So maybe this post is your first time hearing about Ottawa. Or maybe you’ve seen some of our other blog posts. Maybe you even live here! Whatever the case is, this post is intended to help you learn more about Ottawa, Illinois. Hopefully, you’ll learn something new! This is the first of a series of posts about the town. As the Middle of Everywhere, there’s so much to cover!
Ottawa: The Middle of History
               Ottawa was incorporated in 1853 and has plenty of history to show for it. Ottawa was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate, which took place on August 21st, 1858. Visitors from all over the country and beyond have traveled to Ottawa to visit the location and on-site statue. Though Lincoln lost the Senatorial race, his participation in the debates is what led to him becoming more well-known by Americans at the time. The momentum from the debates eventually helped Lincoln become the 16th president of the United States. The debate site is located in Washington Park, where tourists and locals alike enjoy the scenery.
The town is also known for the Reddick Mansion, a pre-Civil War home that was built in 1858. It was the home of Irish immigrant William Reddick. A passionate humanitarian, Reddick left his home to the city to be used as a library. The mansion served as the local public library from 1888 to 1975. Eventually the library had a new home on Canal Street. To keep in accordance with Reddick’s wishes, the mansion became a historical landmark open to the public. Volunteer staff offer tours of the Reddick Mansion Friday through Monday at 11 am and 1 pm.
The past isn’t always as enticing as a mansion or presidential history though. Ottawa is home to the tragic story of the Radium Girls, a group of young women (and even young girls) who were the victims of corporate greed. They worked with radium paint and were told it was safe, but eventually they started getting sick. They took the case to court, paving the way for workers’ rights across the nation, even leading to the creation of agencies like OSHA. Two of these women can also be found on our Revolution mural, a tribute to Ottawa and the nation’s tenacious women exploding into independence upon obtaining the right to vote in 1919. Visitors also regularly make trips to Ottawa to visit graves belonging to some of the women. The Ottawa Visitors Center also gives out a pamphlet of information regarding the story of the Radium Girls as well.
Of course, there’s so much more. Ottawa is home to the last surviving I&M Canal Tollhouse. It is available for tours on Sundays from April to October. Contact the Visitors Center to reserve a tour or visit on a special open house day!
This is just a small taste of the rich history of Ottawa. There are plenty of resources for those who wish to learn more about these subjects or find new ones.
Visit the Ottawa Visitors Center and grab a copy of our Old Town Heritage Tour booklet. It will take you on a self-led walking or driving tour of the historic downtown area. You can read from the booklet in tandem with calling a phone number or scanning a QR code that will help you learn more about the town!
You can also book a tour with Awesome Ottawa Tours. They offer a wide variety of tours and are always working on new ones to enjoy! Whether you’re interested in learning more about the Radium Girls, the Underground Railroad, or even a graveyard tour, there’s something for everyone. There’s also the Tangled Roots Brewery Tour/Tasting!
There’s also the Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, a volunteer-run operation that focuses on the history of Scouting (as W.D. Boyce, the founder of the Boy Scouts of America, lived in Ottawa) as well as local history. The staff are always updating the exhibits with unique and interesting items that all have stories to tell. They even have a full recreation of a room in Boyce’s home! The museum also offers seminars and presentations on pieces of history that most might not know about.
If you’re a history buff or just in the mood to hear a story, Ottawa has you covered. The past will come alive as you walk through its footsteps in this historic town.
