Rockford, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Geography
Rockford is situated along the Yadkin RiverYadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
in the Rockford Township
Rockford Township, Surry County, North Carolina
Rockford Township is one of fifteen townships in Surry County, North Carolina. The township had a population of 1,780 according to the 2000 census....
of southern Surry County. Rockford sits along the former Southern Railway, now used by the Yadkin Valley Railroad
Yadkin Valley Railroad
The Yadkin Valley Railroad is the trade name of the Piedmont and Atlantic Railroad and is a shortline railroad operating two lines leased from the Norfolk Southern Railway originating out of Rural Hall, North Carolina for a distance of...
, which follows the Yadkin River through Surry County.
History
Rockford was founded in 1790 to be the county seatCounty seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Surry after Surry was split to form Stokes County
Stokes County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 44,711 people, 17,579 households, and 13,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 99 people per square mile . There were 19,262 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile...
(including then modern-day Forsyth County
Forsyth County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 306,067 people, 123,851 households, and 81,741 families residing in the county. The population density was 747 people per square mile . There were 133,093 housing units at an average density of 325 per square mile...
as well as Stokes). The community was incorporated in 1819 but has been municipally inactive for many years . When the portion of Surry County south of the Yadkin River was used to create Yadkin County
Yadkin County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Boonville*East Bend*Jonesville*Yadkinville-Towns of the past:These towns were incorporated at one time:*Arlington, merged with Jonesville in 2001.*Hamptonville, chartered in 1818.*Huntsville, incorporated in 1792....
in 1851, the county government was moved to Dobson
Dobson, North Carolina
Dobson is a town in Dobson Township, Surry County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,457. It is the county seat of Surry County...
. Several notable historical structures from the village's period as county seat are still standing, including the former county courthouse.
Ferries shuttled people across the Yadkin River
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
at Rockford until 1900, when piano-seller R.F. Bland charged a quarter to cross a bridge he built that connected the river's banks with an island. Floods swept away the bridge in the 1930s.
In 1962, a one-lane, low-water bridge was built to link the community with the nearest town, Boonville
Boonville, North Carolina
This page is about the town in North Carolina. For other communities of the same name, see Boonville Boonville is a town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States...
. A community group fought unsuccessfully to save the bridge. A modern high-rise bridge was built in 2002.
Attractions
- Rockford General Store is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists. The store, with its uneven wooden floors, glass jars of candy and old photos of Rockford, retains much of its original charm. The store first opened about 1890.
- Rockford Methodist Church was built in 1913. Although it was closed by the Methodist Conference in 1967, it is still used for special events. The building includes a frescoFrescoFresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
by North Carolina artist Tony Griffin called "Come Unto Me." The work was dedicated in 1989 as part of the village's 200th anniversary celebration. - Historic Rockford Inn Bed and Breakfast (ca. 1848) is situated at the crest of more than 6 acres (24,281.2 m²)
- The Masonic Lodge, circa 1797
Rockford’s Masonic hall was built around 1797 for the Unanimity Lodge Number 34 of the Masonic Order. After a new charter was granted in 1866, the lodge was renamed Rockford Lodge Number 251. The wood-and-stone lodge has been evaluated by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources and officials from the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. It is believed to be the oldest Masonic hall in northwestern North Carolina. Many of the most prominent members of the Rockford community attended meetings in this building. In 1848, the Baptist State Convention also was held there. In the late 19th century, the W.P. Dobson & Company mercantile business operated on the first floor. The business was owned by Charles B. Davis, W.P. Dobson III and G.M. Burrus.
In 1914, a 200 square feet (18.6 m²) addition was built onto the Masonic hall. That portion of the building served as Rockford’s last U.S. Post Office between 1914 and 1975 and still has original counter window bars and mail slots. The Masonic building, along with two adjacent properties, were purchased by Evelyn Holyfield and her brother, Robert Hardin Holyfield, in 1970. Following their deaths, the Holyfield family on Dec. 31, 2001 donated all three properties to the Rockford Preservation Society.
Events
- The Rockford Sweet Potato Festival has been held annually in September since 1996. The festival is a brainchild of the late Annie Barnette, the owner of the Rockford General Store from 1972 until her death in 2004. The festival includes music, crafts and sweet potato sonker.
- Rockford Candlelight Christmas serves as a kick off for the holiday season. The service is held at the Rockford Methodist Church.