The discovery of coal in 1832 spurred the establishment of the village of Sheffield. In 1852 the land was platted, creating Sheffield, named after Joseph E. Sheffield, one of the partners in the Sheffield Mining and Transportation Company. The mining company produced coal for the Rock Island railroad for 50 years. As coal production waned, agriculture took over as the mainstay of the economy of the town.

More of the history of the community can be seen in one of the oldest Danish Lutheran churches in America, built in 1880 and cared for today by the Sheffield Historical Society. The church was rededicated in 1976 in a ceremony attended by Queen Margarethe II of Denmark and her husband Prince Henrik. A special service usually takes place every year on the third Sunday of Advent.

The Sheffield Historical Society Museum consists of a number of themed rooms and a basement with scores of shelves holding unique historical items. Across the street from the Museum is one of the famous Andrew Carnegie libraries.

If you would like to find a quiet spot to spend your free time, Sheffield offers some wonderful places. Just to the south you will find Mautino State Park and to the north off Rt. 40 is the Hennepin Canal Parkway and Museum both great places to camp, fish, bike, hike, and enjoy nature. J&S Antiques, with over 30 dealers, is well worth a visit. Also north of town in the Red Barn Nursery, reportedly where John Greenleaf Whittier penned the poem The Barefoot Boy and where you can choose items for your Spring plantings.

Just south of town is Hidden Lake Golf Club where one can enjoy a pleasant round of golf and a bite to eat afterward in the clubhouse. Hidden Lake is a forgiving course well-suited for families.

Staying overnight at the well appointed Chestnut Street Inn bed and breakfast is a real treat. Owners Jeff and Monika also serve special gourmet meals on the weekends. A new restaurant, ZBest Café on Main, has recently opened. See their ad in the Businesses, Churches & Oganizations section under Sheffield. It's another of Bureau County's special places. There are some great gift ideas at Focus Gifts downtown (which also houses The Focus Weekly newspaper). Soaps, lotions and Alpaca yarn are but a few of the items. Buy your fishing license, bait, and get the local fishing report at Garfield Stier Co. If you are hungry for a great burger, or pork tenderloin sandwich while touring, head to the 6 & 34 Restaurant for a real treat.