The first transcontinental highway in the United States, the Lincoln Highway, passed through Rochelle, as did US-51, one of the first highways to go the full north–south length of the United States. Both these roads have diminished in importance (and are now state highways 38 and 251, respectively), but Rochelle continues to be crossed by major highways, especially Interstates 88 and 39. Besides roadways, Rochelle is also crossed by two major rail lines; the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway mainlines cross inside of the city limits. The effect, as seen on a map, was one of the spokes of an old wagon wheel meeting at the "hub", and thus the nickname was born. Today, literally dozens of businesses carry the moniker "Hub City", including furniture stores, shopping centers, realty firms, dry cleaners, and many others. Even the local high school's teams are known as the "Hubs". Rochelle was once a stop for passenger trains operated by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and its successor, the Burlington Northern, such as North Coast Limited. The town saw its last passenger train in 1971, and in 2007, the depot, which had been built in 1921, was demolished. Notable people Joan Allen, actress Joanna Baker, professor of ancient languages Delos W. Baxter, Illinois state senator, lawyer, and mayor of Rochelle Stan Campbell, pro football player Mabel Craft Deering, journalist, born in Rochelle William Gehring, Professor of Cognitive Psychology and one of the discoverers of Error Related Negativity Lloyd Ingraham, actor Paul R. Lawrence, Harvard professor and pioneer of contingency theory William W. May, American athlete, competed in the 1908 London Olympics, Rochelle Township High School graduate and 1905 State Champion in the 50 yard dash Daniel Van Kirk, comedian Judith C. Toth, member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1975–1990) Notable buildings William H. Holcomb House City and Town Hall Flagg Township Public Library The Hub Theater See also Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on the meat industry in the United States References External links Cities in Illinois Cities in Ogle County, Illinois