The Faust Hotel built in 1929 at 630 E. State St. At the end of World War II, during V-J day (victory over japan day), the center for much of the celebration in Rockford took place in the area of the Faust hotel and the nearby Midway theater. The Faust was known as the premier hotel for Rockford, hosting such dignitaries as President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the 1960 Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, as well as one of the Kings of Sweden during a visit to the Swedish community located in Rockford. Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland, third son of Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden, was the guest of honor at a banquet held at the Faust Hotel in 1938. It was sold to the Shriners who renamed it Tebala Towers. It was renamed to its current name when sold by the Shriners and was renovated into one and two bedroom efficiency apartments. Before 1980 the hotel was also adorned with a set of large red neon letters in a double row that proclaimed Faust Hotel and later, Tebala Towers on the north top side and the east top side of the building. In the early 1980s a fierce windstorm knocked down some of the letters, damaging the building and putting pedestrians & residents at risk. The Faust was named for Levin Faust, a Swedish immigrant and industrialist who came to Rockford in the late 19th Century and also helped organize what is now known as the Rockford Park District. ((ebay, rockfordreminisce, wiki))
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:58:59 +0000
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