Neighborhood Description Belvidere is a city in Boone County, Illinois, United States. The location where Belvidere exists today was first settled in 1835 by Simon P. Doty and Mr. Whitney, who named the location next to the Kishwaukee River "Elysian Fields". The present name is after the Schloss Belvedere in Germany. Belvidere was originally built on the north side of the river. In 1851 the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was built south of the river, the business section followed to the south side of the river, where Belvidere's downtown is now located. Belvidere was home to the National Sewing Machine Company from 1886 until the 1940s. Neighborhood Links Neighborhood Council Community Center Chamber of Commerce History of Other Resources in Hospitals Post Office Schools Grocery Stores Cool Places to Eat