Welcome to the Sandhills

Rock County was formed by a dedicated and hardy group of pioneer settlers as settlement began in approximately 1878 by a generation of people searching for land of their own and a life of peace and tranquility.  They formed a county and communities of which they were very proud and where they raised their children with the morals and ethics of hardworking parents.

Rock County was proclaimed in 1888.  Communities were built throughout Rock County with names like Hammond; Bassett; Rose; Duff; Pony Lake; Eureka Valley; Kirksville; Newport; Sybrant; Miner; Sheldon; Mariaville.  Rock County now consists of two towns of Bassett and Newport but the small communities within rural Rock County continue to be an integral part of the County as a whole.

We offer excellent hunting and fishing opportunities; unique ranches; river canoeing and swimming; golfing; hiking.  Each area of Rock County is unique in it’s river valleys, sandhills, meadows and tree lined creeks.

The dedication of our ancestors continues in our communities today.  Agriculture is the basis of the county's economy and although we have had upswings and downfalls, we continue to persevere and are proud of our accomplishments.