Rockton buildings approved for  landmark status

Local Landmark status was approved by the Rockton Village Board of Trustees at August and September meetings  for  buildings at 120  W. Main St., and at 201 W. Main St. 

The late era Victorian, which now houses Pick A Dilly Antiques at 120 W. Main Street dates back to 1908.

In  past  years the property was operated as a meat market, then a  general store by Luther Hopkins.

John and Sheryl Peterson, Real Estate Brokers, Peterson and Co. Homes, Real Broker, LLC. currently resides at 201 W. Main St. 

The building has  been the home to the Daily Grind, retail shops and a wedding store. 

This brings the current total of local landmarks in Rockton to a total of six. 

Rockton has a large number of historic buildings, most falling in the Rockton Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 1978. 

“The owner of any building within the Rockton Historic District may apply for Landmark status. 

They must fill out an extensive application, which is reviewed by the Village’s Historic Preservation Commission,” said Community Development Director Mark Henderson. 

Henderson adds “Their review is a thorough one, and establishes that several different criteria are met. The commission will then vote on whether or not to approve the application. That vote is not binding , but instead serves as a recommendation to the full Village Board of Trustees who then cast a final vote to determine whether or not a building becomes a “Local Landmark.”

Once the building is given Landmark status, any improvements to the building are subject to much more stringent standards, in order to preserve the historic design and character.

Criteria to be considered for the  honor of receiving Historic Landmark status involves an examination of the property, age, integrity and significance. A structure must be at least fifty years old and look authentic of a past era.

Each property is given a plaque to signify this honor.  

The first place  to become a  Local  landmark was 203 W. Franklin. This  single family limestone home was built in 1869.

On Aug. 9,2017  the Rockton Township Historical Society Green Street Museum received Landmark status.   

The Society was formed in 1952 with 100 Charter members with the purpose to prevent the demolition of the Stephen Mack home- which now sits on property in Macktown Forest Preserve. Rockton Woman’s Club took action toward restoring and preserving the building. 

The Carriage House Museum is a Greek revival structure. The building is a one and a half story with an uncommon hip grout masonry structure,  built in 1856.  

This may be the only grout masonry building in Rockton.

What is now known as the Green Street museum was originally a single family home. The first owners were Amos and Sarah Fassett. 

John B. Peterson took over ownership in the 1850’s but it is unclear if he ever lived in the residence. Most notably the family of Marble D. Keeney, proprietor of the M.D. Paper Mill lived there from 1868 until 1886.” 

In August, 1993 the Rockton Township Historical Society purchased the house for additional museum space. Two additions have been completed, the Carriage House in 1999 and the expansion to that along with the connector to the house in 2003. 

The property is shown on an 1871 map. In 1974 The Rockton Township Historical was listed on the National Register of Historic places.

Based on the museum's value in the Rockton community a nomination was submitted to the State Historic Preservation office. 

The Green Quarter, a landscape and design company in Rockton received a Historic Landmark status in a special dedication, held on July 21, 2021.   

This historic building sits at 109 S. Blackhawk Blvd. and has been owned by Tricia Davey for many years. 

The original office of what was once Manley Sand which started in 1907 and later became Martin Marietta was at the current location of the Green Quarter. Later the office moved to 110 E. Main St., now the Village Municipal Center- Rockton Village Hall. 

Several additions were made to the building through the years. 

This building was used as residence, as office space and still has the original walk-in safes, one on the first floor and one in the basement.

Davey personally  worked on restoring the building along with former Rockton Historic Preservation Chair, Rory Mulligan of Mulligan Restoration. 

Another landmark is at the George Royden historic  home at 119 W. Chapel St. It is a Stick Victorian Style. Details of construction show that the home was constructed pre-1939, most likely in the late 1860’s or mid 1870’s. 

Mr. Royden owned and operated the main grocery store in Rockton. His son William was the druggist in the store. 

Macktown Construction Group worked on the home's restoration. 

Nominations are accepted by property owners, historical society’s, governmental agencies, individuals or groups. 

Criteria to be considered for this honor involve an examination of the property, age, integrity and significance. A structure must be at least fifty years old and look authentic of a past era. 

Identification signs have been added  around town to signify that specific locations are in the National Historic District, to  help with preservation and to raise and promote public awareness. 

“At this time there are no other buildings that have  had submitted applications for Landmark status, but there may be one or two that come either in late 2026 or sometime in 2027, “Henderson said.