Explore President Reagan’s Roots

President Ronald Wilson Reagan made an indelible mark on world history, and the citizens of Dixon are proud to call him one of their own. This year, the 100th anniversary of his birth, Dixon joins the nation in this important Centennial Celebration.

We welcome you to explore Dixon and visit the places where young Ronald Reagan lived, studied, worshiped and played. These are places that helped shape the man who would become one of the most significant figures of the 20th Century.

You can start your tour at Heritage Crossing, the riverfront park in downtown Dixon where you will find “Begins the Trial,” a life-sized bronze sculpture of a young Ronald Reagan on horseback. In addition, we have several special events and celebrations planned for 2011 to honor our 40th president.

Let these pages be your guide to the 2011 Ronald Reagan Celebration. -- Dixon is one of 13 Illinois cities celebrating the Reagan Centennial. Explore his ancestral roots in Fulton, where his grandparents are buried. Visit Tampico, where Reagan was born. Tour his beloved alma mater, Eureka College, see the large remnant of the Berlin Wall in the Reagan Peace Garden and explore the Reagan Museum.

For more information:

• Illinois Reagan Centennial
• Ronald Reagan Trail

Follow in Young Ronald Reagan's Footsteps

Reagan Centennial Events

Ronald Reagan's Rise

The extraordinary story that began in Illinois

While history gets written and rewritten by succeeding generations, few historians will argue that the 1980s offered key challenges to the United States. As the decade began, America faced debilitating inflation, ongoing challenges in the Middle East and Central America, and a Cold War that kept the entire world on edge.

Enter an unlikely hero: Ronald Reagan. The handsome, affable former movie star wasn’t taken seriously on the national stage – despite success as governor of California during the tumultuous ‘60s. After all, we’re talking about the Ronald Reagan who once co-starred with a chimpanzee in “Bedtime for Bonzo.”

But he was elected president in 1980, and during his eight years in office he tackled some of the nation’s toughest problems. Ronald Reagan is credited with:

• Taming inflation by controlling the money supply.
• Spurring economic growth by reducing taxes.
• Cutting government waste.
• Ending the Cold War by forcing the Soviet Union to the negotiating table.

Reagan‘s road to the White House began on the plains of Northern Illinois. He was born in Tampico, raised in Dixon, and attended college in Eureka. After graduating in 1932, the smooth-voiced young man went to work at WOC radio in Davenport, Iowa, and WHO in Des Moines.

But a national audience awaited, and in 1937 he moved to Los Angeles. He appeared in more than 50 film productions and a number of television shows. His stint as president of the Screen Actors Guild sparked his interest in politics. He became a Republican in 1962, and two years later his “A Time for Choosing” speech for presidential candidate Barry Goldwater led to two terms as Governor of California.

After unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 1968 and 1976, Ronald Reagan won the Republican nomination in 1980. By 1980, the nation was ready for Ronald Reagan. He won the Republican nomination and defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter.

Press Links

• Ronald Reagan: A Folklore President Who Led a Revoluntion - USA Today's extensive, indepth package of stories, photos and commentary dedicated to our 40th president. (USA Today, 1/24/11)
• 'Remembering My Father,' - A tribute to Ronald Reagan written by his son Ron Reagan. (Parade, 1/16/11)
  
• Gingrich to Keynote Reagan Event
  Springfield - A potential Republican candidate for president in 2012 will headline an event honoring Ronald Reagan near the former chief executive's birthplace in Tampico. (Bloomington Pantagraph, 12/6/10)
• Conference Examines Reagan’s Origins
  Eureka - While numerous books have been published about Ronald Reagan, few explain the role the Midwest played in shaping the life of the former president of the United States. (Peoria Journal Star, 11/30/10)
• Illinois Republicans to Pay Tribute to Ronald Reagan
  Chicago, Ill - The Illinois Republican Party will be launching a special year-long celebration of Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday in 2011. (Aledo Times Record, 11/18/10)
• Students invited to enter poetry contest for Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday
  Aledo Times Record (12/7/10)
• Tickets for Reagan Show on sale now
  Sauk Valley Newspapers (12/6/10)
• Reserve Tickets to Reagan Day at Wrigley by January 28
  Thecity1.com (Morrison Online, 12/6/10)
• Boyhood Home of Ronald Reagan
  Leaders in Dixon and throughout the state continue to roll out plans to celebrate the 100th birthday of President Ronald Reagan. Dixon and Illinois Reagan Centennial commissions have events planned throughout 2011 recognizing the 40th president, who was born Feb. 6, 1911, in Illinois. (Rockford Register Star, 10/21/10)
• Reagan Centennial kicks off
  Quad City Times (9/28/10)
• Eureka College to celebrate Ronald Reagan’s 100th
  Rockford Register Star (9/8/10)