Rome, Illinois: A Town’s History by the River

The history of Rome, Illinois, can be traced through early plans and various transportation routes. Accounts of steamboats, railroads, and stagecoaches offer tangible clues to this history. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you might consider whether the historical development or a planned activity on the river will be the main focus of your stay.

The Marina on the Illinois River

An older navigation chart lists Hamm’s Holiday Harbor as a marina in Rome, Illinois. It is located on the Illinois River at mile 178.6, on the right bank when facing downstream. The bank is determined from the perspective of the flowing water: the right bank is on your right when you look in the direction of the current.

Tube rentals are permitted with the 25-foot pontoon rentals at Holiday Harbor Marina. Specific requirements apply when using a rented tube: everyone riding on the tube must wear appropriate life jackets, and a qualified person must be present at all times while it is being towed. Check current operations and rental rules before making specific plans, as they may change.

Early Town Plans and Transportation History

The original town plan of Rome, dating to 1832, included 23 blocks and a public square. It is among the very earliest town plans recorded in Peoria County. The figures give the early settlement a tangible scale: the plan shows numerous blocks alongside a public square.

In 1835, Rome was an important steamboat landing. For a time, the town was the terminus for shipping goods by railroad and river. A large warehouse at the river landing transferred goods between boats and the railroad. These details bring the landing’s role in historic freight traffic to life.

A connecting line was also part of this transportation history: it was built to link Rome’s main railroad line to the river. A state road running through Rome became part of the stagecoach route from Peoria to Chicago. The transfer of goods between boats and rail, and the stagecoach route, thus represent different historic transportation links.

On October 10, 1835, Isaac Underhill laid out a village also called Rome, with 44 blocks and a public square. It is uncertain whether this area included the earlier village, owing to the imprecise land description. The plans from 1832 and 1835 therefore mark two dated moments in the town’s history; their exact spatial relationship is uncertain.

Putting Rome in Perspective for Your Trip

When searching for a vacation rental, you can start by asking what you’d like to experience in Rome: the early town plans and transportation history offer a historical focus, while tube rentals are a specific activity at the marina. If you plan to do the latter, check current operations in advance and follow the requirements for life jackets and supervision.

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