ROCK FALLS

Rock Falls Manufacturing Co. (1909-1925)

Sterling, Illinois

This is a Rock Falls radiator emblem (dates unknown)      mjs
Size: 44mm wide 42mm high   MM: Unknown (poss None)

The Rock Falls Manufacturing Company had been a builder of custom bodies for carriages since 1878, particularly for the funeral trade. Motorized hearses were built from 1909 but a passenger car was introduced in 1919.

The Rock Falls was an assembled 52 hp six-cylinder car using standard components but was unusual in having its gasoline tank mounted on the side of the chassis with the filler cap under the driver's feet. This oddity was dropped soon after. In the 1920's the Rock Falls grew to a 73 hp six-cylinder model. Most Rock Falls cars were produced for the funeral trade but a few were offered as large limousines or sedans for private use. Total Rock Falls production is not known but about 50 units were built each year. The company was out of business in 1925.

Emblems

The Rock Falls carried a pressed metal radiator emblem, see example above. The Rock Falls radiator emblem is likely to have been used before the introduction of the Rock Falls passenger car but is, nevertheless, very rare.

The Rock Falls radiator emblem can be found finished in nickel plate, see example below:

This is a nickel plated Rock Falls radiator emblem (dates unknown)   sam
Size: 44mm wide 42mm high    MM: Unknown

There is also a much rarer version of the Rock Falls radiator emblem finished in black and white enamel, possibly for use on the larger, more expensive funeral car models, although I cannot confirm this, see example below:

This is a Rock Falls radiator emblem (dates unknown)    sam
Size: 44mm wide 42mm high   MM: Unknown