Freeport, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Freeport is a city in and the county seat
of Stephenson County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 26,443 at the 2000 census. The mayor of Freeport is George W. Gaulrapp, elected in 2005.
Originally called Winneshiek, the municipality when it was incorporated took its name from the generosity of Tutty Baker
, who was credited with running a "Free Port" on the Pecatonica River
. The name 'Winneshiek' was later adopted, and is preserved to this day, by the Freeport Community Theatre Group.
In 1837, Stephenson County was formed and in 1838, Freeport became its seat of government. Linked by a stagecoach with Chicago
, the community grew rapidly. In 1840, a frame courthouse was erected and the first school was founded. Within two years, Freeport had two newspapers and in 1853, the two were joined by a third which published in German. By then, the community had a population of 2,000.
On August 27, 1858, the second debate
between Abraham Lincoln
and Stephen A. Douglas
took place in Freeport and gave the nation direction in the following years. Although Stephen Douglas won the election and retained his U.S. Senate seat, his reply to a question on slavery alienated the South, which called it the "Freeport Heresy
", and split the Democratic Party
. This enabled Abraham Lincoln to win the Presidency in 1860.
A monument to the debate was dedicated in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt
and stands at this site. A life size statue recreating the event was dedicated in 1992. Another renowned statue, "Lincoln the Debator." by Leonard Crunelle
, is a focal point in the city's Taylor Park. Each year there is also a reenactment of the debate, which has been shown on C-SPAN
.
Freeport is known as the Pretzel
City, and its public high school's team is named the Pretzels. The nickname is a reminder of Freeport's ethnic heritage; in the late 1850s, many Germans, both from Pennsylvania and from their European homeland, resettled in Stephenson County. They brought with them their love of pretzel snacks, and a pretzel bakery started up.
Freeport is home to the oldest Carnegie Library
in Illinois and one of the first Carnegie Libraries designed by the famous Chicago
architectural firm of Patton and Miller.
Local Freeport media includes WFRL Radio (1570 AM), WFPS Radio (92.1 FM) and The Journal Standard newspaper.
Freeport is located at 42°17′31"N 89°37′49"W (42.292003, -89.630377). It is located approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) south of the Wisconsin Border, and at the center of a large agricultural area, located about 25 miles (40.2 km) west of Rockford
. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 11.4 square miles (29.6 km²), of which, 11.4 square miles (29.6 km²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
U.S. Route 20
is a four-lane divided highway that skirts the community's northern edge. At Rockford, it links with Interstate 90
and Interstate 39
, giving Freeport residents easy access to the entire Interstate system. I-90 is the major route between Chicago
and Minneapolis-St. Paul. I-39 extends from Rockford
to Bloomington
, where it links with I-74
and I-55
. From Freeport, U.S. Route 20 continues west to historic Galena, Illinois
, and the metropolitan area of Dubuque, Iowa
.
The area code for Freeport is 815 with an overlay area code of 779 .
of 2000, there were 26,443 people, 11,222 households, and 6,845 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,316.9 people per square mile (894.8/km²). There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of 1,092.7/sq mi (422.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.77% White, 13.81% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races
, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.
There were 11,222 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,399, and the median income for a family was $43,787. Males had a median income of $35,870 versus $25,095 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,680. About 9.9% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
The mission of the Stephenson County Historical Society, in partnership with the Freeport Park District, is to preserve, present, and promote local and regional history. This is achieved by maintaining and collecting quality artifacts, by educating the community, by collaborating with other institutions and organizations, and by interpreting and professionally presenting our local history.
Jane Addams Hull House Museum
Don Opel Arboretum
This botanical garden has 3,000 plantings representing over 3,000 different species of ground coverings, trees and shrubs.
Park Hills Golf Course
Willow Lake
Little Cubs Field
Freeport Masonic Temple
Winneshiek Players
Freeport Art Museum
JETS Observatory
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Stephenson County
Stephenson County, Illinois
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,979 people, 19,785 households, and 13,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile . There were 21,713 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 26,443 at the 2000 census. The mayor of Freeport is George W. Gaulrapp, elected in 2005.
History
Tutty Baker
William "Tutty" Baker, credited as the founder of Freeport, Illinois, built a trading post on the banks of the Pecatonica River. A generous man, Baker began operating a free ferry across the river and even invited travelers into his home for meals and lodging...
, who was credited with running a "Free Port" on the Pecatonica River
Pecatonica River
The Pecatonica River is a tributary of the Rock River, long, in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in the United States.The word Pecatonica is an anglicization of two Algonquian language words: Bekaa , which means "slow", and niba, which means "water", forming the conjunction Bekaaniba or...
. The name 'Winneshiek' was later adopted, and is preserved to this day, by the Freeport Community Theatre Group.
In 1837, Stephenson County was formed and in 1838, Freeport became its seat of government. Linked by a stagecoach with Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, the community grew rapidly. In 1840, a frame courthouse was erected and the first school was founded. Within two years, Freeport had two newspapers and in 1853, the two were joined by a third which published in German. By then, the community had a population of 2,000.
On August 27, 1858, the second debate
Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858
The Lincoln–Douglas Debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois, and the incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. At the time, U.S. senators were elected by state legislatures; thus Lincoln and...
between Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
and Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
took place in Freeport and gave the nation direction in the following years. Although Stephen Douglas won the election and retained his U.S. Senate seat, his reply to a question on slavery alienated the South, which called it the "Freeport Heresy
Freeport Doctrine
The Freeport Doctrine was articulated by Stephen A. Douglas at the second of the Lincoln-Douglas debates on August 27, 1858, in Freeport, Illinois. Lincoln tried to force Douglas to choose between the principle of popular sovereignty proposed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the majority decision of...
", and split the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. This enabled Abraham Lincoln to win the Presidency in 1860.
A monument to the debate was dedicated in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and stands at this site. A life size statue recreating the event was dedicated in 1992. Another renowned statue, "Lincoln the Debator." by Leonard Crunelle
Leonard Crunelle
Leonard Crunelle was an American sculptor.After immigrating to the United States, he was a coal miner.Lorado Taft discovered him. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago with Taft.-External links:*...
, is a focal point in the city's Taylor Park. Each year there is also a reenactment of the debate, which has been shown on C-SPAN
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
.
Freeport is known as the Pretzel
Pretzel
A pretzel is a type of baked food made from dough in soft and hard varieties and savory or sweet flavors in a unique knot-like shape, originating in Europe...
City, and its public high school's team is named the Pretzels. The nickname is a reminder of Freeport's ethnic heritage; in the late 1850s, many Germans, both from Pennsylvania and from their European homeland, resettled in Stephenson County. They brought with them their love of pretzel snacks, and a pretzel bakery started up.
Freeport is home to the oldest Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library, Carnegie Public Library, Carnegie Free Library, Carnegie Free Public Library, Andrew Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie Free Library or Carnegie Library Building may refer to any of the following Carnegie libraries:- California :*Carnegie Library , listed on the National Register...
in Illinois and one of the first Carnegie Libraries designed by the famous Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
architectural firm of Patton and Miller.
Local Freeport media includes WFRL Radio (1570 AM), WFPS Radio (92.1 FM) and The Journal Standard newspaper.
Geography
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 11.4 square miles (29.6 km²), of which, 11.4 square miles (29.6 km²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
is a four-lane divided highway that skirts the community's northern edge. At Rockford, it links with Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
and Interstate 39
Interstate 39
Interstate 39 is a highway in the midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois at Interstate 55 to Highway 29 in Rothschild, Wisconsin, approximately six miles south of Wausau. I-39 was designed to replace US Highway 51, which in the early 1980s was one of the busiest two-lane...
, giving Freeport residents easy access to the entire Interstate system. I-90 is the major route between Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Minneapolis-St. Paul. I-39 extends from Rockford
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
to Bloomington
Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States and the county seat. It is adjacent to Normal, Illinois, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
, where it links with I-74
Interstate 74
Interstate 74 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western end is at an intersection with Interstate 80 in Davenport, Iowa; the eastern end of its Midwest segment is at an intersection with Interstate 75 in Cincinnati, Ohio...
and I-55
Interstate 55
Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
. From Freeport, U.S. Route 20 continues west to historic Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
, and the metropolitan area of Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
.
The area code for Freeport is 815 with an overlay area code of 779 .
Climate
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 26,443 people, 11,222 households, and 6,845 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,316.9 people per square mile (894.8/km²). There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of 1,092.7/sq mi (422.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.77% White, 13.81% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.
There were 11,222 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,399, and the median income for a family was $43,787. Males had a median income of $35,870 versus $25,095 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,680. About 9.9% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Dan BalzDan BalzDaniel J. Balz is a journalist at The Washington Post, where he has been a political correspondent since 1978. Balz has served as National Editor, Political Editor, White House correspondent and as the Washington Post’s Texas-based Southwest correspondent. Balz sometimes appears on the news show...
, reporter for the Washington Post. - Ken BehringKen BehringKenneth Eugene Behring is a real-estate developer, former owner of the Seattle Seahawks football team, and philanthropist.-Early years:...
, former owner of the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. - Richard Wayne DirksenRichard Wayne DirksenRichard Wayne Dirksen was an American musician and composer, who served as Organist and Choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., from 1977 to 1988. Previously he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster from 1942 to 1964...
, former organist/choirmaster of Washington National Cathedral and composer of church music. - Calista FlockhartCalista FlockhartCalista Kay Flockhart is an American actress who is primarily recognized for her work in television. She is best known for playing the title character in the Fox comedy-drama series Ally McBeal for which she won a Golden Globe Award...
, the star of Ally McBealAlly McBealAlly McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia...
. - Charles GuiteauCharles J. GuiteauCharles Julius Guiteau was an American lawyer who assassinated U.S. President James A. Garfield. He was executed by hanging.- Background :...
, assassin of U.S. President James A. Garfield. - Corky HaleCorky HaleCorky Hale has been a working jazz musician since the late 1950s. As an in-demand session player, she has traveled across the United States and throughout Europe, playing harp, piano and flute, and singing, as well...
, jazz musician. - Robert L. JohnsonRobert L. JohnsonRobert L. Johnson is an American business magnate best known for being the founder of television network Black Entertainment Television , and is also its former chairman and chief executive officer...
, founder of BET. - Gerald McClellanGerald McClellanGerald McClellan is a former boxer from the United States of America, who was the WBO and WBC middleweight champion. McClellan's record as a professional boxer was 31 wins and 3 losses with 29 wins by knockout...
, former middleweight champion boxer. He received a brain injury while boxing in London, England. - Jimmie MatternJimmie MatternJames Joseph "Jimmie" Mattern was an American aviator. Mattern undertook a number of aviation world records, including twice attempting to break the world record for aerial circumnavigation set by Wiley Post and Harold Gatty...
, world record setting aviation pioneer. - Louella ParsonsLouella ParsonsLouella Parsons was the first American news-writer movie columnist in the United States. She was a gossip columnist who, for many years, was an influential arbiter of Hollywood mores, often feared and hated by the individuals, mostly actors, whose careers she could negatively impact via her...
, the famous Hollywood gossip columnist. - Preston PearsonPreston PearsonPreston James Pearson is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League who played for the Baltimore Colts , the Pittsburgh Steelers , and the Dallas Cowboys . Before his NFL career, he played for the University of Illinois, where he excelled at basketball...
, NFL football running back with the Baltimore ColtsHistory of the Indianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, and the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. - William Thomas RawleighWilliam Thomas Rawleigh-Biography:Rawleigh was born on December 3, 1870 to Charles David and Sarah Malinda Rawleigh in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. He would marry twice, first to Minnie B. Trevillian on November 16, 1890, and second to M...
, Illinois State Representative. - William Avery RockefellerWilliam Avery RockefellerWilliam Avery Rockefeller, Sr. was the father of American oil tycoon and billionaire, John Davison Rockefeller and William Rockefeller , who both founded the Standard Oil company....
, father of American oil tycoon and billionaire, John D. RockefellerJohn D. RockefellerJohn Davison Rockefeller was an American oil industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of...
. - Howard ZehrHoward ZehrHoward Zehr is Professor of Restorative Justice at Eastern Mennonite University's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Zehr previously served 19 years as director of Mennonite Central Committee’s Office on Crime and Justice...
, "grandfather" of the restorative justiceRestorative justiceRestorative justice is an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of victims, offenders, as well as the involved community, instead of satisfying abstract legal principles or punishing the offender...
movement.
Public - Freeport District 145 Schools
- Jones-Farrar Early Learning Centerhttp://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/elc/site/default.asp
- Five elementary schools (1st - 4th grade)
- International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet school http://www.ibo.org/
- Blackhawk Elementary School http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/bhawk/site/default.asp
- Center Elementary School http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/center/site/default.asp
- Empire Elementary School http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/empire/site/default.asp
- Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/ldoug/site/default.asp
- Taylor Park Elementary School http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/tpes/site/default.asp
- Carl Sandburg Middle school (5th - 8th grade)http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/csand/site/default.asp
- Freeport Middle school (5th - 8th grade)http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/fjhs/site/default.asp
- Freeport High School (Illinois)Freeport High School (Illinois)Freeport High School is a public secondary school located in Freeport, Illinois. Their sport teams are named the Pretzels.-Academics:In 2009, Freeport had an average composite ACT score of 19.7, and graduated 85.8% of its senior class...
(9th - 12th grade)http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/fhs/
- Transitional education facility.
Private
- Immanuel Lutheranhttp://www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com/School/school_home.htm
- Established 1877
- Daycare, Latch-key, Preschool - 8th grade
- Lutheran School
- Principal Mr. Micheal Welton
- Aquin Catholic Schoolshttp://www.aquinschools.org/
- Established
- Preschool - 12th grade
- Catholic School
- Principal Mrs Dianne Potts
- Tri-County Christian Schoolshttp://www.tricountychristian.org/
- Established 1983
- Preschool - 8th grade
- Non-denominational Christian School
- Principal Mrs. Wendy Schardt
- Mereih Christian Academy
- Established 1995
- Daycare, Latch-key, Preschool - 12th grade
- Non-denominational Christian School
- Principal
Highland Community College
- Serving thousands of students at the Freeport campus and at satellite locations throughout the district, Highland Community CollegeHighland Community College (Illinois)Highland Community College is a public two-year community college. Its main campus is located in Freeport, Illinois. The college is recognized by the Illinois Community College Board, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and a member of the North Central Association.-History:Highland...
offers 68 degree and certificate programs.http://www.highland.edu/index.asp
Columbia College-Freeport
- Ranked in the top tier of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S.News & World Report and ranked in the top 20 of military friendly colleges http://www.ccis.edu/about/pridepoints.asp, Columbia College-Freeport is located on the Highland Community College campus.http://www.ccis.edu/nationwide/main.asp?Freeport
Points of interest
Stephenson County Historical Society & MuseumThe mission of the Stephenson County Historical Society, in partnership with the Freeport Park District, is to preserve, present, and promote local and regional history. This is achieved by maintaining and collecting quality artifacts, by educating the community, by collaborating with other institutions and organizations, and by interpreting and professionally presenting our local history.
Jane Addams Hull House Museum
Don Opel Arboretum
Don Opel Arboretum
Don Opel Arboretum is an arboretum located on the campus of Highland Community College, 2998 West Pearl City Road, Freeport, Illinois.-External links:* - Journal Standard.com, September 11, 2010...
This botanical garden has 3,000 plantings representing over 3,000 different species of ground coverings, trees and shrubs.
Park Hills Golf Course
Willow Lake
Little Cubs Field
Freeport Masonic Temple
Winneshiek Players
Winneshiek Players
The Winneshiek Players is an amateur theater group in Freeport, Illinois. It was founded in 1916 and has offered a season of performances for every year since 1926. The Winneshiek Players claims to be the oldest continuously operating volunteer theater group in the United States.-External links:*...
Freeport Art Museum
JETS Observatory
- JETS, a student science club of Freeport High School, was established as a club for high school students to provide information regarding various careers in fields of science. The club provides a source of scientific recreation for high school students and the community of Freeport.
Parks Freeport Park District
One of Freeport's claim to fame is its park system.Krape Park
- Awarded "Outstanding Multi-use Facility" award by Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.http://www.il-ipra.org/forms/AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf
- Heavily wooded Krape Park features a picturesque waterfall that tumbles down from a high limestone bluff.
-
- Features:
-
- Krape Park's one-of-a-kind historical carousel
- Allan Herschell, 1959, Classic Metal (figures) Carousels, 2 row, Portable, 20 jumpers, 1 chariot, band organ no, original location,
- Alterations: One chariot space made wheelchair accessible. Rounding boards and shields replaced.http://nca-usa.org/census/census-cMETAL.html#
- Outdoor band shell, Koenig Amphitheater.
- Boat rental
- Tennis courts
- Nature trails
- Sledding hills
- Cross country skiing trails
- Bike path
- Baseball diamond
- Numerous picnic tables and a duck pond.
- Krape Park Kids Castle
- Yellow Creek Adventure Golf
- Krape Park's one-of-a-kind historical carousel
Bidwell Park
-
- Size: 2 acres (8,093.7 m²)
- Presented by the heirs of Orlando B. Bidwell, Bidwell Park is located across the street from Freeport Memorial Hospital. It features a small shelter with restrooms, a softball field, and a playground.
Knowlton Park
-
- Size: <1 acres (4,046.9 m²)
- Presented by the descendants of Dexter A. Knowlton to mark the 100th anniversary of his arrival to Freeport, Knowlton Park is located at the southeast corner of Broadway and Locust. It features a bronze tablet and tall Black Maple trees to shade benches and play equipment.
Read Park
-
- Read Park features the Read Park Family Aquatic Center, complete with a zero-depth swimming pool, water slides, spray features, and sand volleyball area and a 11000 square feet (1,021.9 m²) concrete skate park (Sk8 Park) that features obstacles, ramps, rails, bowls and ledges for skateboard and in-line enthusiasts. One of the larger parks in Freeport, it also features a large pavilion, basketball courts, children’s playground, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, and softball fields. It is also home to the newly added Little Cubs Field.
Oakdale Nature Preserve
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- Over 133 acre (0.53823238 km²) of forests, streams and restored prairies including more than four miles (6 km) of trails that wind through the Preserve as well as a 1/3-mile hard-packed accessible trail. In addition, Oakdale features a lodge, an auditorium and a nature center. Oakdale facilities are available for reunions, weddings, business meetings, retreats or gatherings.
Taylor Park
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- Size: 74 acres (299,467.6 m²)
- Freeport Park District acquired Taylor Park in 1911; it features three lighted softball fields, concession stand, basketball courts, picnic shelter and Abraham Lincoln statue. Taylor Park is home to the Park District's adult softball leagues and tournaments, which draw large crowds during summer nights.
Wilbur Park
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- Size: 1 acres (4,046.9 m²)
- Donated by local industrialist W.T. Rawleigh and named after his son (who died during WWI),Wilbur Park was deeded over to Freeport Park District on July 13, 1948. The park features nicely landscaped terrain and playground equipment.