Rockford

May 28, 2025

Rockford

Rockford could easily be forgotten. It is a small rural community located in the hills of Surry County along the Yadkin River. After the last passenger train passed through Rockford in 1951, it would be another decade before a one-lane bridge was built over the Yadkin to connect the community to nearby Boonville.

Yet, Rockford has a history and a story, and while not as important as it once was, a visit to Rockford provides a glimpse into its proud past.

Rockford served as the Surry County Seat from 1790 to 1851. A year earlier, Yadkin County was carved out of Surry County, and Rockford was no longer centrally convenient to Surry County residents. The county seat moved to the newly established town of Dobson, where it remains to this day.

The Mark York Tavern - established in 1830 - is a stop on the North Carolina Civil War Trail.

When you visit Rockford today, numerous buildings, some over two centuries old, have been preserved for the casual visitor to observe. Thanks to the efforts of the Rockford Preservation Society, the Rockford Historic District was created and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. A dozen buildings are included within the district.

The Rockford General Store wasn't open yet when I visited.

Rockford embraces adventure tourism as it is home to Yadkin River Adventures. Yadkin River Adventures is a full-service outfitter offering kayak and canoe tours along the Yadkin River. Rockford is also located on the Mountains-To-Sea Trail. The Rockford General Store is also a popular destination. Operating nearly continuously since the 1890s, the store is a throwback to the classic general and country stores of the past.

The restored Rockford United Methodist Church was one of several projects the Rockford Preservation Society has taken on.

The Rockford Preservation Society has preserved many of the community's historic buildings. They include the Rockford Methodist Church, where they also commissioned a fresco within the building, the former post office, now a craft gallery, preserving the site of the former Grant-Burrus Hotel into a public park, and more.

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