Rock Falls is transforming industry into recreation
Rock Falls is a city on the rise. “We were a manufacturing town. We had tons and tons of factories, and a lot of them shut down in the 80s,” says Melinda Jones, the director of Rock Falls Tourism and Events and lifelong Rock Falls resident. “We just got rid of another older building, but that’s just another place for future development. There’s lots of space for new businesses to come in.” The city has already started developing these riverside spaces — the old Russell, Burdsall and Ward Bolt and Nut factory closed in 2007, and the city reclaimed and transformed it into one of its more popular parks. “We’re just looking for new ways to grow,” Jones says, proud to be one of Rock Falls’s almost 9,000 residents.
Rock Falls is separated from its twin city, Sterling, to the North by the Rock River.
Historic Rock Falls, IL was founded in 1867 and has a current population of 8,606.
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Riverside parks and recreational bodies of water in Rock Falls
The Run Bike and Walk Park — known by locals as the RB&W — sits on the grounds of an old factory overlooking the Rock River. Parkgoers can admire the rotating selection of statues and art displayed along the walking paths or head onto the Rock River, known for its catfish. Branching off the river, the Hennepin Canal runs through the city and offers over 100 miles of trails and waterways for walking, biking, cross-country skiing, kayaking and ice skating. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the canal was the first of its kind in the U.S., and its techniques were used to build the Panama Canal. “In the winter, we get a ton of eagles because of all of the open water between the dams when the rest of the Hennepin and Rock River freezes over,” Jones says. “We’ll get a lot of photographers from Chicago coming in.” Also in town, Centennial Park has playgrounds, baseball diamonds and tennis courts, plus a lake with paddleboat rentals throughout the summer.
Enjoy a morning bike ride along the beautiful Hennepin Canal Feeder Bike Trail in Rock Falls.
Your kids will love the playground at Centennial Park in Rock Falls.
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Homes spanning from historic Nationals to midcentury bungalows
The median home price in Rock Falls is about $115,000, which is lower than the median in nearby Sterling on the other side of the river. Houses here range from early 1900s Nationals and American Foursquares to bungalows and ranch-style homes built between the ’40s and ’70s. Property and violent crime rates in Rock Falls have fluctuated in the past 10 years but plateaued in the past couple of years.
Bungalow-style homes in Rock Falls with detached garages average about $115,000.
Many updated ranch-style homes can be seen throughout Rock Falls.
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Local restaurants and diverse cuisines throughout Rock Falls
Awnings mark many of the downtown businesses and restaurants situated along Second Street. Options include coffee shops and pubs, plus Thai, Mexican and Puerto Rican restaurants. Farther from downtown, the Candlelight Inn serves fried chicken, cheese curds and steak. “If you leave the area and come back to visit, that’s where you go,” Jones says. From there, the local Walmart is just across First Avenue.
La Familia Family Restaurant has been serving residents of Rock Falls for over 28 years.
Residents of Rock Falls can grab their weekly groceries at the local Walmart.
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Multiple school districts serve the city
Rock Falls elementary and middle school students can attend one of two school districts. Students east of the canal head to East Coloma – Nelson Elementary School District 21, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Those on the opposite side of the canal can attend B-rated Rock Falls Elementary School District 15. Both districts feed into Rock Falls Township High School, which receives a B-minus. “The sports programs are really important in the area. A lot of times, we are lucky to host the state tournaments for softball and baseball,” Jones says. “I was just at Rock Falls High School, and they missed being in the Elite Eight for March Madness.”
Rock Falls Township High School offers plenty of AP and Honors courses.
Merrill Elementary School, located within Rock Falls, challenges and encourages children to learn.
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Annual festivals and concerts hosted at the RB&W District
The RB&W District hosts Taste of Fiesta in early September, offering a vendor market, petting zoo, pony rides and live music throughout the park. About a week later, the Fiesta Day Parade starts in Rock Falls and continues through Sterling, where there are activities and live music at the Grandon Civic Center. In early June, the Bellson Music Fest celebrates Rock Falls native Louis Bellson, a musician who performed with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Concerts take place at the RB&W District amphitheater.
Getting to work and across the river to Sterling
While residents can use the canal and its trails to get around the city, most people drive. First Avenue cuts through the city center, linking with Sterling to the north and Interstate 88 to the south. While Rock Falls still has some factories and manufacturing facilities, most of the area’s major employers, like CGH Medical Center, are across the river in Sterling. Sinnissippi Dam Walking Bridge is another way to get across the water. The city issues a snow emergency when the city gets snow and clear the streets. Quad Cities International Airport is the closest airport, about 56 miles west in Moline.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
Photography Contributed By
JJ Starr
Video By
Michael Carey
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Rock Falls, IL sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Rock Falls, IL over the last 12 months is $124,000, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Discover this perfect blend of peaceful country charm and convenient living in this maintained 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch located just outside city limits. Fresh paint throughout, and new water heater installed. Seller including two fit-to-size carpet rolls for the living room and basement. Situated on a generous lot with an attached one-car garage, this home is ready for you to move in and make it
When you call the Meadows of Luke Ridge home, youll find yourself in a quiet setting enhanced with a variety of unique amenities. Our community offers two and three bedroom floor plans spaciously designed with comfort in mind. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs.
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