WSQR began broadcasting on June 11, 1981, and was owned by Hometown Communications.[1][3][4] The station originally broadcast at 1560 kHz, running 250 watts during daytime hours only.[1] The station originally aired a MOR-adult contemporary format, with the slogan "Welcome to Our Sunshine".[1][3][4] A year later, the station began airing a country music format.[3][5] In spring 1989, the station began airing an oldies format.[3][6] In late 1990, the station switched back to a country music format.[3][7]
In 1993, after being silent, the station adopted a modern rock format, while temporarily being run by Northern Illinois University students.[8] The station again went silent in January 1994.[9]
In 1994, the station was sold to Larry and Pamela Nelson.[10][3] The station returned to the air at 6 a.m. on December 5, 1994, airing soft adult contemporary music from Jones Radio Networks, along with local news and information.[3][11] The station was branded "The Spirit of DeKalb County".[3][12] The station added nighttime operations in 1996, running 17 watts.[13] In August 1999, the station's format was changed to adult standards, carrying Timeless Favorites programming from ABC.[14]
WSQR moved to 1180 kHz in late 2006.[15][16] WSQR continued carrying Timeless network programming from Citadel Broadcasting until the network's shutdown in February 2010 when it adopted a classic hits format[17][18] (from Citadel's Classic Hits network). WSQR returned to the adult standards format in late summer of 2011, airing Dial Global's America's Best Music,[19] but in November 2012 switched back to classic hits, now airing Dial Global's Kool Gold format.