Sterling, IL

Since the founding of our communities, organizations, businesses and citizens have stepped forward to build and serve their community. Click on any of the logos below to learn about those who made this website possible! If you would like to learn about becoming a sponsor CLICK HERE!

Officially established in 1857, Sterling has been a city of hard-working people, deeply rooted in local industry since that time. Originally home to a few mills powered by the river, the industrial base grew with the country and the small City of Sterling soon became the Hardware Capital of the World. Today, much of that history is still with us, but the City has matured and diversified. The community is now a strong blend of industry, commercial and retail business and residential areas. In fact, Sterling has become a regional retail hub.

All work and no play is no fun! Sterling has an abundance of recreational opportunities. The Rock River provides plenty of summertime fun for the boater, skier, paddler, or fisherman. There are five golf courses in the immediate area, one of which is operated by the Sterling Park District. The Park District also operates a marina and indoor fitness centers. If it’s not here, the great thing about Sterling is that you can always drive just an hour or two at the most in any direction to find what you need. Whether it be professional sports, downhill skiing, Michigan Avenue shopping, riverboat gambling or cruising, major concert events, state parks, or whatever else you seek, Sterling’s a great place to be in the quiet center of it all!

We invite you to explore more of the City of Sterling website to see what Sterling is today, what it offers and what the future holds for the community.