Where Did The Name ROCKFORD Come From?

Great question. Here is the answer thanks to our friends at GOROCKFORD.COM. I think you will be amazed.

The story goes like this. In 1834, New Englanders settled on both banks of a shallow, rocky stretch of the Rock River, where there was a natural ford. They named their settlement “Midway Village,” because it was halfway between Chicago and Galena (then a mining boomtown). By 1837, the settlement had grown and was re-named “Rockford.” (The original ford is just south of where U.S. Business Highway 20 [State Street] crosses the river at Founders Landing in Davis Park.)

Told you it was interesting. Now you can dazzle your friends. Learn more about Rockford at our local museums, or at gorockford.com.

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