by Roberta H. J. Schirado (Author)

One of the first settlers to build a mill on the Rogue River was Smith Lapham. The village that developed by the millpond was called Laphamville. After the Civil War, the town's name was changed to Rockford. The picturesque Rogue River and the city are symbiotic entities. The river was first dammed to provide power for lumber mills and gristmills. Later it supplied electricity for families, commerce, and manufacturing. For many years, Rockford has been known as the home of shoe manufacturer Wolverine World Wide. The sad-eyed canine logo for Hush Puppies footwear is instantly recognizable throughout the world. Many residents continue to be employed there.