Born in Rockford in 1951. Mom born there in 1916. What a great place to be a kid and grow up during the 50s and 60s. A most vibrant downtown, especially during the holiday season. Fond memories of regular shopping excursions with Mom that included Dr appts, bill paying, school supply buying, sporting goods, hobby stores, record stores (45s), clothes, KarmelKorn, and on and on as well as movies with friends at the Times, Coronado, Midway, and State theaters.
I grew up here in Rockford use to live near this area during there drive around Way back when this use to be a very beautiful neighborhood now you don’t want to go out at night
And it’s cool seeing the old Metrocenter. I remember when the Rolling Stones played there, but you could only get tickets through a newspaper contest. my stepsister won two tickets but my dad made her sell them so they could get the money. My friend Vicki and I tried sneaking into the theater but we didn’t want to wait that long. It’s funny that the Go-Go opened for them. I remember reading Belinda Carlisle‘s book and she talked about the first, big show they ever did was in Rockford at the metro Center. And thank you again for your videos. It’s so cool strolling down memory lane. I’ve lived in California for the past 30 years. So it’s nice to see what Rockford looks like today.
In the '80s, I lived in Rockford. Downtown was then a veritable eyesore and ghost town. Although the downtown has since improved, I hope that current city leaders and planners intend to increase density and fill in the ubiquitous parking lots. On a Monday afternoon, the city center should teem with people and activity. Watching from the Netherlands where city centers thrive, I would suggest that representatives from Rockford come to the Netherlands to learn how to replicate the "Dutch magic."
As someone whos lived here forever this video made me realize what a short drive around downtown is once you cut out being stuck on red lights comig up state.
It’s so crazy to see the times theater in the Midway still have the marquis. I remember there was a fire at the Midway and they were playing Caddyshack and for almost 20 years Caddyshack stayed on that Marquee. They re-opened it and I saw educating Rita there. And then I think it closed again. I used to see lots of movies at the Times theater I remember seeing, the beast within, and the best little whorehouse in Texas there.
Rockford has changed quite a bit as far as living there goes...well that can be said for all places....but to spend a day there driving around it,s still nice.😉
Born in 68 In Rockford....Great hard working city in the 70s..........I at worked at Elco 4 many yrs....gladly left in 95.....went back in 2019 ......and my home town is a dump........so sad to see........so much potential.....so much lack of leadership................your living the Titanic.....gl.....
My once proud city of manufacturing furniture, screws, time keeping watches, and the companies that made machines that make machines is gone...... ie Ingersoll ......you guys should of hired me in 1988......get out ppl....gl......
I think you need to redo this one in the dead of winter when the trees and lawns are all bare. Pretty hard to peddle urban blight on a pretty spring day, isn't it? You're looking nice, Rockford.
It looks dead. Are there any cute or fun areas? Love the cute historical homes but the rest looks kinda lame. Maybe it’ll gentrify a bit and people will start moving there.
It's not abandoned at all, and you wouldn't want to drive around there after midnight if you're not supposed to be there. I grew up on Willard and School St. in the 70s, it's crime ridden, but it's not abandoned.
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Born in Rockford in 1951. Mom born there in 1916. What a great place to be a kid and grow up during the 50s and 60s. A most vibrant downtown, especially during the holiday season. Fond memories of regular shopping excursions with Mom that included Dr appts, bill paying, school supply buying, sporting goods, hobby stores, record stores (45s), clothes, KarmelKorn, and on and on as well as movies with friends at the Times, Coronado, Midway, and State theaters.
I grew up here in Rockford use to live near this area during there drive around Way back when this use to be a very beautiful neighborhood now you don’t want to go out at night
Me too
And it’s cool seeing the old Metrocenter. I remember when the Rolling Stones played there, but you could only get tickets through a newspaper contest. my stepsister won two tickets but my dad made her sell them so they could get the money. My friend Vicki and I tried sneaking into the theater but we didn’t want to wait that long. It’s funny that the Go-Go opened for them. I remember reading Belinda Carlisle‘s book and she talked about the first, big show they ever did was in Rockford at the metro Center. And thank you again for your videos. It’s so cool strolling down memory lane. I’ve lived in California for the past 30 years. So it’s nice to see what Rockford looks like today.
Great memories, huh?!
I saw Van Halen right around 1980 at the Metro Center.
Cheers, from Alaska!
Rockford, my hometown.
Nicely done, thanks.
You're welcome
Great vid. From one explorer to another. You captured a lot of the visual story with Rockford, and acknowledged there is more not seen
Thank you sir!
In the '80s, I lived in Rockford. Downtown was then a veritable eyesore and ghost town. Although the downtown has since improved, I hope that current city leaders and planners intend to increase density and fill in the ubiquitous parking lots. On a Monday afternoon, the city center should teem with people and activity. Watching from the Netherlands where city centers thrive, I would suggest that representatives from Rockford come to the Netherlands to learn how to replicate the "Dutch magic."
Can you do a video from 7th and state down to 7th and broadway ?? And this was a good video and good job 👍 I really enjoyed the video ❤️❤️
If I ever find myself in Rockford again, sure! Unfortunately it's 3 hours from my house.
@@exploreusacities well thankyou for coming thru Rockford nice video 👍❤️
Home ❤ . In Colorado now; but I do miss it.. sometimes… not in the winter though, 😂
As someone whos lived here forever this video made me realize what a short drive around downtown is once you cut out being stuck on red lights comig up state.
what was downtown like back in the day? I can imagine that it was pretty great
Born and raised at Harrison and Alpine. This will always be home...
@@docilemania I use to live on Colorado Ave
It’s so crazy to see the times theater in the Midway still have the marquis. I remember there was a fire at the Midway and they were playing Caddyshack and for almost 20 years Caddyshack stayed on that Marquee. They re-opened it and I saw educating Rita there. And then I think it closed again. I used to see lots of movies at the Times theater I remember seeing, the beast within, and the best little whorehouse in Texas there.
Saw Pollyanna at the Midway in 1960 with my grandmother.
Hello from Milwaukee!
Rockford has changed quite a bit as far as living there goes...well that can be said for all places....but to spend a day there driving around it,s still nice.😉
This video is a little unfair to Rockford, as it's a very large and wide place. I drove around downtown, which has been abandoned for decades.
@@exploreusacities Not really. The facts are the facts.
Give Rockford a break it just needs some love it’s not a bad town but everyone has there own opinion
Rockford is a nice town ❤
@@kennybartlett6887 I used to participate in bowling tournaments in Rockford all the time when I was a kid. Is Rockford still a big bowling town?
Rockford is nice and the surrounding area as well ❤❤
not the property taxes
Was this recorded during the pandemic? Or are the roads always that empty?
I would assume downtown is mostly dead
It's probably Sunday morning, it's not dead at all stop with the overdramatic bullshit 🤣
Yep, ppl know not to walk outside anymore.
@@56cadddaaam that’s crazy
I was thinking the same. Where are the people? I am from a small town in Norway
Born in 68 In Rockford....Great hard working city in the 70s..........I at worked at Elco 4 many yrs....gladly left in 95.....went back in 2019 ......and my home town is a dump........so sad to see........so much potential.....so much lack of leadership................your living the Titanic.....gl.....
Thank you for leaving Mark , funny you didn’t mention why you left tho . Keep running from your problems ,trumpers always do 🤣✌️🐑
My once proud city of manufacturing furniture, screws, time keeping watches, and the companies that made machines that make machines is gone...... ie Ingersoll ......you guys should of hired me in 1988......get out ppl....gl......
Beautiful!
I have a great idea about turning your videos into art.
I am interested, tell me more
around here we call it rock bottom
that's mean! 😆
He filmed this early...Born and raised there
I think you need to redo this one in the dead of winter when the trees and lawns are all bare. Pretty hard to peddle urban blight on a pretty spring day, isn't it? You're looking nice, Rockford.
Your username made this comment so much better, as I read it in the voice of Ron Swanson. It is probably something he would say too.
Home of the band, Cheap Trick!
I modeled for a band members daughter, she did advertising.. ❤
My cousins use to live in Beloit and close to Rockford did you know there was a zoo in Rockford
do they have a panda? did you know all pandas on Earth belong to the Chinese government? how crazy is that
Not a single soul on them sidewalks.
need for speed most wanted city
It looks dead. Are there any cute or fun areas? Love the cute historical homes but the rest looks kinda lame. Maybe it’ll gentrify a bit and people will start moving there.
Yes, it's a big city - I basically only filmed the abandoned part
It's not abandoned at all, and you wouldn't want to drive around there after midnight if you're not supposed to be there. I grew up on Willard and School St. in the 70s, it's crime ridden, but it's not abandoned.
Its a dying dump.
Tell me how you really feel
Years of liberal leadership hasn’t helped this otherwise beautiful city with plenty of potential.