of the first large pleasure boat locally.

The first boat club consisted of about 12 or more young men pooled their resources and bought "The Belle of the Isle." This was a large row boat with four or six pairs of oars and for several years was used to transport parties on river excrusions, picnics, etc. It also carried a large sail at times and its owners enjoyed many sailing trips both up and down the Rock River.

Later came the steam launches and a new trend of water pleasure was added to the earlier history. One of the most pretentious of these steam launches was the "Neptune", a 40-foot boat owned by L.C. Thorne and Harry Hubbard. The "Neptune" was shipped to Rock Falls on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, shipped to a siding nearest the river, a long skid was built from the river to the railroad track and the boat was unloaded in this manner. The skid was more than 100 feet long and extended from a railroad track to the river at a point above the First Avenue bridge. The "Neptune" was operated for several years and carried many parties up the river making the trip to Dixon and return.

Another old boat on the Rock River in the early days was the "Mascot" built by two brothers, John and B.P. "Pikey" Werntz.

During the summer of 1894, a gay, beautiful and spectacular boat parade was held on the Rock River. The parade was credited to the genius and interest of Albert Breiding, Sr., of Sterling. Breiding was a young man at the time learning the mechanics trade and he built a steam engine and a boiler. Some time later with the assistance of his brother Walter, they built the steam boat named "Anna B" after Albert Breiding's wife. The "Anna" was 23 and one-half feet long, six feet in width and had a capacity of 32 passengers. The engine and boiler were installed at midships and she carried a colored-canvas top.

During the boat parade in1894, the Breiding's "Anna B" picked up and pulled 35 small boats. The trip was up to the rapids which is now the Government Dam. At the rapids, a turn was made and the long string of gaily decorated craft behing was pulled back downstream and a figure "8" was made in the river by the boat's route.

Another notable outing of the "Anna B" was when the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA held an overnight trip to Big Island and the men and boys making the cruise spent the night in a cabin on the island. In addition , during the history of the "Anna B" the steamer was used to carry many Sunday school classes on their picnics up the river to Big Island where the picnic camps were held.

The Breiding brothers traded the "Anna B" to Chris Burkeholder of Sterling for a horse and buggy and a lot on 14th Avenue in Sterling. Walter chose the horse and buggy as his part of the trade agreement while his brother Albert took the lot on 14th Avenue. After the trade was made, Burkholder changed the name of the craft to the "Alice B".

The boat was apparnetly dismantled at a later date and the Breiding steam engine was used to grind grain for awhile. It si currently owned by Ralph Wareheime of 1401 2nd Ave. Sterling.

The old steam-driven boats were doomed after the advent of the gas engines which made new types of boats available and a new era of boating was to make the scene on the Rock River. It was just a short time after the Chicago World's Fair in the early 1930's the gas driven pleasure boats appeared on the Rock River in the local area.

Among the first to own and operate the new gas powered boats were J.W. McDonald and James S. Greenough. A few of the well remembered launches was Heaton Bressler's "Summer Girl," Harry Hubbard's "Ada H" and Frank Oppold's "Bill of Expense." In the early 1930's there were boat houses along the river bank between the bridges where the Lawrence Bros. factory now stands, a cluster at the foot of Fourth Avenue, more at the foot of 13th and 14th Avenues and even further upstream.

Sail boats were popular on the Rock River for some time and the best sailing waters were above the Government dam and into the large body called "Sinnissippi Lake." In the early days, sail boating required experienced operators and many upsets were recorded andthe blame was placed on the high river banks which cut off the river breeze and caused gusting winds.

Even today (1976), the Rock River provides a welcome retreat for area boating enthusiasts who frequent the river turns and passages in canoes, kayaks, sailboat, house boats and the very popular and speedy pleasure boats called "run-abouts."

Three large marinas now store boats and provide necessary services including the Shore Acres Marina at ROck Falls; The Harry Oppold Marina operated by the Sterling Park District and Sorenson's Marina located at Moonlight Bay between Sterling and Dixon.

Each year the usage of the "The Rock" seems to be increasing and adding more pages to its already important and colorful history. Along with the usage of the Rock River is the ironic comparison of earlier days when angry residents were forced to wade the river in order to make a crossing, with the present day flotilla of speed boats which carry four or more passengers easily at speeds up to 40 and 50 milesper hour and to each grouping, it was a sign of progress.

Sterling Daily Gazette July 2, 1976