Jasper County was made up of woods, swamps, and vast prairie lands when the Potawatomi Indians came here from Michigan and Wisconsin about 1725. There is also evidence that mound builders lived in the county sometime between 500 B.C. and 900 A.D. Possibly the first white men to set foot in the area were Robert Cavelier sieur de LaSalle, French explorer and trader, and his men who, in 1679, traveled the Kankakee River on their way from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

The name Jasper was chosen to honor a hero of the Revolution, a young sergeant stationed at Fort Moultrie. On June 28, 1776, while the fort was under attack by the British, the flag was shot down. Jasper faced the storm of the battle, rescued the flag, and nailed it to the broken staff, thus signaling to the people watching from the mainland that the fort had not been captured.

The county was opened by the federal government for settlement in 1832. Shortly after, William Donahue, a hunter and trapper, established his home here. In 1835 Joseph Yeoman built the first cabin on the land now known as Rensselaer. However in 1839, James Van Rensselaer came from New York bringing with him a "float" from the government which entitled him to the land already fenced and cultivated by Yeoman. He laid out a town, which came to be know as Newton. This was later changed to Rensselaer.

Within the county you will find thousands of acres of farmland. In addition to corn and beans, the area yields seed corn, Christmas trees, asparagus, blueberries, potatoes, mint, and pumpkins. There are also approximately 32 industries, which offer great job opportunities. Far from being an urban area, you will find Jasper County to be not only a great farming area but also home to many antique shops, craft shops, auctions, and sidewalk sales. Also enjoy the many community festivals throughout the area.

Come prepared to enjoy the out of doors. In addition to the bountiful roadside fruit and vegetable stands, be prepared to go fishing or hunting. You will find an ample supply of fish, pheasants, rabbits, deer, quail, and ducks. Also, be prepared to spot herds of deer throughout the wooded areas. It’s all here waiting for you in Jasper County.