9-02-2024 3:49am

Roscoe Township Historical Society launching memorial brick campaign

The Cross homestead, Founders Park, Roscoe IL

Preserving history is at the heart of the goals of the Roscoe Township Historical Society (RTHS).

In mid-September they are launching a Memorial Brick campaign with all proceeds being used toward further work on the Cross Homestead renovation.

Honor a loved one with bricks that are being placed on the patio at Founders Park, between the community center and the Cross home.

Plans are to place bricks twice a year. A few bricks have already been installed at Founders Park. For brick sizes and pricing options, go to https://roscoehistory.org/memorial-brick-program.

More information on the memorial brick campaign can be found in future posts on Facebook and the RTHS website, and at upcoming events.

Visit the Roscoe Township Historical Society's booth during the Roscoe Fall Festival starting on Friday, Sept. 6 through Sept. 8, 2024 at Leland Park. Meet members and learn about those who made history in Roscoe and Roscoe Township. Volunteers are welcome. Capture memories at the “Old Tyme Photo Booth,” where you can appear in period costume in 19th century photos of Roscoe.

Historian Tracy Terry is writing a book about Roscoe history for the RTHS.

One of the chapters is going to feature hometown heroes, and will include the history of the Roscoe police department, fire department, VFW and military veterans.

Another chapter of the book will be on the churches. So Terry is currently looking for the histories and pictures on the churches of Roscoe, including the 10 that are currently here.

Terry is only able to highlight a few people in the book, but already has another idea in the works that will open doors to including information on others.

Terry is seeking information and photos of as many who have ever served in any of these organizations.

Anyone who can provide memorabilia on people, places, events, businesses, or organizations of Roscoe from the years of 1835-2024 can contact Terry at jandbtmom@gmail.com.

RTHS will be hosting an antique sale at Founders Park. Find unique one of a kind collectibles or interesting items the weekend of Sept. 28-29 from 9 a.m., until 3 p.m.

Donations of antique pieces in the sale which will feature antiques with anything that is over 50 years old fitting this classification. Arrangements can be made for a drop off of donations for the upcoming sale, or would like to volunteer at any event call the Roscoe Township Historical Society at 815-828-6107.

On Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. the public is invited to a presentation on the history of the Roscoe Fall Festival, which is one of the longest running festivals since 1910. Learn all of the interesting aspects behind this long running event at the Roscoe Community Center at 4562 Hononegah Rd.

The Robert Cross Home History

The property where the homestead sits was purchased by Roscoe Township who leased the home to the Roscoe Township Historical Society for $1 a year. Seventeen acres were purchased on the Cross Homestead.

The home was built in 1842 and remained in Robert Cross's family until it was purchased by the Hulbert family in 1942, before Roscoe Township acquired it.

Robert Cross was the first non-indigenous settler who came to Roscoe in August 1835. He ventured into northern Winnebago County from Coldwater, Michigan and bought a claim from one of Stephen Mack's French Canadian employees. This claim became known as “Cross Grove” in the southwest quarter of section 32 of Roscoe Township, presently known as Edgemere Terrace.

The farm was two miles northwest of Roscoe and lies on both sides of what is now known as Hononegah Road. The claim that Mr. Cross made was the first in the town for the purpose of a permanent settlement and cultivation.

Cross assisted at the origination of Winnebago County. He was a member of the election board for the first election to ever be held in Winnebago County. At their first meeting he was elected by County Commissioners as County Treasurer.

In 1841 the Winnebago County Agricultural Society was organized and Robert J. Cross served as the Vice President.

Cross was elected by the Whigs as a representative to the General Assembly. He was also a delegate to the convention that framed a new Constitution of the State of Illinois. In 1849 Cross wrote a letter to then Congressmen Abraham Lincoln of Illinois.

In 1869 he was unanimously nominated by the Republicans for a member of the convention that formed the present Illinois Convention. Later he was elected as one of three members from Winnebago and Boone Counties to the General Assembly. He was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for several years, until the time of his death.

Cross was also the Township School Fund trustee for over 30 years. During that time the Township never suffered from a loss of funds being loaned on insufficient securities, unlike other Townships in those days.

Cross was also one of the founding members of Roscoe United Methodist Church.

Roscoe Township Historical Society President Laura (McAfee) Zwart has special ties to Robert Cross and the homestead. Her father was born in that house. An addition was constructed in the 1940's.

Roscoe Township Historical Society was formed in the fall of 2018. Articles of incorporation were finalized on Nov. 13, 2018.

Bernard Sunstead was RTHS's first president. The society was brought together with the main objective of preserving and sharing the history of Roscoe.

A partnership was formed between Roscoe Township Historical Society and Roscoe Township to develop the property into a public-use space. The Township now has a well utilized community center, nearly a mile of paths, and a multi-use outdoor shelter.

RTHS has honored long local time Roscoe businesses with the Heritage Enterprise Recognition.

Ongoing educational programs give greater insight to people, places and actions that have happened over time.

Support RTHS as they continue to preserve history while building toward the future, with proceeds coming in from fundraising events!