You could say that Rock Falls has a rockin' native son, and you'd be right. Noted jazz drummer Louie Bellson was born here in 1924 and, at age 15, went on to pioneer the double-bass drum setup that's integral to today's jazz and heavy-metal music. He went on to excel in the music world, marry actress and singer Pearl Bailey, and log the second highest number of White House appearances (Bob Hope takes first place for that honor.) When he died in 2009, jazz great Duke Ellington mourned the loss of "the world's greatest drummer." It's no wonder that one of the most anticipated annual events in Rock Falls, until Bellson's death, was Louie Bellson Heritage Days, a festival that the jazz great attended in his honor.
Rock Falls is located in northwestern Illinois, just east of the Iowa border and south of the Wisconsin border. Just over 9,200 residents call the 3.8-square-mile city home, according to last census count. The Rock River runs through the city and separates Rock Falls from its sister city, Sterling which is on river's northern banks. Originally, Rock Falls was a farming community, and today many of its traditions are steeped in those agricultural roots.
Moving to Rock Falls
Whether you're looking for 1 bedroom apartments, detached rental homes, or multi-family duplexes for rent in Rock Falls and its surrounding areas, you'll find plenty of options.
Oldies but Goodies
While much of the housing stock here is older (new-constructions are limited), the buildings are well-built. Remember, newer isn't always indicative of quality. You can look forward to finding a home with character and charm. Perhaps the best news about living here is that it's cheap. Rental homes in Rock Falls are abundant and reasonably priced. You'll also discover that many of the apartments for rent here roll your utilities into the monthly rent. So you should be able to find an all utilities paid apartment.
Your house-hunting experience should be pretty easy and hassle-free. Rock Falls isn't a big city, so you won't have to contend with rush-hour traffic or have trouble finding your way around. Illinois does get plenty of snow in winter and occasionally the town shuts down for excessive snow and ice. But really, all you'll need to do is show up (when there's not a blizzard) armed with a list of places you want to check out and money to cover first month's rent and a security deposit. It's smart also to bring a list of references and be prepared in the event that a landlord wants to run a credit or criminal background check, although they probably won't.
Rock Falls Neighborhoods
Much of Rock Falls' housing isn't contained in defined "neighborhoods." Lots of homes are simply "by the river," for example. But there are a couple neighborhoods you should still check out.
City Center. This neighborhood consists of inexpensive mostly medium-sized three- and four- bedroom homes and smaller apartment buildings. It's a well-established 'hood where you'll find older homes and apartments (many circa 1940 to 1969) with good bones. These places were built back when builders valued work more than getting a high number of houses up ASAP. Besides the charm and cheap rents, City Center puts you right smack in the middle of the action. You'll be a short ride away from Corner Tap, Lamb's Tap, and W&D Cardwell's, all popular meeting places for locals who want to enjoy good, cheap stick-to-your rib food and stay to watch a band and throw back a few pints.
Yeoward Addition. This comprises smaller single-family homes and apartment complexes, as well as high rise apartments and condos. The majority of residences in this area were built in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. While there aren't many shops, bars, and restaurants in the actual neighborhood, downtown Rock Falls is just two miles west. Surely you can manage that commute! Your reward will be dinner at the Candlelight Inn, a Rock Falls Institution for 40-plus years or maybe a margarita at La Familia Mexican restaurant. You'll also be close to most of your errands (Grummert's Hardware, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.)
Living in Rock Falls
If you enjoy being outdoors, spending time communing with nature, and whiling away the weekends at festivals and farmers' markets, you'll love living here. Rock Falls boasts 19 parks spread out across more than 100 acres. These parks offer boating fishing, picnicking, sports fields, hiking and the like.
A few of the most popular parks are Centennial Park, which has a lagoon where you can rent a paddle boat or canoe; Crystal Lake Recreation Park, which features a man-made swimming lake and sandy beach, zip lines and a Go Kart track; and Hennepin Canal State Park with 100 miles of trails and waterways.
Festivals, anyone? You've come to the right place. Here's a sampling: Hometown Holidays is where you can help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to town and view a tree-lighting ceremony and parade; At Fiesta Days commemorate Mexican Independence day in September; and Summer Splash Days is a two-day festival sponsored the by the Chamber of Commerce that welcomes summer with entertainment and a wild-game cookout. Nothing says summer like grilled antelope!
Rock Falls also is home to Rock River Country Club, where members enjoy golf, swimming, and dining at the supper club. If you're not a Country Club type, you'll also find socializing opportunities through the city's active Optimist Club, which sponsors such popular events as an annual kid's fishing derby and Touch A Truck & Corn Boil Family Day. On this day kids can, as you may guess, get up close and personal with fire trucks, farm trucks, national guard trucks, as well as helicopters and postal vehicles. Rock Falls Family YMCA is another popular meeting place. It also sponsors fun events like the annual Running of the Santa's Fun Run.
If you're in the mood to catch a movie, just head across the river to Sterling, where you'll find the old-time Midway Drive In, the Sterling Theater, and a couple of other options.
There's plenty to do in Rock Falls, but it is not by any means a "big city." Fortunately, when you live here you can easily hop onto I-88 or Route 30 and get to Rockford , the Quad Cities or Chicago in less than a couple of hours. In Rock Falls you'll live a laid-back life with a friendly small-town feel, but be able to get your city fix fairly easily and make it home in time to watch the sun set over the river.
