Little City Big Life - Rockford IL

City of Gardens
Anderson Japanese Gardens is the finest in North America and just one of many local garden treasures....

Illinois Holiest City
You can't swing a flag stick without hitting a golf course in the Rockford Region.

This is River City
We've got four rivers and countless streams and lakes and ponds for splashing, fishing and racing, too!

We Love JANE!
At 66 million years young, JANE is our oldest resident!

Positively Rockford
See who else has pledged to be positive about our community.

From first kisses to first fishes to fulfilled wishes, if you're a Rockfordian, you've got stories to tell. Tell us your favorite Rockford Region stories - or discuss your favorite things about the Rockford Region. Tell us why you love Rockford. So, you're a visitor and you've had a positive Rockford experience? Share it here!

Your story can be about a favorite place or a favorite annual event or a favorite memory or even a favorite person. After all, a great community is more than the sum of its parts - and many of its "parts" are people. This community is full of Original people, to be sure!

Wedding - New Family - Home

Monday, September 17, 2007
I am originally from Hoffman Estates. I am proud to call Rockford my home since 1997. I am embarrassed to say I’d never been until I came to interview for a job out of college. Having no previous ties to this area, I thought I’d be here a year and move on. I quickly realized the benefits of living in Rockford—short commute, varied professional opportunity, friendly, natural beauty, affordable home ownership—not to mention the history and sense of place. Long story short: I met my husband, bought a house, got married at St. Peter’s Cathedral and reception at the Coronado, had two girls (who will now attend said St. Peter’s School) and we are now renovating an historic “that’s it” house. Ten years later, I can’t imagine my life unfolding in any other place as meaningful and welcoming as Rockford, Illinois!

Thanks to: Jennifer McInnis