About

When Mr. Whitney first arrived on the banks of the Kishwaukee river in 1835, he was so enraptured with the beauty of the landscape, that in his enthusiasm, he named the place, "Elysian Fields".  Later when Mr. Peck arrived and took over the claims of Dunham and Metcalf the name was changed to Belvidere, which means "beautiful to view".

In 1835, the census figures show 37 men, women and children as residents.  Today, the figure has increased to 25,585 according to the 2010 Census.  The original town of Belvidere was laid out on the north side of the river, with the usual town square upon which the County Courthouse was built.  However, when the railroad located on the south side in 1851, the business section gradually moved south, and that is the location of "downtown" today.