Midway Village

Midway Village is found in Rockford Illinois. This was the "nickname" for Rockford in its early years until the formal name was realized due to its rock river crossing (Rockford).

This recreated village was  built in the mid 1970's to reflect life as it existed in the area from 1880 to 1910.

There is a nicely done museum, various period correct buildings and a great interpreter who gave a history of each.

Entrance to museum

I've read about wild fire spread measured in chains, but this is the first I'd seen of that survey measuring tool

Learned that Rockford is the home to the 'Sock Monkey"

Learned that the sock monkey had a considerable patent fight over the rights to manufacture them - who knew...

Machine used to make seamless socks

Entrance to the grounds

Ed, our interpreter

The General Store

The General Store also served as the Post Office

Ribbon and fabric were purchased here

Cheese cutter for taking slices off a wheel of cheese

Flycatchers - hole in the bottom allowed flies a way in but not out

Hardware Store

Well stocked with supplies

1880's home and barn

This stove and oven was sized to be easily carried in wagons and assembled. Many of these were removed from the kitchen in the summer due to the head generated and used outside in hot weather and moved back in for the winter.

Style and amount of china was a sign of status

A Heritage garden is maintained by volunteers to reflect typical plantings of the period. It is in front of a typical barn

Barn roof was water tight, but sides allowed air flow

Hay lofts

Heritage Garden

Fire Station

Equipment was pulled by human power

Hose cart

1910 home

The parlor - Weddings and Funerals took place here, not in churches. As such doors were arranged to allow passage of a casket .

Hospital

Apothecary - Bottles were stocked when town was created, but some compounds become dangerous as they aged. Now kept empty after bomb squad had to dispose of some selections.

Ed left us with stories of the paranormal events recorded in their church which was moved there from its original location.