The History of Rockome Gardens

      The land that is now known as Rockome Gardens was once used just for farming. Little did those farmers know all those years ago that this same land would have thousands of visitors passing through it for many years to come.
        The founders of Rockome Gardens were Arthur and Elizabeth Martin. The Martins started off with a dream to have the largest flower garden in Douglas County.  They purchased this 208 acre farm, five miles west of Arcola, and  decided to devote 7 acres of the farm to flower gardens, rock formations and their summer cottage. Work toward development of the gardens has been going on since 1937.  Arthur Martin was the owner of Progress Industries in Arthur, IL., and work was slow due to the war and the depression. Instead of letting his workers become unemployed, Martin sent them out to construct rock formations and fences on his property.  The first gardens to be constructed were the sunken gardens. Construction of the rockwork began first with a metal framework, then a special consistency of concrete was imbedded into the frame, followed by native stone being set into the concrete. 85-90% of the stone was local rocks from Rockome's property, as well as neighboring properties.  The perennial gardens were constructed next, just east of the sunken gardens.  The Martins loved to travel, and it is thought that some of the inspiration for the rock formations was the Catholic Holy Ghost Park in Dickeyville, Wisconsin, which was constructed in the 1920's.  The Martins  continued expanding and beautifying their summer home, and eventually word got around about how beautiful it was out at Rockome or 'Martinome'. Many visitors started to drive by and look at the interesting rockwork and the beautiful gardens. Some would call this place "Martin's Rock home". He liked that idea, so he dropped the "h" and called it Rockome.  The Martins decided to share their gardens with everyone who came by to see them, charging no admission.   As Arthur Martin said, "It is merely our donation to your happiness to make us both forget war, strife, jealousy, death and destruction". 
        In 1952, the Martins moved on to other interests and gave Rockome to the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities of Elkhart, IN., who used it as a retirement village. They built two cabins which were used for the missionaries. The missionaries soon realized, however, that this was not the kind of retirement village they wanted, and subsequently sold Rockome to Elvan and Irene Yoder in 1959. Mr. Yoder's first instinct was to start farming the area, because that is what he had been doing his whole life. He soon realized the potential of this land and started opening it to the public. The first attractions the Yoder's added to the park were buggy rides, tours of an Amish home, and a small gift shop. The first gift shop was located where the candy shop is now. The two windows that swing up were used as the front of the gift shop, which was no bigger than an 8'x10' room. Elvan quoted that if he would sell $100 worth of gifts it would wipe out his entire inventory. The gift shop was then moved to what is now Harvest Time, but eventually something even larger was required, so Irene's Gift shop was built in 1968.  In 1968 there were also other  new things added to Rockome Gardens,such as the tree house, lookout tower, antique museum, haunted barn, and ice cream shop. The dairy barn, which was original to the property, was turned into the Rock Shop. This shop was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Whetstone whom traveled to Arizona in the winter to collect their rocks. In the years to follow Bill Burnett would operate this shop. 
        Elvan enjoyed history and wanted to preserve it.  Bagdad was a settlement just on the other side of the river to Rockome, settled in the 1800's. Elvan tried to replicate Bagdad by having a grist mill, blacksmiths shop, and some small specialty shops constructed at Rockome.  He also bought three old "one room school houses", East Prairie School and the Bolinger Schools, and brought them to the property.      
       In 1970, Elvan and Irene decided they needed a place for people to eat. Up to this point they had only had a  snack bar, but they wanted something better. They started serving soup and shoofly pie out of their bakery and then finally opened the Family Style Restaurant in 1977.
       The Yoder's, like the Martins, enjoyed traveling. The Yoder's took several trips to Silver Dollar City in Missouri and an Amish settlement in Pennsylvania for ideas to bring back to Rockome. They also were inspired to build the "bottle houses" after visiting Knott's Berry Farm in California. There is no doubt that Elvan and Irene enjoyed running their family business. It was hard work for the whole family but the sacrifice proved successful.  Elvan Yoder passed away in 1993, and his wife and sons continued to run Rockome Gardens.
       In 2005, the Yoders sold the property to a group of investors.  It was sold again in 2006, and the new owners added kayaking and horseback riding. Unfortunately, they also demolished the beloved but deteriorated "bottle houses".  In 2008, Rockome was sold again, and the building once known as Blucker Hall was renovated into an Amish Cheese Factory and Bulk Food store.
       In January, 2011, Steve and Bev Maher with Rockome Gardens Preservation, Inc. purchased Rockome Gardens.  They had been visiting for years, and noticed that Rockome was in need of major repairs and renovations.  Steve felt it was God's will to have a change in his life, and they are intent upon bringing warmth and beauty back to Rockome.  They are making Rockome Gardens a place where families can come to relax and find inspiration.   Steve and Bev enjoy the restoration work as well as the Amish community, and look forward to sharing it all with their many visitors.