Macktown Living History

Macktown Living History Welcome to Macktown, a place where history comes to life. It was founded in the mid-1830's by Stephen Andrew Mack, Jr., and his wife, Mary Hononegah.
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On a forested bluff overlooking the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers in Rockton are the remnants of Winnebago County's earliest settlement. Macktown, then known as Pekatonic, represents a time and place of change on the Illinois frontier when the fur trade collided with a progressive world. In prosperous times, Pekatonic boasted of the Mack's two-story home and store, a furniture store, a school room, a

shoemaker's shop, a tavern, a trading post, fur trapper's cabins, and other homes belonging to the population of 200-300. A ferry and bridge traversed the Rock River. Following Mack's death in 1850 and the destruction of the bridge in 1851, the Macktown settlement area failed to thrive. The northern part of the settlement prospered and officially became known as Rockton in 1846 or 1847. The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, which owns the land on which Macktown and the trading post once sat, and the Macktown Living History Education Center have undertaken plans to restore Macktown to its 1830 - 1846 historic condition.

06/19/2026

These cooler temps have our volunteers daydreaming about Lincoln and Liberty! We are looking to fill a few more voluntee...
06/18/2026

These cooler temps have our volunteers daydreaming about Lincoln and Liberty! We are looking to fill a few more volunteer spots for both Friday and or Saturday. If you or someone you know is interested in lending a hand, drop your name in the comments section and a volunteer will be with you shortly!

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

It's our scenic Sunday and this week our volunteers are fawning over these cuties!
06/14/2026

It's our scenic Sunday and this week our volunteers are fawning over these cuties!

Exciting Updates at Macktown and the Steven's Workshop! We are incredibly thrilled to share some wonderful new additions...
06/13/2026

Exciting Updates at Macktown and the Steven's Workshop!
We are incredibly thrilled to share some wonderful new additions to our historic displays and grounds, and we owe a massive thank you to everyone who made it happen!

New Additions to the Shop
Next time you step into the workshop, you’ll be able to see TWO incredible new tools on display:

The Cricket Scroll Saw (ca. 1881-1917): Manufactured by the Millers Falls Company, this historic, foot-powered "all-iron" marvel is a fantastic piece of engineering history. Weighing just 17 pounds and featuring arms crafted from second-growth ash, it's a beautifully preserved example of classic, accessible craftsmanship.

Our New Great Wheel Lathe: This stunning, historically accurate wooden treadle lathe is completely set up and ready to showcase traditional wood turning. Paired with our collection of turning chisels, it perfectly captures the spirit of early trade and craftsmanship.

History is Growing!
Out on the grounds, our historical agricultural displays are thriving. We have officially planted a fresh plot of Largeleaf To***co. Visitors will be able to watch this historically significant crop grow throughout the season, offering a firsthand look at early farming and trade practices.

Keeping History Alive, Together
To put it simply: We could not do any of this without the unwavering support of our incredible community and volunteers. Whether you are helping to tend the gardens, assisting with the care and setup of these historic tools, or supporting our mission through outreach and visits—YOU are the heartbeat of this organization. Thank you for dedicating your time, skills, and passion to keeping our local heritage alive and kicking.
Come on out to the village, step back in time, and see what your incredible support has built!

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06/12/2026

Address

2221 Freeport Road
Rockton, IL
61072

Telephone

+18156244200

Website

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