Janesville

Janesville is a small city and the county seat of Rock County in southern Wisconsin. The Rock River flows through the city, linking several neighborhoods with recreational areas along its banks.

After the Black Hawk War of 1832, Henry F. Janes and John Inman founded the settlement. The city grew into an agricultural center before a General Motors plant began producing tractors and vehicles in 1919.

The city takes its name from Henry F. Janes, an early settler who founded the community with John Inman. Today, locals gather at events across town and use parks along the Rock River for leisure activities throughout the seasons.

Buses connect the main districts, shopping centers, and educational institutions on a regular schedule. Visitors will find several parks and leisure paths along the river that are easy to reach on foot or by bike.

A former General Motors plant produced tractors and vehicles from 1919 to 2008. The factory shaped the local economy for nearly nine decades and employed thousands of workers.

Location: Rock County

Inception: 1853

Elevation above the sea: 260 m

Website: https://ci.janesville.wi.us

GPS coordinates: 42.68547,-89.01363

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:49