City of Genoa
Moving Forward With a Purpose
Genoa was created by the events of the time and the people who passed through, as well as those who chose to stay and call Genoa home. Trees bent to mark the pioneers' way are still prevalent.
Located in the northeast corner of DeKalb County, Genoa's Main Street runs on the line of the historical Galena-Chicago trail. One of Genoa's first buildings is the old stagecoach building known as the Pacific House, which still stands at 501 W. Main St. The City was settled and developed as early as 1835 by Thomas Madison, a Revolutionary War soldier from Ashtabuhla County, Ohio. He named Genoa after a town of the same name in New York State.
In a daybook belonging to Thomas Madison, the town's first storekeeper, entries of sales have been found from as early as May 12, 1843. The original town consisted of four blocks. The first industries were a distillery and a sawmill. Genoa was incorporated as a village in 1876, and as a city on Sept. 9, 1911. During its early history flourished primarily as an agricultural community.
The business district of Genoa is located generally along Main Street (Route 72), and consists primarily of small retail shops, restaurants and service establishments to serve the residential and agricultural community. The City encompasses an area of approximately 2.5 square miles and as an older, well-established residential community; the City retains characteristics of a rural environment as well as a community subject to new residential and commercial growth. The City of Genoa is primarily a residential community with 75 percent of the 1997 tax base classified as residential and 25 percent as commercial and industrial. Population growth of the City has been steady over the years.
Click here for a Genoa area map.
Genoa is located at the intersection of State Routes 72 and 23, and nearby access to Interstate 90 (Northwest Tollway) is available at the U.S. 20 interchange within 13 miles and at the Belvidere interchange within 14 miles. Interstate 88 (East-West Tollway) is located 15 miles south of Genoa. O'Hare International Airport is within 35 miles along I-90 and the Greater Rockford Metropolitan Airport is within 25 miles.
The Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society
The Milwaukee Road Depot and Museum perhaps best represent Genoa's respect for its history and its strong desire to preserve the past. In 1977, the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society was formed to bring together area people who had an interest in local and regional history and its preservation. To that end, the Society was responsible for moving the old Milwaukee Road Depot from its original location on North Sycamore Street to its present home on Park Avenue, where it serves as a museum and depository of much of Genoa's rich history in the form of photos and artifacts. The Milwaukee Road Depot represents an era when the railroad was the center of activity for Genoa and the surrounding areas. The original passenger-freight depot was built in 1882. A brick platform was installed in 1906 and electricity added in 1912.