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.

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.

06/06/2026

06/05/2026

We can't wait to see all of our friends from NSLD and Rockton for the pet parade! Be sure to stop in the Ed center to se...
06/04/2026

We can't wait to see all of our friends from NSLD and Rockton for the pet parade! Be sure to stop in the Ed center to see Alexis from . Brujita and all of their creations as well as grab a book from Mrs. Williams andpaperpie along with our other historic buildings for fun activities and a quick tour.

06/03/2026

Correction the dig scheduled for the 10th is completely full. If you would like to attend the dig get your spot soon for...
06/02/2026

Correction the dig scheduled for the 10th is completely full. If you would like to attend the dig get your spot soon for tomorrow!

7 spots left for the 3rd and 1 spot left for the 10th! If you want to participate in the field school led by Dr. Davis time is running out to sign up and claim your spot! Who knows what you will dig up?!

7 spots left for the 3rd and 1 spot left for the 10th! If you want to participate in the field school led by Dr. Davis t...
06/02/2026

7 spots left for the 3rd and 1 spot left for the 10th! If you want to participate in the field school led by Dr. Davis time is running out to sign up and claim your spot! Who knows what you will dig up?!

With a blue moon this week and preparation underway for our , Sensibility ,and Scones event coming up on June 14th every...
05/31/2026

With a blue moon this week and preparation underway for our , Sensibility ,and Scones event coming up on June 14th everyone decided that a walk was in order this morning. Some of our youngest volunteers found some very cool prints down by the river. As always look but don't touch the wildlife you find.

Address

2221 Freeport Road
Rockton, IL
61072

Telephone

+18156244200

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Macktown Living History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category