The Rockford Preservation Society, Inc. was organized in 1972 for the purpose of stabilizing and preserving the town of Rockford. The town of Rockford was established by legislative act in 1789 and served as the county seat of Surry County until 1853. Surry County at that time encompassed present day Yadkin County.

The town grew with hotels, taverns, mills and general stores springing up to accommodate the influx of persons to the county seat. Rockford became a commercial center, as well as the hub of county and private business transactions. In 1797, the Unanimity Lodge No. 34 of the Masonic Order was chartered and moved to Rockford from Huntsville, south of the Yadkin River. After a new charter was granted in 1866, the Lodge became the Rockford Lodge No. 251. The Masonic Lodge is thought to be the oldest in northwest North Carolina. Many notables of the day, including Andrew Jackson, Aaron Burr, and James K. Polk were visitors in Rockford. James K. Polk's cousin, William Polk Dobson, was one of Rockford's most prominent citizens, serving in the North Carolina Sentate for thirteen years and having the present day Surry County seat, Dobson, named for him and his family. Judge Richmond Pearson presided at courts in Rockford many times in the 1840's and in 1848 built his law school just across the Yadkin River. During its operation from 1848 - 1878, approximately 1,000 law students benefited from his teachings. He became Chief Justice of North Carolina in 1868. The town of Rockford was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and the Society was incorporated the same year.

All of the properties owned by the Preservation Society as well as many other privately owned properties represent Rockford's unique history. There are many points of interest in the Rockford community that include the Rockford General Store and many other historic buildings.

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