Rockford History

Rockford, Illinois is famously the home of the red-heeled sock monkey. Now 20-year-old Nathan Lilliebridge has created ‘Harry’ from 1,400 LEGO pieces — and he needs 10,000 votes to make it an official LEGO set.

A carnival owner from Rockford bought Ed Gein’s 1949 “Ghoul Car” in 1958 and exhibited it across the Midwest. It later disappeared, leaving behind a creepy link between Gein’s crimes and Rockford that remains unsolved.

“In the 1880s, Rockford hosted ‘Heaven’, a cult where followers believed their leader was Jesus reincarnated. Mixed faith, scandal, and a red‑painted farm: the Beekmanites’ story is wild.

Fascinated by abandoned places? Take of virtual tour inside 3 of Rockford, Illinois' most famous abandoned buildings.

We've all heard stories that there are abandoned underground tunnels in Rockford, Illinois, but is it actually true? We've got the answer.

Did you know that a whole underground tunnel system exists under the streets of Rockford, Illinois? Here's video proof.

Did you know that Loves Park, Illinois was once home to a thriving pickle empire that supplied the Midwest with some of the tastiest pickles around?

Discover the fascinating history behind Rockford, Illinois, from a mere rest stop to a thriving city with a rich past!

For decades, Rockford Speedway was the heart of local racing, but now its legacy is shifting gears. With the final pieces of this iconic track up for grabs, fans have a unique chance to own a slice of history before the site transitions to new development.

Growing up in the Forest City, we were blessed with a ton of options to rent from. Each one had a different niche and a different audience to cater to. Everyone I know had their favorite one to rent from too.