Rockford is so old but not the Oldest

Rockford was first settled in 1834-1835, we are so old! But not Illinois' oldest.

Gather around for a history lesson kids.

Rockford was settled around 1834-1835 when Germanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake, and Lewis Lemon, established themselves on the bank of Rock River.

The location of this new land was halfway between Chicago and Galena, so it was briefly known as "Midway" (Why not Halfway) but became known as Rockford, because of the  ford across Rock River. Beef-A-Roo was established months later.

1834 was a long time ago, but that doesn't make Rockford Illinois' oldest town.

According to ONLY here are Illinois' oldest towns, none of which have a Beef-A-Roo:

• Shawneetown
• Cahokia
• Kaskaskia
• Edwardsville
• Barrington
• Palestine
• Peoria
• Cairo
• Alton
• Carthage

O.K., let's look at Cahokia. This place was claimed to have been established in the early 1000s. Yes the 1000's, this makes it the oldest community in Illinois. The saying "old as dirt" totally applies.