I thought you were speeding like crazy then realized the video is sped up. My grandma lived on the 7th floor when it was Tebala Tower on the state street cupola side overlooking midway. I used to sit in the windowsill and people watch on Saturday nights. Very cool building!
I was speeding, wasn't I. I like watching this video. I don't get a chance to watch some of my own stuff. I'm really enjoying this. I watch this video and think - things sure have changed since 1929. Rockford was a booming industrial town at that time. Now there is a lot of crime there. Drugs, prostitution, theft, murder, etc. A lot more than there was in 1929. Here is something I failed to mention in the video. John F. Kennedy stayed at this hotel in the month of October, 1960. During his presidential campaign against Richard Nixon. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate your support. And have a nice weekend.
I've been in there since an friend's dad lived in the building back in 2004. Also where you are standing is the site of the former Inn Town Hotel that was next to The Midway.
Same here Shanos. We use to pass this building every single day. I still have never been inside it though. Maybe some day. Until then Shanos… you have yourself a very nice day.
I like that you can still see the beautiful first floor limestone and glazed terracotta façade in the back ... it was replaced in the sixties with the hideous brown first floor stonework we still see today on most of the first floor
@@merrishon Wow, what a coincidence. My father lived in the building, back in the 1970s, across the street. Back then it was called Rock River Towers. I'll never forget looking out of those big windows, at all of the traffic below. And, of course, views of the beautiful Rock River.
It was named after Levin Faust who had his fingers in many of Rockford's most successful industrial companies including Sundstrand and National Lock and was one of the organizers of the Rockford Park District. While being built as Midway Hotel, by the time it opened it had undergone a name change to reflect its builder's name: The Faust Hotel. It was an elegant place through the Sixties then began a long, slow, painful decline in the Seventies until today ... not unlike the long, slow, painful decline of the once beautiful town that surrounds it.
@@killroyjohnson1256 hello again - yes, it is still open and used for low income senior housing by the State of Illinois. This building has good bones, but it would cost millions to return it to its former glory and the run down neighborhood it's in no longer requires a hotel of that size (or any size, to be honest) so it will probably never happen. I remember going to dances there in high school - they had a junior ballroom and a grand ballroom with permanent bandstands for orchestras - it was an elegant place!
Yes Paul. I do believe it is now used for low income housing. President Kennedy once stayed at the Faust Hotel. I think that's pretty cool. Take care of yourself and have a nice day.
Factory and industry graveyard. Town is full of tragic loss for my family. We left in mid nineties. Dads factory went on strike. Mostly only go home for funerals it seems. Town is bitter sweet home for countless memories.
Awesome video. Complementary music. You do a great job editing also. Thanks for the ride! Did you know also that when Governor Otto Kerner went to jail for corruption in 1969, he was CONVICTED of his crimes by the evidence and testimony of the Faust Hotel building manager, who acted as the bagman for the jailbird Gov'na. What was the cash for? Political bribes, drug money, etc.
i live not far from here.Hauted ballroom on very top. no one is allowed up there. its all blocked off . the guy who owns the Midway theater is always in court. He never pays his fines for violations on the place. City might end up with it. If so, it will be turned into a parking lot. shame.
I'm from Rockford but left I the 70s.... My mom lived there til she passed in 2003. I still have relatives there and visit at times. I have a question for you. Why did t you video inside the building. Rockford is becoming a sad place but was once a Very nice place to live and raise children. Your property taxes are TOO high for the cost of the homes and very little industry there anymore. I'm disappointed in the city in 2018 as compared to 1960.
I did not have permission to film inside the building. And it is no longer a hotel. It is a private apartment building. Thank you for watching, and have a happy Easter my friend. I am as disappointed with Rockford's city leaders as you are!
@@Marcel_Audubon So basically its a filthy rotten cesspool of freeloaders living off the government. Yeah, that sounds about right, especially since we're talking about RockTurds finest. Smh 🤦♂️
I did not know I'm from chicago I just seen your comment I thought is was a free liveing shelter for street bums lol all I see out there around that building is drug junkies and Alcoholic bums. 😅lol I feel sorry for the building. To Many lazy bums liveing in that building 😮
I thought you were speeding like crazy then realized the video is sped up. My grandma lived on the 7th floor when it was Tebala Tower on the state street cupola side overlooking midway. I used to sit in the windowsill and people watch on Saturday nights. Very cool building!
Bus from O'Hare heading west used to make a stop there (and the clock tower inn) when I was in the service.
Good video, David. That is a huge hotel for a city the size of Rockford back in 1929. P.S. You're speeding, David.
I was speeding, wasn't I. I like watching this video. I don't get a chance to watch some of my own stuff. I'm really enjoying this. I watch this video and think - things sure have changed since 1929. Rockford was a booming industrial town at that time. Now there is a lot of crime there. Drugs, prostitution, theft, murder, etc. A lot more than there was in 1929. Here is something I failed to mention in the video. John F. Kennedy stayed at this hotel in the month of October, 1960. During his presidential campaign against Richard Nixon. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate your support. And have a nice weekend.
I've been in there since an friend's dad lived in the building back in 2004. Also where you are standing is the site of the former Inn Town Hotel that was next to The Midway.
I've always seen this building while riding in the car with my parents when I was little, but never really got a close look at it. it looks nice!
Same here Shanos. We use to pass this building every single day. I still have never been inside it though. Maybe some day. Until then Shanos… you have yourself a very nice day.
@@TheMrdavidlangley you too!
I like that you can still see the beautiful first floor limestone and glazed terracotta façade in the back ... it was replaced in the sixties with the hideous brown first floor stonework we still see today on most of the first floor
Thanks for watching. Merry Christmas!
Would loved to have taken a ride on the elevator and seen what one of the empty apartments looked like and the view from the window
Yeah, me too. I would love to get a view of the city from up there. Thanks for watching and have yourself a very nice weekend.
I live in the Skyrise Apartments...Quite a fantastic river view from the open 14th floor deck as well...especially at night 😍
@@merrishon Wow, what a coincidence. My father lived in the building, back in the 1970s, across the street. Back then it was called Rock River Towers. I'll never forget looking out of those big windows, at all of the traffic below. And, of course, views of the beautiful Rock River.
@@TheMrdavidlangley Its still called Rock River Towers...they are in the process now of making the building white
It was named after Levin Faust who had his fingers in many of Rockford's most successful industrial companies including Sundstrand and National Lock and was one of the organizers of the Rockford Park District. While being built as Midway Hotel, by the time it opened it had undergone a name change to reflect its builder's name: The Faust Hotel. It was an elegant place through the Sixties then began a long, slow, painful decline in the Seventies until today ... not unlike the long, slow, painful decline of the once beautiful town that surrounds it.
p.s. glad to see they demolished that nasty motel across the street!
Amen, brother!
What's in it now??? Is it still open?
@@killroyjohnson1256 hello again - yes, it is still open and used for low income senior housing by the State of Illinois. This building has good bones, but it would cost millions to return it to its former glory and the run down neighborhood it's in no longer requires a hotel of that size (or any size, to be honest) so it will probably never happen. I remember going to dances there in high school - they had a junior ballroom and a grand ballroom with permanent bandstands for orchestras - it was an elegant place!
Hello from Milwaukee, I have relatives in Winnebago,I'll.
I believe that the chase bank building is approximately the same height over off of 20 on the east side
Thanks for watching Marc. Have yourself a very nice day.
I was 15 when we moved from Rockford in 1969
Thanks for watching Cynthia. I'm glad you liked it. Have a nice day, you deserve it!
Got anything on the Skandia coal and lumber fire?
Nope. Where is that?
@@TheMrdavidlangley seventh st from railroad avenue to eighth ave., the whole company went up in flames in 1957 or so. I can't find anything on it.
Awesome video. Your driving... Well...
Thank you 👍
My aunt and uncle DeLoss and Daisy Farr met while working here. Is the building used for anything now, such as low income housing ?
Yes Paul. I do believe it is now used for low income housing. President Kennedy once stayed at the Faust Hotel. I think that's pretty cool. Take care of yourself and have a nice day.
Factory and industry graveyard. Town is full of tragic loss for my family. We left in mid nineties. Dads factory went on strike. Mostly only go home for funerals it seems. Town is bitter sweet home for countless memories.
Mid eighties
Hey Angela. Thanks for watching. Merry Christmas!
I seen this and I live in it now
I've always wanted to go up in it. What is it like?
TheMrDavidLangley it was cool
@@jrace2305 Awesome.
Ok
Are you over 60? It is only for 60 and up
Awesome video. Complementary music. You do a great job editing also. Thanks for the ride! Did you know also that when Governor Otto Kerner went to jail for corruption in 1969, he was CONVICTED of his crimes by the evidence and testimony of the Faust Hotel building manager, who acted as the bagman for the jailbird Gov'na. What was the cash for? Political bribes, drug money, etc.
How was the music in any way complementary? shoulda been a slow funeral dirge
i live not far from here.Hauted ballroom on very top. no one is allowed up there. its all blocked off . the guy who owns the Midway theater is always in court. He never pays his fines for violations on the place. City might end up with it. If so, it will be turned into a parking lot. shame.
Interesting. Thank you for commenting. And thank you for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a nice day.
I'm from Rockford but left I the 70s.... My mom lived there til she passed in 2003. I still have relatives there and visit at times. I have a question for you. Why did t you video inside the building. Rockford is becoming a sad place but was once a Very nice place to live and raise children. Your property taxes are TOO high for the cost of the homes and very little industry there anymore. I'm disappointed in the city in 2018 as compared to 1960.
I did not have permission to film inside the building. And it is no longer a hotel. It is a private apartment building. Thank you for watching, and have a happy Easter my friend. I am as disappointed with Rockford's city leaders as you are!
A private apartment building? That's a very diplomatic way to describe government subsidized low income housing!
@@Marcel_Audubon So basically its a filthy rotten cesspool of freeloaders living off the government. Yeah, that sounds about right, especially since we're talking about RockTurds finest. Smh 🤦♂️
The historic Faust is a section 8 asylum?
Thanks for watching. Have a very nice day!
Is it really? I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering the fact that we're talking about RockTurd. Smh 🤦♂️
I did not know I'm from chicago I just seen your comment I thought is was a free liveing shelter for street bums lol all I see out there around that building is drug junkies and Alcoholic bums. 😅lol I feel sorry for the building. To Many lazy bums liveing in that building 😮