Freeport, Illinois Explained

Freeport, Illinois
Settlement Type:City
Nickname:Pretzel City, USA
Pushpin Map:Illinois#USA
Pushpin Label:Freeport
Pushpin Relief:yes
Coordinates:42.2919°N -89.6303°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Illinois
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Stephenson
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Freeport
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1827
Established Title1:Incorporated
Established Date1:1838
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Title1:Mayor
Leader Name1:Jodi Miller[1]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[2]
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
Elevation Ft:778
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:23973
Population Density Km2:779.04
Population Density Sq Mi:2017.76
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code(s)
Postal Code:61032, 61033
Area Code:815/779
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:17-27884
Blank2 Name Sec2:Wikimedia Commons
Blank2 Info Sec2:Freeport, Illinois
Footnotes:[3]

Freeport is the county seat and largest city of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States.[4] The population was 23,973 at the 2020 census, 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

The community was originally called Winneshiek.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] In 1869, a German immigrant named John Billerbeck[8] 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.[9] [10]

Before February 1893, a large square of land was purchased from the former Keller-Wittbecker farm in East Freeport. 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.[11] 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[12] 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[13] and city offices were moved to Carnegie City Hall in February 2017.[14]

The City of Freeport transitioned to the city manager form of government in May 2017.

Geography

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.89sqmi, of which 11.88sqmi is land and 0.01sqmi is water.[15]

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 .

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.[16]

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." 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."

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[17] the population was 23,973. The population density was 2017.8PD/sqmi. There were 11,888 housing units at an average density of 1000.6/sqmi. 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

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 26,443 people, 11,222 households, and 6,845 families residing in the city. The population density was 2316.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of 1092.7sp=usNaNsp=us. 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

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

Parks and recreation

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Colleges

Media

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

Notable people

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Office of Mayor . City of Freeport . May 24, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170714203505/http://www.cityoffreeport.org/people/jodi-miller/ . July 14, 2017 .
  2. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. March 15, 2022.
  3. http://genealogytrails.com/ill/stephenson/historystephenson.html History of Stephenson County
  4. Web site: Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. 2014-01-20. State of Illinois. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140519202346/http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CircuitMap/15th.asp#Stephenson. 2014-05-19.
  5. Book: Chicago and North Western Railway Company. A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. 1908. 74.
  6. Book: Guelzom, A. . 2008 . Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America . 162 . Simon & Schuster . 978-0-7432-7320-6.
  7. Web site: Description of Freeport, Short History of Freeport . Illinois.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20110930074752/http://www.illinois.com/details/city.php?cityFips=1727884 . September 30, 2011 .
  8. Web site: John Billerbeck (1835-1899) » Stamboom familie Eilders » Genealogie Online . B.. Eilders . Genealogie Online . September 27, 2015.
  9. Web site: Let's twist again . Chicago Tribune . September 27, 2015 . live . http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150927104841/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-06-29/features/0706280746_1_local-ceiling-tasty . September 27, 2015.
  10. Web site: Pretzel City Festival in Freeport . Blair . Thomas . Illinois Farm Bureau Partners . September 27, 2015.
  11. Book: History of Stephenson County Illinois, Arcade Manufacturing Company . 510 . 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 . August 13, 2014 .
  12. Web site: About Us: History . Freeport Public Library . September 25, 2021 .
  13. News: Freeport Carnegie Library-City Hall renovations on schedule . Derrick . August 24, 2016 . Mason . Journal-Standard . Freeport, Illinois . dead . September 25, 2021 . September 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210926171025/https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20160824/freeport-carnegie-library-city-hall-renovations-on-schedule.
  14. News: Freeport unveils new city hall in renovated Carnegie Library building . Rockford Register Star . February 15, 2017 . Derrick . Mason . September 25, 2021 .
  15. Web site: 2020 Gazetteer Files . census.gov . U.S. Census Bureau . 24 July 2022.
  16. Web site: Neighborhoods Face Extinction As Floods Increase. Chase. Brett. 2019-11-11. Better Government Association. en. 2019-11-13.
  17. Web site: 2020 Decennial Census: Freeport city, Illinois . data.census.gov . U.S. Census Bureau . 24 July 2022.
  18. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 .
  19. Web site: Official site. Stephenson County Historical Society Museum. 11 December 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151218083612/http://www.stephcohs.org/. 18 December 2015.
  20. Web site: Official site. Freeport Art Museum. 11 December 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151218085122/http://www.freeportartmuseum.com/. 18 December 2015.
  21. http://www.il-ipra.org/forms/AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf AwardsRecognitionWinners.pdf
  22. Web site: Carl Sandburg Middle School. www.freeportschooldistrict.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205200/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/csand/site/default.asp . March 14, 2012.
  23. Web site: Freeport Middle School. www.freeportschooldistrict.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060811/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/fjhs/site/default.asp . March 1, 2012.
  24. Web site: Jones-Farrar Magnet School. www.freeportschooldistrict.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060714/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/elc/site/default.asp . March 1, 2012.
  25. Web site: Blackhawk Elementary School . Freeportschooldistrict.com . 2013-06-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314204600/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/bhawk/site/default.asp . 2012-03-14 .
  26. Web site: Center Elementary School. www.freeportschooldistrict.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314204607/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/center/site/default.asp . March 14, 2012.
  27. Web site: Empire Elementary School . Freeportschooldistrict.com . 2013-06-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060735/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/empire/site/default.asp . 2012-03-01 .
  28. Web site: Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School . Freeportschooldistrict.com . 2013-06-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205145/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/ldoug/site/default.asp . 2012-03-14 .
  29. Web site: Taylor Park Elementary School . Freeportschooldistrict.com . 2013-06-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314205151/http://www.freeportschooldistrict.com/tpes/site/default.asp . 2012-03-14 .
  30. Web site: Immanuel Lutheran Church and School. www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20070714205636/http://www.immanuellutheranfreeport.com/School/school_home.htm . July 14, 2007.
  31. Web site: Aquinis Catholic Schools - Freeport, IL . Aquinschools.org . 2013-06-14.
  32. Web site: Tri-County Christian School . Tricountychristian.org . 2013-06-14.
  33. Web site: Open Bible Learning Center, Freeport IL. www.freeportopenbible.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20150114214957/http://www.freeportopenbible.com/learningcenter_staff.html/ . January 14, 2015.
  34. Web site: Highland Community College . Highland.edu . 2013-06-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603225012/http://highland.edu/index.asp . 2013-06-03 .
  35. Web site: Columbia College Freeport at Highland Community College . Ccis.edu . 2013-06-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603121709/http://www.ccis.edu/nationwide/main.asp?Freeport . 2013-06-03 . dead .
  36. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1933,' Biographical Sketch of Francis Lamb, pg. 231
  37. 'Illinois Blue Book 1951-1952, Biographical Sketch of Edward E. Laughlin, pg. 170
  38. 'Illinois Blue Book 1991-1992,' Biographical Sketch of Harlan Rigney, pg. 102
  39. Illinois Blue Book 1909-1910, Biographical Sketch of Stephen Rigney, pg. 206-207
  40. Web site: Staff Directory. Essanay Studios. 7 March 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150211065016/http://essanaystudios.org/about-us/employees/. 11 February 2015.

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