Everything Cherry Valley is known for
13 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Ever seen a Frank Lloyd Wright building inside a cemetery? Here's your chance. In 1906, Emma Pettit commissioned the famous architect to design a chapel in Belvidere Cemetery, honoring her late husband, William. It was…
Catch a glimpse of the golden age of entertainment at the Apollo Theatre, a beautifully preserved 1920s theater in Belvidere. Built in 1921, the Apollo Theatre has been a landmark in downtown Belvidere, right on the…
Ever wonder what it's like to walk the same halls as generations of Belvidere students? That's what you're seeing here at the Old Belvidere High School. It all started with the Garfield School in 1893, followed by the…
This Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house is more than just beautiful architecture; it's a testament to accessible design. Kenneth Laurent, a disabled World War II veteran, and his wife Phyllis, commissioned Wright to…
Ever wonder about the stories behind these old houses? This one, the Lysander Jacoby House, has quite a tale to tell. Lysander Jacoby was a lawyer who, for reasons that remain a bit mysterious, became a recluse. He had…
Prepare to be dazzled! This spot marks the location of the Coronado Theatre, a stunning example of 1920s movie palace architecture. Built at a cost of $1.5 million, the Coronado opened its doors on October 9, 1927.…
Before any European settlers arrived, the Ho-Chunk people knew the Rock River Valley intimately, their lives interwoven with the river's bounty and the prairie's resources. The Rock River itself became the lifeblood of…
For nearly 60 years, this armory served as the headquarters for Illinois National Guard units. Located at 605 Main Street, the Illinois National Guard Armory in Rockford housed various Illinois National Guard units.…
Imagine building your dream home... and it looking like a Swiss chalet right here in Illinois! That's exactly what Robert Hall Tinker did in the late 1860s. Tinker, a prominent Rockford businessman, began constructing…
Imagine the rumble of a steam engine overhead, because this stone arch bridge isn't just a pretty view, it's a survivor from the golden age of railroads. Back in 1882, the Chicago & North Western Railway built this…
Right here, in 1832, a young Abraham Lincoln may have witnessed a complete military blunder during the Black Hawk War. Black Hawk and his band of Sauk Indians were trying to reclaim their land. Illinois militia, eager…
Stand here long enough, and you can almost hear the bustle of a frontier trading post. Macktown, established in the late 1830s, was one of the first settlements in this part of Illinois, owing its existence to its…
Imagine learning your ABCs right here! The North Grove School, built by Swedish immigrants in 1878, was more than just a building; it was the heart of this community. Originally a Lutheran school, it quickly became part…