Black History Month: What was Rockford's Liberty Homeowners League?

Jawuan Walters

How much do you know about Rockford's Black history? In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room to bring our readers a local Black history fact of the day.

Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day throughout the month of February to read about the people, places and events that played significant roles in shaping the rich fabric of Rockford's Black history.

Members of the Rockford Liberty Homeowners League including the Rev. Eldridge Gilbert of Pilgrim Baptist Church who served as president of the group.
Members of the Rockford Liberty Homeowners League including the Rev. Eldridge Gilbert of Pilgrim Baptist Church who served as president of the group.

After facing numerous hurdles to purchase property and build homes, a group consisting of Black professionals formed the Rockford Liberty Homeowners League in 1949.

With an initial loan of over $50,000, they purchased several homes for families in Rockford.

Want to learn more about the Rockford Liberty Homeowners League? Visit the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room at rockfordpubliclibrary.org/local-history or in person at the Hart Interim Library, 214 N. Church St.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Black History Month: What was Rockford's Liberty Homeowners League?