About Rocke's Meating Haus

1937 - Rocke's Cold Storage was founded by J.S. Rocke as a customer butcher shop in Central Illinois. - Grandpa Jesse builds the original and only firebrick oven smokehouse still used today to produce Rocke's famous hickory smoked hams, turkeys, and bacon. 1942 - During the war years, Rocke's expanded the retail side of the business and began selling premium smoked meats for holiday gifts. 1950 - After the war the advent of the home freezer brought renewed emphasis to Rocke's on the sales of Sides and Quarters of beef. 1956 - A tragic fire nearly destroys the company. Through tremendous community effort, operations are resumed within two weeks.