Imagine for a moment, jumping into a time machine and dialing it back to 1999, then once you are there, back in time, getting in a vehicle and driving around, what would you see that is no longer around in 2024 or would you party like it’s 1999?
Besides looking in the rearview mirror and seeing you, 25 years younger, you would pass by, Hilander Grocery Stores, The Ponderosa Steak House, and even have an adult beverage at State Street Station. So let’s go back in time, for a relaxing drive, around Rockford and the year, 1999.
Driving around Rockford in 1999 was a mix of bustling culture.
Rockford, Illinois, in 1999 was a mix of bustling local culture and Midwest charm, with the city at a point of growth and nostalgia. Rockford was in the midst of a transition; new developments were cropping up, yet remnants of an industrial past were still visible. You’d cruise down State Street and find a blend of mom-and-pop shops, aging theaters, and the distinct Midwest feel of diners and small businesses…