There's No Community In Illinois More Enchanting And Historic Than Rockton
By Linze Rice|Published August 01, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Something I love about Illinois is that it’s filled with charming small towns that give you a chance to step into what feels like an entirely different world. From planning the perfect day trip destination in the heart of Illinois to scheduling some much-need nature time at the Chain O’Lakes, there is always a new side of the state to uncover. I’m always fascinated with the history of small towns — I try to imagine what they may have looked like when their main streets were still dirt and cobblestone and their storefronts served as apothecaries and old-timey saloons. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that few communities do a better job of preserving their roots than this historic small town in Illinois that’s less than two hours west of Chicago.
The historic village of Rockton, Illinois is nestled next to the Rock River on the Illinois/Wisconsin border in Winnebago County. With a population of about 7,700 residents, it's an idyllic example of small-town Midwestern living.
Before white explorers settled in the area, it was occupied by a number of Native American tribes, whose influence is still prevalent today. The first pioneer in town, Stephen Mack Jr., married Hononegah, a local Native American woman, in the early 1830s and the two settled in an outpost that today is known as Macktown.
Much of the town's rich history is well-preserved and available to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, who find the Greek revival-style architecture enchanting.
This stunning chapel, known as the Church By The Side Of The Road, was once part of the Wagon Wheel Resort and is still a popular place for weddings.
A walk down its quaint Main Street offers an up-close look at historic buildings that showcase great shopping, antiques, family restaurants, cafes, and bars.
The Talcott Library, built in 1854, will transport you back in time. The building was originally used as a storefront and then later as a place to store grain before being donated to the town for use as a library.
Personally, I'm stopping off for a quick pint at the Village Pub before heading over to the Macktown Historic District for a self-guided "living history" walking tour.
The Macktown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only community from the 1830s that's still largely intact and without development in Northern Illinois.
The district includes buildings such as Whitman's Trading Post (1846), seen above, the Stephen Mack Jr. home (1839), and many prehistoric remnants that date back thousands of years, according to local historians.
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Visitors can take advantage of the 13-acre park via a walking tour that guides you to points of historical interest, such as Native American gardens, a stone quarry, a former ferry and bridge crossing, a Native village, a cemetery, homesteads, and much more.
One of the most popular stops in town is the family-owned Dairyhäus ice cream shop, 113 E. Main St. Housed in a historic building, this creamery has been churning frozen homemade creations since 1983 and is a must-visit in town.
Another worthy stop is the Historic Auto Attractions museum — a massive 80,000-square-foot warehouse filled with automotive exhibits and historic artifacts ranging from cars featured in "Batman" to the world's largest collection of presidential and world leaders' limousines.
So, would you add this historic small town in Illinois to your list of places to visit? Have you ever been to Rockton? What’s your favorite historic small town in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip by checking out the Village of Rockton website and the Village of Rockton Facebook page. Looking for even more Rockton recs? This vintage cupcake diner is an absolute must, and this old-fashioned candy shop will put your sweet tooth to the test!
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