Rock Falls is about ready to launch its 150th anniversary festivities. We are impressed by the variety of activities, which will get underway a week from now and run through Aug. 6. (Check rockfalls61071.net/sesquicentennial for a complete lineup of events.)

Alas, we wish we could say the Sterling Gazette, back in 1867, was as supportive of the fledgling community as we are of its sesquicentennial this year, but a look back in our files says otherwise.

The Gazette, a weekly published at the time by C.M. Worthington, at first appeared enthusiastic about the new development activities across the Rock River from Sterling.

On May 25, 1867, in a story simply titled “Paper mill,” the Gazette reported that Mr. E.G.W. Parks, from Beloit, “has purchased the necessary water power on the south side of the river, and will immediately commence the erection of a paper mill.

“This new and important enterprise cannot but be a profitable one in this section, where the demand for paper of all kinds has taxed manufacturers to their utmost capacity.”

A week later, on June 1, the Gazette went into more detail in a story titled “Grand enterprise.”

Here are a few excerpts:

It is well known to all our citizens that Mr. A.P. Smith has purchased of the Sterling Hydraulic company all their interest in the water power and land on the south side of Rock river, opposite Sterling. Since the purchase, Mr. Smith has been actively at work getting his property in marketable shape. The location is a beautiful one, being that of “Rapids City,” a town laid out before the state was surveyed by government. The soil is a rich sandy loam, the very best for vegetation. The land has been surveyed and tastefully laid out, with wide streets and alleys, and large lots.

In laying out the town, Mr. Smith has shown himself well “posted” in such matters, having the lots and streets all uniformly graded.

All settlers have to do is to erect their buildings, and this they can do without fear of ever being obliged to build stairways at the front doors for the purpose of entrance or exit. …

The substantial dam, of solid masonry, gives a six foot fall of water, which can be raised from three to six feet when it becomes necessary, and furnishes sufficient power, the year round, to drive as many wheels as can be placed upon it. …

The new town, opposite us, gives evidence of a healthy prosperity. Lots for business purposes, and for dwellings, are being bought every day. Already the sites for a paper mill and flouring mill have been purchased, and stores and shops of various kinds will be erected within a few weeks. From present indications there will be a large amount of building done the present season.

However, the Gazette's tone changed over the next 2 months, if we properly interpret the Aug. 10, 1867, story titled "Coloma."

Our sister city progresseth. She buildeth races; she buildeth paper mills; she buildeth foundries, likewise machine shops, also manufactories of agricultural implements, likewise stores; she banisheth lager beer and other obscene characters from her borders.

Moreover she serenadeth us. Her proprietor being originally a musical man, is determined his town shall be musical; and music by water power, of the style and strength of seventeen thousand ungreased cart-wheels, persists in amusing us through the dead hours of the night.

On Aug. 31, the Gazette reported on a meeting in Mr. Hapgood’s store on the south side of the river where leading citizens made plans to raise money to construct a woolen mill.

In that story, the city’s new name was revealed:

"Mr. A.P. Smith suggested the name of Rock Falls, for the new town, which met the approval of those present."

Nearly 2 months elapsed before the Gazette took up the subject of Rock Falls again on Oct. 19, 1867, with a mixture of condescension and, perhaps, jealousy about its upstart neighbor.

There is a right smart chance for a town across the river, and a right smart beginning has already been made.

It bears a hard name, that of Rock Falls; but its name is no worse than the pun.

Smith engineers the town. Smith is a gentleman and a joker, and makes the best sheepskin mitten that man or boy ever tucked thumb into. Besides, Smith is a modest man and don’t blow. For which we commend him. …

Not so with all of Smith’s “friends.” They bloviate about the “situation,” the “railroad facilities,” and jerk witticisms at Sterling.

It is to these individuals we want to say, that Rock Falls is a lively burg; but it isn’t Paris, nor London, nor Chicago, nor even Sterling. Its railroads won’t stretch to Egypt, and Alaska, and the moon, with a side switch to Sterling. Scarcely!

Rock Falls will increase and multiply – and we shall rejoice thereat – until it drops its meaningless title, like a tadpole its tail, and is joined to Sterling, “for better or worser.” And let no man put them asunder!

Well, A.P. Smith’s dream of an independent city came true, despite the Gazette’s less-than-enthusiastic support in 1867.

In 2017, Rock Falls marks an important milestone, and we couldn’t be happier.

It took people with ambition and an entrepreneurial spirit to make it all happen. That “Spirit of ’67” seems to be back once more, embodied in the city’s various redevelopment projects.

We are pleased to congratulate Rock Falls on its sesquicentennial, and we encourage the public to take part in all the fun.