Institution

Old offices of Manley Sand/Martin Marrietta

Rockton Tour site number 1

This walking tour was started by the Rockton Historical Society in 2018 but to date, the entries have not been completed. If you know someone at the Rockton Historical Society or anyone else who might complete and submit this tour for review, please encourage them to do so as we have received several requests for this tour to be finished. (Clio volunteer editors) 

The first known white settler in the area was Vermont native Stephen Mack Jr., who came from Detroit as an agent of the American Fur Company. After a short stay near Grand Detour he arrived here around 1835 with his Native American wife, Hononegah. A brief stay at Bird’s Grove, now Hononegah Forest Preserve, was followed by a move to a bluff on the south side of the river near the confluence of the Rock and the Pecatonica where he hoped to build a permanent settlement. The area was first known as Pecatonica and later called Macktown. The large frame home he built there in 1839 for his family still stands along with the limestone trading post built by Mr. William Whitman, both a part of the Macktown Living History Education Center. Early maps showing the locations of various mills for grinding grain, sawing lumber, making paper and so on, as well as an 1860s era Webber Angle Sieve separator manufactured at a mill on the race in Rockton, are on display at the local historical society museum.

Incorporated in 1872, the Village of Rockton has grown from a small settlement established in 1835 to today's thriving village boasting history with a future. One of Rockton's greatest attractions is historic buildings of many architectural styles of the 19th century. Rockton is home to the largest concentration of Greek revival style buildings in the upper mid-west. Many are constructed of native limestone or bricks from local quarries. Use Clio "Tours" tab to enjoy one of many walking tours of historic Rockton.

Village of Rockton

Original owner Jacob Hyatt. First known as Hyatt's Tavern. Original builder John Hudson. Built in 1839. This is a Greek Revival building with a Frame construction. This was first a hotel, then residence and store

Rockton Tour site number 2

Original owner Dr. Harley Hooker. Built in 1840. This is a Greek Revival building with a Frame construction. Architecturally and historically significant. Dr. Hooker was Rockton's first physician, having arrived in 1839 from Hartford, CT. Dr. Hooker was a direct descendent of the Rev. Thomas Hooker, one of the founders of the colony of CT. Dr. Hooker had an extensive and successful practice and was widely known and greatly respected.

Rockton Tour site number 3

Original owner Charles Manning. Original builder Charles Manning. Built in 1854. This is a Greek Revival/Gothic Revival building with a Stone construction. Darihaus. Lil (Alexander) Nielsen lived there from 1955 to 1972 when her family rented it from Katie Wall. They had no shower or tub and took baths in a washtub in the kitchen. There was an oil burner. This building was erected around 1854 by Charles Manning, a saddler, and passed through several owners in a few years. This structure was used as a private residence for many years. There was a dirt floor basement and the stone part of the home was a living room on the main level with a bedroom avove. The back addition housed a kitchen and dining area with a bedroom and bath above. A front porch was added on and later removed. In 1984 the building became the DAIRYHAUS, a favorite spot for homemade ice cream.

Rockton Tour site number 4

Original owner Talcott & Lyman. Original builder Thomas Farmer. Built in 1854. This is a Greek Revival building with a Stone construction. The building was erected in 1854 by State Senator Wait Talcott for use as a store and then as a grain storage facility. The pilasters in the front brickwork indicate Early Classical or Greek Revival style. On June 29, 1888 he presented it to the town for a library. His son, William, gave a sum of $2000 toward having the building remodeled. The present gabled roof replaced the original flat one in the renovation. Thomas Talcott, Wait's brother, gave $1100 worth of books to form the nucleus of the present Talcott Free library. A board and batten addition to the east of the library was added in 1969, with two other additions added in 1979 and 1993.

Rockton Tour site number 5

Original owner Webb. Original builder James Grey. Built in 1852. This is a Greek Revival building with a Stone construction. Original purpose was a store. Over the years it has served as a millinery, telephone exchange, confectionery, and post office

Rockton Tour site number 6

This was the office of the Rockton Herald newspaper

Rockton Tour site number 7

Built in 1908. This building is a cinder block construction. This was the Masonic Lodge. Rooftop brickwork removed at some point

Rockton Tour site number 8

Built in 1845-1847. This is a Greek Revival building with a Stone construction. This building no longer exists. The New England House hotel was damaged by fire in Oct 1907. Torn down at a later date.

Downtown Rockton Historical Architecture Walking Tour

Rockton Tour site number 1

Introduction

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