
It was common for homes in Rockford to use coal for heating prior to 1940. In September of 1921 there were listed two retailers of coal in Rockford which had a population at the time of 324 people. Midland Lumber and Coal Co. was based in Minneapolis with branch offices and yards in Minnesota and Wisconsin. There was a dealer and delivery service in Rockford listed, but not an actual yard for storage. There was one in Hamel and one in Loretto. Most likely those yards delivered via the rail line to Rockford, since the shipping crate clearly states Rockford. The board was from a house built about 1900. Thank you to Angie Raskob for sharing this piece of Rockford history and to Perry Buffie for his research on Midland Lumber & Coal Company.