The area served as an important trading point and included a sawmill, a gristmill, a blacksmith, hotel, and various stores.

During this era, Rockville served as a stagecoach stop for those heading west of the Mississippi River.

[2] As Delhi and Dyersville grew, the town's role as a stagecoach declined and would virtually vanish by the end of the 19th century.

Remnants of its history can be seen in Rockville Cemetery, which includes veterans of the Civil[5] and Mexican Wars,[6] and the nearby remains of an old mill, which resides at the North Fork of the Maquoketa River.

The hilly area, still traversed by gravel roads, now consists primarily of farms and woodland.