Rock Falls Has Various Area Historic Sites
Rock Falls was founded on the south bank of the Rock River in eastern Whiteside County in 1867 by A.P. Smith. Whiteside County itself was named after General Samuel Whiteside, a distinguished officer who participated in area Indian wars from 1812 until the close of the Black Hawk war.
In his pursuit of Black Hawk in 1832, he passed through this section, and burned Prophetstown.
General Whiteside was a native of Rutherford County, North Carolina, and came to the Illinois Territory in about 1806.
Besides holding the positions of Captain, Major, Colonel and General Commander of forces against hostile Indians, he was frequently elected and appointed to civil offices of trust and honor. He died in 1861 and was buried near the home of his daughter in Christian County, Illinois.
The area climate is a seasonal one. In Rock Falls the average summer temperature is 73 degrees, while in the winter the area may accumulate up to 38 inches of snowfall.
Quality education is offered by the Rock Falls Elementary and Middle School system and the Rock Falls High School. Rock Falls excels not only academically, but also in basketball, baseball and softball. The outlying areas of Rock Falls are served by 3 grade schools that are not a part of the city school system - Montmorency, Riverdale & East Coloma Grade Schools.
Area medical facilities include the CGH Medical Center, Sterling/Rock Falls Clinic, KSB Hospital, Fulton Family Health Clinic, Mercy Medical Center Hospital and Morrison Community Hospital.
Various area historic sites include the Albany Indian Mounds State Historic Site, Rock Falls Fire Department Museum, Ronald Reagan Birthplace, Whiteside County Historical Society, Lee County, Historical Society, Asa Crook Home, Martin House Museum, O'Dell Agriculture Museum, Sterling Mural Society and many more.
Other points of interest include Hennepin Feeder Canal, Chief Shikshak Northwest Bison Ranch, Heritage Canyon, Sandy Pine Elk Farm and more.
Local festivals include Whiteside County Fair, Louie Bellson Days, Fiesta Days, Hometown Holidays & Petunia Festival and others.
Rock Falls offers many opportunities for young and old alike. Coloma Township Park District has 17 local parks plus there are hundreds of parklands at nearby state parks. The Rock River remains our community's most valuable recreational asset. Home to some of the world's best cat fishing, it has been featured on TV outdoor shows.
Golf is very big here, area courses include Deer Valley Country Club, Rock River Golf and Pool, Emerald Hill Golf Center and Lake View Golf Club. In addition, close by are Timber Creek Country Club, Lost Nation Golf Club, Cross Creek Golf Course, Sunset Woods Golf Course, Green River Country Club, Prophet Hills Country Club, Silver Ridge County Club and Edgewood Golf Course.
The Rock River is also a Mecca for recreational boating. Historic Hennepin Canal runs through the city's East Side with strolling and bike paths.
The Coloma Park District offers peaceful, scenic park views with tennis courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic shelters, canoes and paddleboats.