Miss Grant
Keaton--Sterling, Illinois was founded by Hezikiah Brink in 1832.  It is on
the Rock River right across the river from Rock Falls.

Katie--Hezikiah Brink's brick home is still on 16th Avenue by Lincoln
School.

Jessica--Our area is known as the Rock River Valley.  It is very pretty.

Jermaine--The first train to our area came in 1856.  That helped industrial
growth.

Rashad--The Rock River was a good source of power to help developing
industries.

Brandon--In 1892 Washington M. Dillon started a small barbed wire company
that became Northwestern Steel and Wire.  It used the most electricity in
Illinois.  My grandfather and father worked there.  Unfortunately, it closed
in May, leaving 14000 people unemployed.

Gloria--Many people from Mexico came to the community to work at the steel
mill. I know a lady who was born in a box car near the mill.  That is where
many of the immigrants lived.  The community has a rich heritage of Mexico,
and there are several locally owned Mexican restaurants.

Steph--In September there is the Mexican Fiesta Parade to celebrate the
Mexican independence.  A queen is crowned, and there are lots of activities
including a dance and soccer tournament.

Estella--The Dillon Home Museum belongs to the Sterling Parks.  There are
antiques there and tours.  Engine 73 and its caboose are on the grounds. You
can also visit the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical society on the same
property.

Diane--National Manufacturing which makes hardware (labeled National) has
been in business for over 100 years and is doing very well.

Adam--Sterling has beautiful parks and Westwood Indoor Track where I train
and run in the winter.  Teams from Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois come to
compete in track meets there.

Ruben--Wahl Clipper makes clippers and shavers which are sold round the
world.

Lori--My sister goes to Sauk Valley Community College.  It has the first two
years of college, and many students transfer to Western Illinois University
to finish their education.

Maren--My mom teaches for Unit 5 Schools.  There are 4 primary schools, a
middle school, and high school.  Whiteside Area Vocational Center has an
education to careers approach.

Kate--Two years ago Centennial Auditorium, located at Sterling High School,
opened.  It is the first real auditorium for our city.  The seats are
padded, and it is air conditioned.  "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat" was performed there this winter.

Barry--On Father's Day week-end my brother and I participate in the Gus
Macker Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament.  It is always hot, but it is a
blast!

Emily--On Wednesday nights in the summer we have Music under the Stars with
the Sterling Municipal Symphony Band downtown.  Everybody comes out to
listen, visit with friends, and eat popcorn.

Marla--Sterling is the "Mural City of Illinois."  Several years ago the
Sterling Mural Society was formed.  Its purpose is to document the heritage
of Sterling by promoting the painting of murals on buildings which brings
the past into the present.

Al--There are 10 murals now, and they are really neat.  Maybe someday there
will be bus trips to Sterling to see all these murals.

Rachel--I like to go shopping at Northland Mall and the Super Wal-mart.

Brad--We have a new YMCA, and I have been going swimming there this summer.

Carly--CGH Medical Center has been in Sterling for over 85 years.  It has
over 750 employees and 110 phyisicians

Gus--We are about one hour from the Quad-Cities and 1 1/2 hours from
Rockford.  Sterling is just a few miles from Interstate 40; so that makes it
easy when we want to go to Chicago.

Jacob--We hope you have learned more about our home, Sterling, Illinois.