By 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau found Loves Park with:
City Size 5.4 square miles
Population 12,390
Median Income $11,436
Persons per Household 3.37
Since this period, Loves Park has continued to prosper. One of the most
celebrated features the city carries on to this day is the Young at Heart
Festival, which began in 1972. The festival includes a parade, pageant,
City Size 5.4 square miles
Population 12,390
Median Income $11,436
Persons per Household 3.37
Since this period, Loves Park has continued to prosper. One of the most
celebrated features the city carries on to this day is the Young at Heart
Festival, which began in 1972. The festival includes a parade, pageant,
Copyright 2010 City of Loves Park. All Rights Reserved.
100 Heart Boulevard
Loves Park, Illinois 61111
Office (815) 654-5030
Fax (815) 633-2359
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm M-F
Loves Park, Illinois 61111
Office (815) 654-5030
Fax (815) 633-2359
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm M-F
Loves Park
Loves Park
Illinois
Illinois
History of Loves Park
In 1901, Rockford industrialist and civic leader Malcolm Love
purchased a 236 acre tract of land along the Rock River.
Love's property served as a gathering place for social events
for several of his industrialist friends and became known as
Love's Park. A railroad soon cut through the area, which
purchased a 236 acre tract of land along the Rock River.
Love's property served as a gathering place for social events
for several of his industrialist friends and became known as
Love's Park. A railroad soon cut through the area, which
population boomed. The community incorporated in 1947 become the City of Loves Park with 4,500 residents and a
municipal government of 8 aldermen and Mayor Homer E. Burton. From 1947-1949, a fire department, police
department, and city hall were established with the help of volunteer contributions. The commercial and industrial sector
continued to rise throughout this period, and the Parkside Citizen, a biweekly ""news sheet," addressed the new
municipal government of 8 aldermen and Mayor Homer E. Burton. From 1947-1949, a fire department, police
department, and city hall were established with the help of volunteer contributions. The commercial and industrial sector
continued to rise throughout this period, and the Parkside Citizen, a biweekly ""news sheet," addressed the new
development and city issues. The 1950 U.S. Census found
Loves Park with the following:
City Size: 2.7 square miles
Population 5,366
Median Income $3,977
Total Dwellings 1,707
Number of Radios 1,590
Number of Televisions 5
Loves Park with the following:
City Size: 2.7 square miles
Population 5,366
Median Income $3,977
Total Dwellings 1,707
Number of Radios 1,590
Number of Televisions 5
The 1950s brought modern growth to Loves Park. The city became a fully functional community, with a variety of
amenities including a train station, grocery stores and food markets, a library, churches, restaurants, and gas stations.
Loves Park had one more great aspect that brought in residents - the lack of a municipal property tax. Still true today,
the city is known as a great place to live with a substantially low cost-of-living. Loves Park provides all of the amenities a
amenities including a train station, grocery stores and food markets, a library, churches, restaurants, and gas stations.
Loves Park had one more great aspect that brought in residents - the lack of a municipal property tax. Still true today,
the city is known as a great place to live with a substantially low cost-of-living. Loves Park provides all of the amenities a
community needs through the collection of sales tax within the
commercial sector. In the 1950s, the Loves Park Toll Bridge,
which crossed the Rock River at Riverside Boulevard and linked
the city to Rockford, was built as a symbol of the growth and
success of Loves Park. The tolls taken at the bridge provided
revenue to pay for the bridge construction over a 40 year period,
however enough toll revenue was accumulated in only 12 years and
the bridge construction was paid off early. Another symbol of the
success and propsperity of the Loves Park area was Kiddieland
Park. This small amusement park provided fun and entertainment
for families, with rides for children and fun for all ages.
commercial sector. In the 1950s, the Loves Park Toll Bridge,
which crossed the Rock River at Riverside Boulevard and linked
the city to Rockford, was built as a symbol of the growth and
success of Loves Park. The tolls taken at the bridge provided
revenue to pay for the bridge construction over a 40 year period,
however enough toll revenue was accumulated in only 12 years and
the bridge construction was paid off early. Another symbol of the
success and propsperity of the Loves Park area was Kiddieland
Park. This small amusement park provided fun and entertainment
for families, with rides for children and fun for all ages.
and carnival rides. The Young at Heart Festival occurs every Memorial Day weekend. For current statistics on the City
of Loves Park, please click
of Loves Park, please click
Learn more about the City of Loves Park in History of Loves Park, Illinois by Craig G. Campbell.
brought with it residential and commercial development. Over
time, the area became its own community. The picture to the
right show's North 2nd Street circa 1915, a muddy road that
follwed the railroad tracks with homes interspersed. As cars
and trains became more common than horses and buggies,
streets were eventually paved and the population
time, the area became its own community. The picture to the
right show's North 2nd Street circa 1915, a muddy road that
follwed the railroad tracks with homes interspersed. As cars
and trains became more common than horses and buggies,
streets were eventually paved and the population