A large crowd turned out for the ceremony.
They are the names you have seen and heard around Rockford as long as you’ve lived here: Kitson, Myers, Krause, Briggs, Blakeslee.
On Tuesday, May 12, the people behind the names were recognized for their role in the history of this community. The Rockford Area Community Endowment had a public ceremony adding the names to the display at Peppler Park at the dam.
Clarence Blakeslee, right and family.
Gerald Leon Kitson, William H. Myers Sr., Otto Krause, Wendall and Donna Briggs and Clarence Blakeslee were those chosen by member communities of the endowment. Honorees from the City of Rockford and the townships of Algoma, Cannon, Courtland and Plainfield were chosen for the lasting, historic difference they have made in the community, as well as for their character.
The Endowment was initially formed in the 1960s to finance a school pool and the Towers downtown. It fell dormant after those goals were accomplished and was revived just a few years ago. Among activities of the endowment is honoring community heros and leaders.
Read future issues of the Squire to find out more about each of the honorees.
Comments by our Readers