Rochester can trace its roots back to 1819 when James McCoy built the first cabin. Joseph and James McCoy traded a wagon load of coonskins to Elijah Iles in Springfield for four sacks of salt. This was considered the first economic transaction in Sangamon County. For the next fifty years (1819-1869), Rochester grew and prospered with the addition of more families, established businesses; such as saw mills and flour mills, plus a corn and carding mill with a distillery, and a post office. In 1823, the first school was established and classes were held in a log house. Abraham Lincoln was known to visit Rochester on various occasions. As the town of Rochester continued to develop, it was officially incorporated as a village on February 1, 1869.
To view Rochester’s history from 1818 to 1936 click Rochester Timeline!
Hazel Park
Norma Duffey, employee of Rochester State Bank working at the newest in technology…an electric typewriter.
Mrs. Cari Carlson and 1st grade class
Back row: Stella Huffman, Faye Catron
Front row: Virginia Taft, Goldie Clark
Taken side of Coal House at Poffenbarger school
The Cascade/Torrence Mill on the South Fork of the Sangamon River from Lyle Behl
The Cascade/Torrence Mill on the South Fork of the Sangamon River from Lyle Behl
Store at Cascade- photo taken by Georgia Popp Hobbs
Left truck belongs to George Lawley right truck to Nick Smith
Rochester Sesquicentennial 