1815Military
Congressman
Jeanne Gang award-winning architect, founder of Studio Gang Architects
Stephen Augustus Hurlbut (1815–1882), politician and Union commander in the Civil War
Noyes L.
1835Government
The area that developed as Belvidere was first permanently settled by European Americans in 1835: Simon P.
1851Architecture
In 1851 the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was built south of the river, stimulating relocation of much of the business section to the south side of the river, for access to ...
1852Architecture
The line opened from Marengo to Rockford in 1852.
1883Government
Belvidere's public library, Ida Public Library, was founded in 1883.
1886Infrastructure
Major industries developed along the river and railroad, including the National Sewing Machine Company, which operated here from 1886 to the 1940s.
1906Government
In 1906, former female sheriff Sarah Ames moved to South Dakota; she named the area where she settled after her home town.
1912Architecture
The current building, a Carnegie Library, was constructed in 1912 and opened in 1913.
1936Culture
The Boone County Museum of History was started in 1936 and holds over 100,000 artifacts.
1967Disaster
=== 1967 tornado ===
On April 21, 1967, a devastating tornado struck Belvidere.
1969History
Bogardus, sociologist
Joe Charboneau, outfielder and designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians
Judith Ford, 1969 Miss America
Charles Eugene Fuller, U.S.
1987Architecture
An addition was built in 1987.
1999History
Joseph's closing in 1999.
2005Economy
The Belvidere plant manufactured the Dodge Neon until the spring of 2005.
2006History
It is the county seat, with an estimated 2006 county population of over 52,000.
2007Education
In 2007 a statue was erected in front of Belvidere High School in memorial of the lives lost.
2008Architecture
In 2008, SwedishAmerican Hospital opened a new building.
2009Disaster
=== 2009 explosion ===
On December 7, 2009, an explosion occurred at an NDK America building, when a large pressure vessel ruptured during a crystal-growing process.
2010Economy
Following their own 2010 investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined NDK more than half a million dollars for willful disregard for legal requirements...
2013Disaster
As of 2013, the Belvidere tornado was the sixth worst weather disaster to happen at an American school, and the deadliest since 1955.
2015History
The NDK facility was demolished in 2015, with no plans to rebuild.
2020History
== Demographics ==
As of the 2020 census there were 25,339 people, 8,940 households, and 5,891 families residing in the city.
2023Disaster
=== 2023 tornado ===
On March 31, 2023, an EF1 tornado struck Belvidere.
2027Culture
Rail service is scheduled to resume in Belvidere in 2027 as part of the Rockford Intercity Passenger Rail project connecting Rockford to Chicago.