to
Update
, Illinois is a small community located on the south east side of Rockford in the Kishwaukee River valley in Winnebago County and Boone County, Illinois. The population was 2,191 at the 2000 census. Its current population (2007) is estimated at 3,042.
Cherry Valley is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cherry Valley was settled in either 1835 or 1839, depending on your source, by Joseph Griggs, and incorporated as a village on January 31st 1857. Early landmark events for Cherry Valley was the establishment of a mill on the Kishwaukee river, and the coming of the railroad in 1852.
, and then other names, none of which were found suitable. Accordingly the leaders in the Village decided to change the name; people could make choices and put their suggestions in a hat. A Mrs. Butler, from Cherry Valley, New York placed the name of Cherry Valley in the hat and that name won. The core of the Village, centered on its main street businesses in small brick buildings, is surrounded by several blocks of houses built in the 1800s. This late 19th century appearance is further accentuated by turn of the century style lamp lights as well as the original brick paving along the eastern end of main street.