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Freeport, Illinois

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Freeport, Illinois
City
Aerial view of Freeport, IL
Aerial view of Freeport, IL
Nickname(s): 
Pretzel City, USA
Location of Freeport in Stephenson County, Illinois.
Location of Freeport in Stephenson County, Illinois.
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyStephenson
TownshipFreeport
Founded1827
Incorporated1838
Government
 • MayorJodi Miller[1]
Area
[2]
Population
 (2020)
ZIP Code(s)
61032
Area code815/779
FIPS code17-27884
Wikimedia CommonsFreeport, Illinois
Websitewww.cityoffreeport.org
[3]
Paint the Port is an annual festival in Downtown Freeport held in September and hosted by the Freeport Art Museum.
Enjoying a night at Union Dairy in Downtown Freeport
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.[4] The population was 23,973 at the 2020 census,[5] and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is known for hosting the second 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's mascot is the Pretzel to honor its heritage.

History[edit]

The community was originally called Winneshiek.[6] 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 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.[7] 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, 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 bringing with them their love of pretzel snacks.[8] In 1869, a German immigrant named John Billerbeck[9] 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.[10][11]

Before February 1893, a large square of land was purchased from the former Keller-Wittbecker farm in East Freeport.[12] 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.[12] 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[13] 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[14] and city offices were moved to Carnegie City Hall in February 2017.[15]

The City of Freeport transitioned to the city manager form of government in May 2017.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Category handler/data' not found.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Category handler/data' not found.[<span title="Script error: No such module "delink".">citation needed]

Geography[edit]

Buildings in downtown Freeport, Illinois

Freeport is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of the Wisconsin state line, and at the center of a large agricultural area, located about 114 miles (183 km) northwest of Chicago, and 25 miles (40 km) west of Rockford.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.89 square miles (30.8 km2), of which 11.88 square miles (30.8 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.026 km2) is water.[16]

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

The area code for Freeport is 815 with an overlay area code of 779 as of March 17, 2007.

Climate and flooding[edit]

The Pecatonica River has flooded Freeport seven times since May 2017. The necessary flood cleanup has cost the city more than $1.5 million.[17]

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."[17] 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."[17]


Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1840491—
18501,436%
18605,376%
18707,889%
18808,516%
189010,189%
190013,258%
191017,587%
192019,669%
193022,045%
194022,368%
195022,467%
196026,628%
197027,736%
198026,266%
199025,840%
200026,443%
201025,638%
202023,973%
Census Quickfacts [18]

2020 census[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[5] the population was 23,973. The population density was 2,017.8 inhabitants per square mile (779.1/km2). There were 11,888 housing units at an average density of 1,000.6 per square mile (386.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.9% White, 17.9% Black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 2.9% from other races, and 8.8% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 7.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census[edit]

As of the census[19] 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 inhabitants per square mile (894.6/km2). There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of 1,092.7 per square mile (421.9/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.

Economy[edit]

The Freeport Public Library on the cusp of downtown Freeport

Tourism[edit]

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.[20] The Freeport Art Museum is located on N. Harlem Avenue.[21]

Parks and recreation[edit]

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.[22] 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 133 acres (0.54 km2) of forests, streams and restored prairies including more than four miles (6 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 74-acre (0.30 km2) 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.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Category handler/data' not found.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Category handler/data' not found.[<span title="Script error: No such module "delink".">citation needed]
  • Bidwell Park a 2-acre (8,100 m2) park presented by the heirs of Orlando B. Bidwell, features a small shelter with restrooms, a softball field, and a playground.
  • Knowlton Park, a 1-acre (4,000 m2) 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 1-acre (4,000 m2) 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[edit]

Public schools[edit]

  • Freeport High School
  • Carl Sandburg Middle School[23]
  • Freeport Middle School[24]
  • Jones-Farrar Magnet School[25]
  • Blackhawk Elementary School[26]
  • Center Elementary School[27]
  • Empire Elementary School[28]
  • Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School[29]
  • Taylor Park Elementary School[30]

Private schools[edit]

  • Immanuel Lutheran[31]
  • Aquin Catholic Schools[32]
  • Tri-County Christian Schools[33]
  • Open Bible Learning Center[34]

Colleges[edit]

Media[edit]

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

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Office of Mayor". City of Freeport. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ History of Stephenson County Retrieved on August 18, 2007
  4. ↑ "Fifteenth Judicial Circuit". State of Illinois. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2020 Decennial Census: Freeport city, Illinois". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "Description of Freeport, Short History of Freeport". Illinois.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  9. ↑ Eilders, B. "John Billerbeck (1835-1899) » Stamboom familie Eilders » Genealogie Online". Genealogie Online. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Let's twist again". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  11. ↑ Thomas, Blair. "Pretzel City Festival in Freeport". Illinois Farm Bureau Partners. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1
  13. ↑ "About Us: History". Freeport Public Library. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑
  16. ↑ "2020 Gazetteer Files". census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Chase, Brett (November 11, 2019). "Neighborhoods Face Extinction As Floods Increase". Better Government Association. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing - U.S. Census Bureau". Census.gov. February 20, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ↑ "Official site". Stephenson County Historical Society Museum. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Official site". Freeport Art Museum. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  22. ↑ AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf
  23. ↑ "Carl Sandburg Middle School". www.freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Freeport Middle School". www.freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Jones-Farrar Magnet School". www.freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Blackhawk Elementary School". Freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Center Elementary School". www.freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Empire Elementary School". Freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School". Freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Taylor Park Elementary School". Freeportschooldistrict.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Immanuel Lutheran Church and School". www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007.
  32. ↑ "Aquinis Catholic Schools - Freeport, IL". Aquinschools.org. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Tri-County Christian School". Tricountychristian.org. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Open Bible Learning Center, Freeport IL". www.freeportopenbible.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Highland Community College". Highland.edu. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Columbia College Freeport at Highland Community College". Ccis.edu. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  37. ↑ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Francis Lamb, pg. 231
  38. ↑ 'Illinois Blue Book 1951-1952, Biographical Sketch of Edward E. Laughlin, pg. 170
  39. ↑ 'Illinois Blue Book 1991-1992,' Biographical Sketch of Harlan Rigney, pg. 102
  40. ↑ [Illinois Blue Book 1909-1910, Biographical Sketch of Stephen Rigney, pg. 206-207
  41. ↑ "Staff Directory". Essanay Studios. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.

External links[edit]

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