Several attempts were made to settle the area, but it was only in 1866 that Thomas Lovewell settled the town permanently. White Rock was formally laid out in 1871 and school began to be taught that same year. It was considered a desirable location because of its land qualities.
The town was located on the west side of the Republican River in the White Rock township, approximately 14 miles northwest of Belleville. It was the first settlement in the county west of the Republican River. In 1873 there were three general stores, a sawmill, a corn mill and a hotel.
Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of White Rock Township. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
1892Concordia sheet · 1:125,000
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of White Rock Township.
On the National Register
2 historic places in White Rock Township
The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From the National Register of Historic Places (2), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
