Attractions

In Freeport, experience the history of the second of the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. It was at this site, at the corner of Douglas and State Streets, on August 27, 1858 that the Freeport Doctrine, an important statement  regarding slavery and state's rights, was established.

Although Douglas won the Senatorial campaign for which the debate was held, his statements lost him the support of the South and split the Democratic Party. This enabled Lincoln to win the Presidency in 1860 which precipitated the Civil War. The site is commemorated with a boulder and plaque dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 and by a life-size statue, "Lincoln and Douglas in Debate" by artist Lily Tolpo which was dedicated in 1992. Three sidewalks of 14,000 paving bricks taken from former brick streets flow toward and around the statue. Period benches and plantings add to the setting.

In Taylor Park, 900 E. Stephenson St., you'll find the famous Lincoln The Debater Statue. It was designed by Leonard Crunelle of Chicago and was presented to Freeport at the seventy-first anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate on August 27, 1929 by local industrialist, W.T. Rawleigh. Taylor Park was once a private racetrack and is now a public park.

The Old River School Historic District is bounded by the Pecatonica River, Brick Avenue, Galena Avenue, and Clark Street. This district includes original Freeport and the city's first street, Monterey. In later years, the area was known as the "Gold Coast". Numerous old and architecturally significant structures are in the district, including Freeport's oldest house built in 1838, the "Wisconsin Road Bridge" built in 1885 of cast iron, and the childhood home of famed Hollywood gossip columnist, Louella Parsons.

The Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad Antique Steam Train can be found at 2954 S. Walnut Road (corner of Lamm and Walnut Roads). It is open May thru October on selected holidays and weekends: 11 am to 4 pm.  Train departs on the hour.  Admission: $4.00 for adults; $2.00 for children under 12.

All aboard the antique steam train as a 36 ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, including an antique red caboose reported to be the oldest in the state, and a passenger flatcar for a four mile ride through farmlands and across a bridge 30 feet above Yellow Creek. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts. Browse for novelties in the Freight House and visit the Silvercreek Museum across the street.

On the southwest corner of the Stephenson County Courthouse, Galena and Stephenson Streets, is a Civil War Soldiers Monument. It was dedicated in 1871 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.  It is made of Joliet marble with a twelve foot square base and is eighty-three feet high. The names of those soldiers from Stephenson County who lost their lives in the Civil War are inscribed on the four sides. The four figures on the corners represent the four arms of the service: infantry, cavalry, artillery and navy.

On the southeast corner is the Stephenson County Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial dedicated in 1987. The bronze statue, representing the missing man, was designed and sculpted by local Cedarville artist, Eric Donaldson. It sits on top of a black granite base and is a full-sized M-16 with a bayonet stuck in the ground and a helmet on top. Dog tags inscribed with the words "pow/mia" hang from the trigger guard. A pair of combat boots stand in front of the M-16. On the rear of the memorial are the thoughts of the Vietnam veterans.

The Tutty Baker Monument at the foot of Monterey Street honors William "Tutty" Baker, the founder of Freeport. Tutty came to this area, which was home to the Winnebago Indians, in 1835. He built a trading post along the banks of the Pecatonica River and offered travelers free ferry rides, meals and lodging. When the early settlers were discussing a name for this burgeoning community, Mrs. Baker - who was no doubt kept busy cooking and cleaning - suggested that it be called a "free port". The Daughters of the American Revolution erected the monument.

The Freeport Fine Arts Theatre at 2998 W. Pearl City Road is located on the campus of Highland Community College. It features a variety of fine arts programming including vocal and music concerts, live theater, special performances, and the popular Summerset Theatre program, a community performing arts theater. The Ferguson is also home to HCC's Royal Scots, Jazz Ensemble and Chorale.  A seasonal listing of performances is available by calling the box office.

The Winneshiek Playhouse at 228 W. Clark is open September thru May. The Winneshiek Players provide quality, live theater each season and are the oldest continuous amateur theater in the country. Comedies, dramas, musicals, and more are presented by talented and dedicated local volunteers. A schedule of upcoming productions is available by calling the box office at 815/232-6718 or 232-7023.

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Area Events

Rock City, IL

Jan. 8-10: Bald Eagle Days, QCCA Expo Center, 2621 Fourth Ave. Celebrate the return of The Bald Eagle, now off the endangered list.Watch live birds of prey, Bald Eagles, Owls and Falcons fly over the audience. Enjoy more than 100 display and information booths. Admission Adults $4, children 6-16 $1. For more information, call 309-788-5912.

Parks

* Krape Park, South Park Boulevard and Empire Street, this 124-acre park offers an old-fashioned carousel, a waterfall, miniature golf course, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a quarter-mile nature trail, a concession stand, paddleboats, canoes, a band shell, gardens, picnic areas and playgrounds including a "Kid's Kastle."

* Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Crane's Grove Road (at Baileyville Road). Open daily, dawn to 10:30 p.m. 133 acres of oak and hickory woods with four miles of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, nature center, lodge, auditorium and more.

* Read Park, West Avenue and American Street, offers family aquatic center, which includes a zero-depth pool, water slides, play areas, sandy volleyball area, concession stand and picnic area.

Area Camping

Lena, IL

* Lake Le-Aqua-Na (Illinois State Park), four miles north of Lena, offers camping, picnic area, playground area, concession stand, boat ramp and swimming beach. Open May 1-Oct. 31. 815/369-4282.