Freeport, Illinois

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Freeport, Illinois
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = 
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Illinois|City]]
| image_skyline      = Freeport pano.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial view of Freeport, IL
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| etymology          = 
| nickname           = Pretzel City, USA
| motto              = 
| anthem             = 
| image_map          = File:Stephenson County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Freeport Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Location of Freeport in Stephenson County, Illinois.
| pushpin_map              = Illinois#USA
| pushpin_label          = Freeport
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|42|17|31|N|89|37|49|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| grid_name          = 
| grid_position      = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = Illinois
| subdivision_type2  = County
| subdivision_name2  = [[Stephenson County, Illinois|Stephenson]]
| subdivision_type3  = Township
| subdivision_name3  = [[Freeport Township, Stephenson County, Illinois|Freeport]]
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1827
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1  = 1838
| established_title2 = 
| established_date2  = 
| extinct_title      = 
| extinct_date       = 
| founder            = 
| named_for          = 
| seat_type          = 
| seat               = 
| seat1_type         = 
| seat1              = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| governing_body     = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = Mayor
| leader_name1       = Jodi Miller<ref>{{cite web | title = Office of Mayor | publisher = City of Freeport | url = http://www.cityoffreeport.org/people/jodi-miller/ | access-date = May 24, 2017 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170714203505/http://www.cityoffreeport.org/people/jodi-miller/ | archive-date = July 14, 2017 }}</ref>
| total_type         = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 30.79
| area_total_sq_mi   = 11.89
| area_land_km2      = 30.77
| area_land_sq_mi    = 11.88
| area_water_km2     = 0.02
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.01
| area_water_percent = 
| area_metro_footnotes = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| area_rank          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 778
| elevation_point    = 
| elevation_max_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_max_ft   = 
| elevation_max_point = 
| elevation_max_rank = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
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| elevation_min_ft   = 
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| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 23973
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_rank    = 
| population_density_km2 = 779.04
| population_density_sq_mi = 2017.76
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone1          = 
| utc_offset1        = 
| timezone1_DST      = 
| utc_offset1_DST    = 
| timezone2          = 
| utc_offset2        = 
| timezone2_DST      = 
| utc_offset2_DST    = 
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code|ZIP Code(s)]]
| postal_code        = 61032
| postal2_code_type  = 
| postal2_code       = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = [[Area code 815|815]]/[[Area code 779|779]]
| geocode            = 
| iso_code           = 
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 17-27884
| blank2_name_sec2   = Wikimedia Commons
| blank2_info_sec2   = Freeport, Illinois
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cityoffreeport.org/}}
| footnotes          = <ref name="Stephenson County">[http://genealogytrails.com/ill/stephenson/historystephenson.html History of Stephenson County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010123/http://genealogytrails.com/ill/stephenson/historystephenson.html |date=2007-09-27 }} Retrieved on August 18, 2007</ref>
}}
[[File:Paint the Port.jpg|thumb|Paint the Port is an annual festival in Downtown Freeport held in September and hosted by the Freeport Art Museum.]]
[[File:Union Dairy.jpg|thumb|Enjoying a night at Union Dairy in Downtown Freeport]]
[[File:Lcf2011.jpg|thumb|Freeport is home to the mini-Wrigley replica, Little Cubs Field. The field is open or can be reserved for private gatherings such as tournaments, family reunions, or other events.]]
'''Freeport''' is the [[county seat]] and largest city of [[Stephenson County, Illinois]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CircuitMap/15th.asp#Stephenson|access-date=2014-01-20|title=Fifteenth Judicial Circuit|publisher=State of Illinois|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519202346/http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CircuitMap/15th.asp#Stephenson|archive-date=2014-05-19}}</ref> The population was 23,973 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020-census-1727884" /> and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is known for hosting the second [[Lincoln–Douglas debates|Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858]], and as "Pretzel City, USA", due to a popular local German bakery that became well known for its prolific pretzel production after it opened in 1869. [[Freeport High School (Illinois)|Freeport High School]]'s mascot is the Pretzel to honor its heritage.

==History==
The community was originally called '''Winneshiek'''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA74|year=1908|page=74}}</ref> When it was incorporated, the new municipality 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 Freeport became its seat of government in 1838. 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 [[Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858|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 Doctrine|Freeport Heresy]]", and split the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Guelzom |first=A. |year=2008 |title=Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America |page=162 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-7432-7320-6}}</ref> 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. In many years there is also a reenactment of the debate, [[The Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1994 reenactments)|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 [[German-American|Germans]], both from Pennsylvania and from their European homeland, resettled in Stephenson County bringing with them their love of pretzel snacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.illinois.com/details/city.php?cityFips=1727884 |title=Description of Freeport, Short History of Freeport |work=Illinois.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930074752/http://www.illinois.com/details/city.php?cityFips=1727884 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 }}</ref> In 1869, a German immigrant named John Billerbeck<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-familie-eilders-is-samengesteld-door-b.-eilders/I96781.php|title=John Billerbeck (1835-1899) » Stamboom familie Eilders » Genealogie Online |first=B.|last=Eilders |work=Genealogie Online |access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref> established the Billerbeck Bakery, which distributed so many pretzels to residents that the local newspaper later dubbed Freeport the "Pretzel City". The city later capitalized on this nickname in 2003 by starting Freeport's first Pretzel Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-06-29/features/0706280746_1_local-ceiling-tasty |title=Let's twist again |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=September 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150927104841/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-06-29/features/0706280746_1_local-ceiling-tasty |archive-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ilfbpartners.com/family/pretzel-city-festival-in-freeport/|title=Pretzel City Festival in Freeport |first=Blair |last=Thomas |work=Illinois Farm Bureau Partners |access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref>

Before February 1893, a large square of land was purchased from the former Keller-Wittbecker farm in East Freeport.<ref name=History  /> Some of this land had been subdivided and platted as the "Arcade Addition", as Arcade Manufacturing used some of that square of land in 1893 to rebuild its factory after a fire in its original location had destroyed everything.<ref name=History>{{cite book |title=History of Stephenson County Illinois, Arcade Manufacturing Company |url=http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/addison-l-fulwider/history-of-stephenson-county-illinois--a-record-of-its-settlement-organizatio-wlu/page-64-history-of-stephenson-county-illinois--a-record-of-its-settlement-organizatio-wlu.shtml |page=510 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813043304/http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/addison-l-fulwider/history-of-stephenson-county-illinois--a-record-of-its-settlement-organizatio-wlu/page-64-history-of-stephenson-county-illinois--a-record-of-its-settlement-organizatio-wlu.shtml |archive-date=August 13, 2014 }}</ref> The Arcade Manufacturing Company had been in operation since 1885 when the previous [[Novelty Iron Works]] had gone out of business at the corner of Chicago and Jackson streets. That earlier company began as early as 1868. After the 1892 fire, the Arcade Manufacturing Company built an entirely new factory in the Arcade Addition of East Freeport, where they produced coffee mills and other metal products.

Freeport is home to the oldest [[Carnegie Library]] in Illinois<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.freeportpubliclibrary.org/mission-and-history/ |title=About Us: History  |work=Freeport Public Library |access-date=September 25, 2021 }}</ref> and one of the first Carnegie Libraries designed by the [[Chicago]] architectural firm of Patton and Miller. It was renovated into Freeport's city hall<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20160824/freeport-carnegie-library-city-hall-renovations-on-schedule |title=Freeport Carnegie Library-City Hall renovations on schedule |first=Derrick |date=August 24, 2016 |last=Mason |newspaper=Journal-Standard |location=Freeport, Illinois |url-status=dead |access-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926171025/https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20160824/freeport-carnegie-library-city-hall-renovations-on-schedule}}</ref> and city offices were moved to Carnegie City Hall in February 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170214/freeport-unveils-new-city-hall-in-renovated-carnegie-library-building |title=Freeport unveils new city hall in renovated Carnegie Library building |newspaper=Rockford Register Star |date=February 15, 2017 |first=Derrick |last=Mason |access-date=September 25, 2021 }}</ref>

The City of Freeport transitioned to the [[city manager]] form of government in May 2017.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

==Geography==
[[File:Freeport Il Downtown2.JPG|thumb|right|Buildings in downtown Freeport, Illinois]]
Freeport is located approximately {{convert|20|mi|km}} south of the Wisconsin state line, and at the center of a large agricultural area, located about {{convert|114|mi|km}} northwest of [[Chicago]], and {{convert|25|mi|km}} west of [[Rockford, Illinois|Rockford]].

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|11.89|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|11.88|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|km2}} is water.<ref name="gaz2020">{{cite web|title=2020 Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2020.html |website=census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>

[[U.S. Route 20 in Illinois|U.S. Route 20]] is a four-lane divided highway that skirts the community's northern edge. At Rockford, it links with [[Interstate 90|Interstates 90]] and [[Interstate 39|39]], giving Freeport residents access to the entire Interstate system. From Freeport, U.S. 20 continues west to [[Galena, Illinois|Galena]], and the metropolitan area of [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]], [[Iowa]].

The [[area code]] for Freeport is 815 with an overlay area code of 779 {{As of|2007|alt=as of March 17, 2007}}.

===Climate and flooding===
The [[Pecatonica River]] has flooded Freeport seven times since May 2017. The necessary flood cleanup has cost the city more than $1.5 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bettergov.org/news/neighborhoods-face-extinction-as-floods-increase/|title=Neighborhoods Face Extinction As Floods Increase|last=Chase|first=Brett|date=2019-11-11|website=Better Government Association|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref>

The frequency of severe weather events appears to be increasing. According to the State Climatologist, "the number of days Freeport has experienced heavy rainfall has steadily increased every decade since 1949."<ref name=":0" /> The city is seeking funding to buy out homes in flood-prone neighborhoods. One study estimates that for "every $1 communities like Freeport spend to relocate their residents they will save $6 in future clean ups."<ref name=":0" /> 
<br />
{{Weather box 
| location = Freeport, Illinois (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1973–present)
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 61
| Feb record high F = 69
| Mar record high F = 85
| Apr record high F = 92
| May record high F = 96
| Jun record high F = 100
| Jul record high F = 103
| Aug record high F = 101
| Sep record high F = 96
| Oct record high F = 90
| Nov record high F = 77
| Dec record high F = 67
| year record high F = 103
| Jan high F = 27.9
| Feb high F = 32.6
| Mar high F = 44.9
| Apr high F = 58.2
| May high F = 69.9
| Jun high F = 79.3
| Jul high F = 82.4
| Aug high F = 80.7
| Sep high F = 74.3
| Oct high F = 61.5
| Nov high F = 46.0
| Dec high F = 33.3
| year high F = 57.6
| Jan mean F = 19.6
| Feb mean F = 23.7
| Mar mean F = 35.4
| Apr mean F = 47.3
| May mean F = 59.1
| Jun mean F = 69.0
| Jul mean F = 72.4
| Aug mean F = 70.3
| Sep mean F = 62.6
| Oct mean F = 50.4
| Nov mean F = 37.1
| Dec mean F = 25.6
| year mean F = 47.7
| Jan low F = 11.3
| Feb low F = 14.8
| Mar low F = 25.8
| Apr low F = 36.4
| May low F = 48.4
| Jun low F = 58.6
| Jul low F = 62.3
| Aug low F = 59.9
| Sep low F = 51.0
| Oct low F = 39.3
| Nov low F = 28.2
| Dec low F = 17.9
| year low F = 37.8
| Jan record low F = −31
| Feb record low F = −31
| Mar record low F = -19
| Apr record low F = 9
| May record low F = 25
| Jun record low F = 38
| Jul record low F = 46
| Aug record low F = 40
| Sep record low F = 28
| Oct record low F = 15
| Nov record low F = -5
| Dec record low F = −23
| year record low F = -31
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.58
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.65
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.15
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.66
| May precipitation inch = 4.36
| Jun precipitation inch = 5.26
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.21
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.21
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.11
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.98
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.36
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.83
| year precipitation inch = 38.36
| Jan snow inch = 9.7
| Feb snow inch = 8.5
| Mar snow inch = 3.8
| Apr snow inch = 0.8
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.2
| Nov snow inch = 2.6
| Dec snow inch = 8.9
| year snow inch = 34.5
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 8.7
| Feb precipitation days = 8.0
| Mar precipitation days = 9.4
| Apr precipitation days = 10.7
| May precipitation days = 13.1
| Jun precipitation days = 11.7
| Jul precipitation days = 9.8
| Aug precipitation days = 9.7
| Sep precipitation days = 9.0
| Oct precipitation days = 9.4
| Nov precipitation days = 8.1
| Dec precipitation days = 8.7
| year precipitation days = 116.3
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 6.0
| Feb snow days = 5.0
| Mar snow days = 2.9
| Apr snow days = 0.6
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.1
| Nov snow days = 1.2
| Dec snow days = 5.0
| year snow days = 20.8
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dvn
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00113262&format=pdf
| title = Station: Freeport Waste WTP, IL
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 11, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 491
|1850= 1436
|1860= 5376
|1870= 7889
|1880= 8516
|1890= 10189
|1900= 13258
|1910= 17587
|1920= 19669
|1930= 22045
|1940= 22368
|1950= 22467
|1960= 26628
|1970= 27736
|1980= 26266
|1990= 25840
|2000= 26443
|2010= 25638
|2020= 23973
|footnote=[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1727884.html Census Quickfacts] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing - U.S. Census Bureau|publisher=Census.gov|date=2013-02-20|access-date=2013-06-14}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-1727884">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Freeport city, Illinois |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1727884&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref> the population was 23,973. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2,017.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 11,888 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,000.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 68.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 17.9% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.9% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 8.8% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 7.1% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 26,443 people, 11,222 households, and 6,845 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,316.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,092.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 81.77% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 13.81% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.19% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.97% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.00% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.22% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.

==Economy==
[[File:Freeport Il Freeport Library1.JPG|thumb|right|The Freeport Public Library on the cusp of downtown Freeport]]

===Tourism===
Tourist sites in the area include the [[Don Opel Arboretum]], a botanical garden with over 3,000 different species of ground coverings, trees and shrubs. The [[Stephenson County Historical Society Museum]] includes [[Oscar Taylor House]], a one-room schoolhouse, the Industrial/Arcade Toy Museum, an Irish homestead log cabin, and an arboretum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official site|url=http://www.stephcohs.org/|publisher=Stephenson County Historical Society Museum|access-date=11 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218083612/http://www.stephcohs.org/|archive-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> The Freeport Art Museum is located on N. Harlem Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official site|url=http://www.freeportartmuseum.com|publisher=Freeport Art Museum|access-date=11 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218085122/http://www.freeportartmuseum.com/|archive-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Freeport Il Lincoln the Debater1.JPG|thumb|right|upright|''Lincoln the Debater'' by sculptor [[Leonard Crunelle]], in Taylor Park]]
* Krape Park was awarded "Outstanding Multi-use Facility" award by the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.<ref>[http://www.il-ipra.org/forms/AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205419/http://www.il-ipra.org/forms/AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf |date=March 14, 2012 }}</ref> Heavily wooded Krape Park features a waterfall that tumbles down from a high limestone bluff. Visitors can ride paddle boats, play mini golf, disc golf, or play on one of the three playground areas. Krape Park is a [[palindrome]]. 
* Read Park features the Read Park Family Aquatic Center and a skate park. 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 Little Cubs Field, a replica of Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL.
* Oakdale Nature Preserve has over {{convert|133|acre|km2}} of forests, streams and restored prairies including more than four miles (6&nbsp;km) of trails as well as a 1/3-mile hard-packed accessible trail. A historic tabernacle sits on the property, doubling as an auditorium. It is currently being restored. 
* Taylor Park, a {{convert|74|acre|km2|adj=on}} park acquired in 1911, features three lighted softball fields, concession stand, basketball courts, picnic shelter and Abraham Lincoln statue. This statue, located in the southwest section of the park, was sculpted in 1928–29 by Leonard Crunelle. Its dedication on August 27, 1929, was attended by many notable guests, and was covered by newspapers across the country.{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}
* Bidwell Park a {{convert|2|acre|m2|adj=on}} park presented by the heirs of Orlando B. Bidwell, features a small shelter with restrooms, a softball field, and a playground.
* Knowlton Park, a {{convert|1|acre|m2|adj=on}} park presented by the descendants of Dexter A. Knowlton to mark the 100th anniversary of his arrival to Freeport, features a bronze tablet and tall black maple trees to shade benches and play equipment.
* Wilbur Park, a {{convert|1|acre|m2|adj=on}} park donated by local industrialist [[W. T. Rawleigh]] and named after his son (who died during World War I), was deeded over to Freeport Park District on July 13, 1948. The park features landscaped terrain and playground equipment.

==Education==
===Public schools===
* [[Freeport High School (Illinois)|Freeport High School]]
* Carl Sandburg Middle School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/csand/site/default.asp |title= Carl Sandburg Middle School|website=www.freeportschooldistrict.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205200/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/csand/site/default.asp |archive-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref>
* Freeport Middle School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/fjhs/site/default.asp |title= Freeport Middle School|website=www.freeportschooldistrict.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060811/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/fjhs/site/default.asp |archive-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref>
* Jones-Farrar Magnet School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/elc/site/default.asp |title= Jones-Farrar Magnet School|website=www.freeportschooldistrict.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060714/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/elc/site/default.asp |archive-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref>
* Blackhawk Elementary School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/bhawk/site/default.asp |title=Blackhawk Elementary School |publisher=Freeportschooldistrict.com |access-date=2013-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314204600/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/bhawk/site/default.asp |archive-date=2012-03-14 }}</ref>
* Center Elementary School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/center/site/default.asp |title= Center Elementary School|website=www.freeportschooldistrict.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314204607/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/center/site/default.asp |archive-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref>
* Empire Elementary School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/empire/site/default.asp |title=Empire Elementary School |publisher=Freeportschooldistrict.com |access-date=2013-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060735/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/empire/site/default.asp |archive-date=2012-03-01 }}</ref>
* Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/ldoug/site/default.asp |title=Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School |publisher=Freeportschooldistrict.com |access-date=2013-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205145/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/ldoug/site/default.asp |archive-date=2012-03-14 }}</ref>
* Taylor Park Elementary School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/tpes/site/default.asp |title=Taylor Park Elementary School |publisher=Freeportschooldistrict.com |access-date=2013-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205151/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/tpes/site/default.asp |archive-date=2012-03-14 }}</ref>

===Private schools===
* Immanuel Lutheran<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com/School/school_home.htm |title= Immanuel Lutheran Church and School|website=www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714205636/http://www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com/School/school_home.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2007}}</ref>
* Aquin  Catholic Schools<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aquinschools.org/ |title=Aquinis Catholic Schools - Freeport, IL |publisher=Aquinschools.org |access-date=2013-06-14}}</ref>
* Tri-County Christian Schools<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tricountychristian.org/ |title=Tri-County Christian School |publisher=Tricountychristian.org |access-date=2013-06-14}}</ref>
* Open Bible Learning Center<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeportopenbible.com/learningcenter_staff.html/ |title= Open Bible Learning Center, Freeport IL|website=www.freeportopenbible.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114214957/http://www.freeportopenbible.com/learningcenter_staff.html/ |archive-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

===Colleges===
* [[Highland Community College (Illinois)|Highland Community College]] offers 68 degree and certificate programs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highland.edu/index.asp |title=Highland Community College |publisher=Highland.edu |access-date=2013-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603225012/http://highland.edu/index.asp |archive-date=2013-06-03 }}</ref>
* Columbia College-Freeport, located on the Highland Community College campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccis.edu/nationwide/main.asp?Freeport |title=Columbia College Freeport at Highland Community College |publisher=Ccis.edu |access-date=2013-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603121709/http://www.ccis.edu/nationwide/main.asp?Freeport |archive-date=2013-06-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Media==
Local Freeport media includes [[WFRL]] (1570 AM), [[WFPS]] Radio (92.1 FM) and ''[[The Journal Standard]]'' daily newspaper.

==Notable people==
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· The article must mention how they are associated with Freeport, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
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· All others will be deleted without further explanation.
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{{div col|colwidth=}}
* [[Joseph M. Bailey]], jurist and legislator
* [[Dan Balz]], award-winning political reporter for the Washington Post
* [[Ken Behring]], owned the NFL's [[Seattle Seahawks]]
* [[Harry Boeke]], Illinois state senator and businessman
* [[Carl Cain]], 1956 Olympic basketball gold medalist, University of Iowa basketball player
* [[John Callahan (pitcher)|John Callahan]], [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Janet H. Clark]], Minnesota state legislator
* [[Alfred A. Cohn]], author, journalist and newspaper editor, Police Commissioner, and screenwriter of the 1920s and 1930s
* [[A.D. Condo]], cartoonist
* [[Richard Wayne Dirksen]], organist and choirmaster
* [[William Eckert]], Air Force general, Major League Baseball commissioner
* [[Calista Flockhart]], actress
* [[James B. Goetz]], Minnesota Lieutenant Governor
* [[Tuffy Gosewisch]], Major League Baseball player
* [[Charles J. Guiteau|Charles Guiteau]], assassin of US President [[James A. Garfield]]
* [[Corky Hale]], jazz musician
* [[Clare Winger Harris]], science fiction author
* [[Oscar E. Heard]], Illinois jurist
* [[Edmund Heller]] (1875–1939) zoologist
* [[Homer Hillebrand]], Major League Baseball player
* [[Donna Jogerst]], All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
* [[Robert L. Johnson]], founder of [[Black Entertainment Television]] (BET)
* [[Francis Lamb]], Wisconsin State Assemblyman<ref>'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Francis Lamb, pg. 231</ref>
* [[Edward E. Laughlin]], Illinois State Senator and lawyer<ref>'Illinois Blue Book 1951-1952, Biographical Sketch of Edward E. Laughlin, pg. 170</ref>
* [[Gerald McClellan]], middleweight boxing champion
* [[John Meyer (Illinois politician)|John Meyer]], Illinois State Representative, lawyer
* [[Ravi Patel (actor)|Ravi Patel]], film and TV actor
* [[Jason Pearson (baseball)|Jason Pearson]], Major League Baseball player
* [[Preston Pearson]], [[National Football League]] player 
* [[Trisha Paytas]], YouTube personality
* [[William Buckley Peck]], physician, surgeon, and founder of the Inter-State Postgraduate Medical Association of North America
* [[Julia Phillips (physicist)| Julia Phillips]], physicist and science policy leader
* [[William Thomas Rawleigh]], industrialist, Illinois State Representative
* [[Harlan Rigney]], Illinois State Representative<ref>'Illinois Blue Book 1991-1992,' Biographical Sketch of Harlan Rigney, pg. 102</ref>
* [[Stephen A. Rigney]], Illinois state representative<ref>[Illinois Blue Book 1909-1910, Biographical Sketch of Stephen Rigney, pg. 206-207</ref>
* [[William Avery Rockefeller]], father of [[John D. Rockefeller]]
* [[Adolph Rupp]], head basketball coach Freeport HS 1926-30 and Univ. of Kentucky 1930–72, for whom [[Rupp Arena]] is named.
* [[Manuel Seal]] - Grammy-award-winning producer
* [[Ted Snyder]], songwriter
* [[Charles J. Stine]], silent film actor<ref name=Essanay>{{cite web|title=Staff Directory|url=http://essanaystudios.org/about-us/employees/|website=Essanay Studios|access-date=7 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211065016/http://essanaystudios.org/about-us/employees/|archive-date=11 February 2015}}</ref>
* [[Tiffany Thayer]], author, actor, ''[[Thirteen Women]]''
* [[Alice Bradford Wiles]], Chicago clubwoman, lived in Freeport
*[[Steve Luecke]], [[List of mayors of South Bend, Indiana|mayor of South Bend, Indiana]], 1997-2012
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Freeport, Illinois}}
{{Wikivoyage|Freeport (Illinois)|Freeport, Illinois}}
*{{Official website|https://cityoffreeport.org/}}

{{Stephenson County, Illinois}}
{{Lincoln–Douglas debates}}
{{Illinois county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Freeport, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Illinois]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Illinois]]
[[Category:Cities in Stephenson County, Illinois]]
[[Category:County seats in Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]
[[Category:Rockford metropolitan area, Illinois]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Illinois]]