Memorial Hall

Historical marker location:

211 North Main Street, Rockford, Illinois

( Memorial is on North Main Street south of West Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1966

The world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1884. It was only 10 stories tall, but it was the first building to use a steel frame to support its weight, which allowed it to be much taller than traditional buildings made of brick or stone.