This is the Jefferson Brenner store that was located on Bridge street next to the where the Masonic hall is now. Brenner (a Civil War veteran) was a very successful businessman in Rockford, first mentioned in town documents in 1866. Brenner initially sold just dry good from his store. He soon expanded into selling produce and meat, he even slaughtered livestock to sell in Rockford and shipped some to Minneapolis. Eventually he rented out space for a Drug store (Dr. Dickenson) and Harness shop (Charles Conzet). By 1880 he had a refrigerator in the store. Brenner also invested in the Woolen Mill for a short time. In 1887 there was a fight in Brenner’s store between 3 people from Greenwood. The fight resulted in a showcase being broken, glass from the front door busted, 50 lbs of butter destroyed and 3 black eyes dealt out….must have been one heck of a fight!
It’s estimated that this was from the late 1880’s. If you look closely you can see the original building is the right portion of the picture, and the portion on the left was added in 1880.
Rockford Woolen Mill – Part 1