Freeport, Illinois
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Freeport is a city in Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 26,443 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Stephenson CountyGR6.
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[edit] Geography
Freeport is located at (42.292003, -89.630377)GR1. It is located approximately 20 miles south of the Wisconsin Border, and at the center of a large agricultural area, located about 25 miles west of Rockford. Highway 20. U.S. 20 is a four-lane divided highway that skirts the community's northern edge. At Rockford, it links with Interstate 90 and 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, Route 20 continues west to historic Galena, Illinois, and the metropolitan area of Dubuque, Iowa.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²). 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
The courthouse of Stephenson County is located in this city. The area code for Freeport is 815 with an overlay area code of 779 to take place March 17, 2007.
[edit] Short History of Freeport
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 most significant of the historic Abraham Lincoln vs. Stephen A. Douglas debates 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 CSPAN television.
Freeport is known as the Pretzel City, and its high school's teams are named the Pretzels. The nickname is a reminder of Freeport's ethnic heritage; in the late 1850s, many Germans, both from Pennsylania 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.
[edit] Geography
Freeport is located at 42°17'31" North, 89°37'49" West (42.292003, -89.630377)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²). 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 26,443 people, 11,222 households, and 6,845 families residing in the city. The population density was 894.8/km² (2,316.9/mi²). There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of 422.0/km² (1,092.7/mi²). 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.
[edit] Claim to fame
Freeport's has three primary claims to fame (or infamy).
First, it was the site of the second of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 and where Stephen A. Douglas articulated his Freeport Doctrine.
Second, Freeport is the birthplace of Charles Guiteau, the assassin of U.S. President James Garfield in 1881.
Third, William Avery Rockefeller, father of John D. Rockefeller, lived in Freeport; he died and was buried there.
Freeport is the birthplace of several celebrities. Among them are:
- Calista Flockhart, the star of the Fox Network's acclaimed "Ally McBeal" television show.
- Louella Parsons, the famous Hollywood gossip columnist. She is portrayed in the movie "Cats Meow" by Jennifer Tilly
- Deacon Davis of Harlem Globetrotters fame.
- Robert L. Johnson, founder of BET.
- Preston Pearson, NFL football star with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Ken Behring, former owner of the Seattle Seahawks.
- Boxer Gerald McClellan, who was considered one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world before being permanently injured by Nigel Benn.
- Dan Balz, National Political Reporter Washington Post
- Geoff Rodkey, Screenplay writer. He wrote the scripts for such movies as Daddy Day Care, RV (film), and The Shaggy Dog (2006 film).
- John Cook (American Freelance Writer) Carnegie Library expert, Illinois home rule authority. Numerous articles in a variety of magazines and newspapers.
[edit] Freeport community festivals
- Sojourn Folk Festival in September
- Stephenson County Fair in August
[edit] Colleges
- Highland Community College is located in the city.
[edit] Points of interest
- Krape Park
- Don Opel Arboretum
- Freeport
- The Pretzel Bowl
- Jeannette Lloyd Theatre
- Willow Lake
[edit] References
- City Of Freeport Chamber or Comerence
- Local book "History of Freeport" Located in the Freeport Library.
- [Demographics Report [1]
- Highland Community College
[edit] External links
- Mr. Lincoln and Freedom: Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Freeport
- City of Freeport
- Freeport,Illinois
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
