
As you check out Rockford as a possible new home, you'll soon learn this city has given the country more than just manufacturing breakthroughs and scenic landscapes. Our real estate agents often tell newcomers the fun tale of how Rockford became forever tied to one of America's most loved handcrafted toys: the sock monkey.
Your exploration of Rockford's sock monkey heritage starts with the Nelson Knitting Company

Rockford earned the nickname "Screw City" for a reason. For many years, the city was full of factories making screws, tools, and other hardware that kept farms, factories, and machines running across the country. The name made sense. It showed that Rockford was a place built on hard work, skilled workers, and people who took pride in making things that worked well.
The city is known by many names, including "Forest City" and "City of Gardens," but "Screw City" is an enduring name that honors a proud blue-collar tradition.