For decades, Old River and Roscoe roads served as thoroughfares for tractors and combines.

The intersection, just south of Rockton’s southern border, was once home to miles of rolling hills and quiet farmland.

Today, it is an example of how sleepy farm communities become busy suburbs, with little fanfare and seemingly overnight.

In the past decade, hundreds of homes and condominiums have been built — a conservative count puts the number at more than 1,000 — within a mile of the intersection. And more are on the way.

And all those rooftops mean commercial development can’t be far behind.

Rockton President Dale Adams doesn’t think a full-fledged commercial corridor, like the Wal-Mart development north of the village, will find a home there.

But he would welcome smaller commercial developments as the village’s southern corridor takes shape.

The bulk of the massive residential development, however, will be part of the village of Roscoe.

Village President Dave Krienke said he doesn’t see the corridor as a site for large retail or manufacturing facilities mostly because of the roads, which are not designed to handle big trucks.

But just to the west, Illinois 2 is a different story. The state has major plans for improvements along the two-lane highway.

“Most of (the commercial development) will be near or along 2,” Krienke said.
Wayne Vlk, assistant Winnebago County engineer, said the county has no immediate plans to change the intersection or Old River and Roscoe roads. But long term, he thinks four lanes could be in place there someday.

In the meantime, the village of Rockton is determined to retain and create green space as the area continues to develop.

Local developer Phil Dean is working with Spring Creek Development on plans for 680 acres located near the intersection.

Studies are under way to help developers determine the best way to retain much of the site’s charm and protect its natural features, Dean said. Plenty of open space and amenities such as an equestrian facility are some of the ideas being considered, Dean said.

“We are looking at the best uses for the property,” he said. “There are wetlands on the site, and we are still working with the (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) on that. It is such a resource to the community, we don’t want to overdevelop it.”

The Village Board is forming a conservation committee made up of officials, experts and residents to create more eco-friendly ordinances.

LaVonne Brown, one of the key organizers of last summer’s America in Bloom effort, said a core group of volunteers cares about the historic and natural beauty of Rockton.
Their desire and expertise can be tapped, she said, as the village grows to the south.

“We learned a lot from the (America in Bloom) committee, that preserving green space is so critical right now,” Brown said. “While we have no formal plan yet, we’ll continue to work on beautification efforts here.”

Carol Lamb, executive director of the Rockton Chamber of Commerce, said she hopes the village will listen to its residents as it continues to grow its commercial base downtown or in its outlying areas.

“I think what we need to do is target businesses people want to shop at and work hard to bring in those types of stores,” she said.

Long-term plans call for the village’s southern boundary to reach Latham Road, Adams said.  

“We are looking at some commercial (development),” Adams said. “But I don’t see anything like big-box stores in that area.”

Staff writer Rob Baxter can be reached at 815-987-1369 or rbaxter@rrstar.com.