Everything Beloit is known for
16 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Pull over here if you can, because these unassuming buildings tell a powerful story of migration and segregation. They’re called the Fairbanks Flats, and they were built in 1917 to house Black workers from the South.…
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 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…
Pull over here for a minute! Abraham Lincoln himself slept in this house. The Lincoln–Tallman House was built in 1857 by William and Emeline Tallman. Before he was president, Abraham Lincoln visited Janesville and…
Ever wondered where a town's heartbeat used to be? For decades, this 1886 train depot served as the social center of a small Wisconsin community. It was the hub for news, gossip, and seeing who was coming and going.…
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 seen a barn that looks like it belongs in a fairytale? Get ready for the Risum Round Barn, a truly unique piece of Wisconsin history! This isn't your typical red rectangular barn, folks. It was built between 1890…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Look closely at that barn, because its heart is actually a giant oak tree! Around 1902, Chris Gempeler bought this land in Rock County. Then, in the summer and fall of 1912, he hired the Hasse brothers from Illinois to…
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…
Imagine risking everything for a chance at freedom. That's what happened right here at Milton House. Built in 1844 by Joseph Goodrich, this unique hexagonal building wasn't just a home and inn; it was a vital stop on…
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…