Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY Ronald Reagan visited Oregon on May 16, 1965

Around 1,000 people paid to hear him speak at the “new” OHS gymnasium

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one in a series of the articles he has written.

BY OTTO DICK

This article includes a newspaper account of Ronald Reagan’s visit to the “new” Oregon High School gym on May 16, 1965.

“Ronald Reagan well known in Northern Illinois made a rousing talk at the high school gym Sunday afternoon under auspices of the Women’s Club, the Young Republican Club, the Ogle County Republican Central Committee and the Teenage Republicans.

“He came to this area to be the speaker at a $50 plate dinner for Ray Page, state superintendent of schools, and gave part of his time up here to talks at Rockford and Oregon. The attendance was well over a thousand persons who paid an admission fee to hear his talk.

“The program was opened by Ogle County Republican Chairman John Maxson. Mrs. Albert F. Madlener daughter of Gov. Lowden, introduced Congressman John B. Anderson who said a few words and then he introduced Reagan.

“He leveled criticism at what he called social planning which sometimes encourages students who are marginal students to quit school. He also promoted unity in the Republican Party stating in the past they divided themselves into separate camps with labels of conservative, liberal conservative, liberals and others.

“He stated isn’t it time we call ourselves just good Republicans?”

Ronald Reagan born Feb. 11, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, was the second son of Jack and Nelle Reagan. His parents were relatively poor, moving and living in several towns before moving to Dixon, Illinois where he grew up to adulthood.

Ronald Reagan graduated from Dixon High School in 1928 and during this time period he worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park. This was during the great depression.

After graduation he found a job at Davenport, Iowa as a radio announcer. In 1937 he moved to California and started his acting career.

His movie career playing the part of George Gupp in the movie Knute Rockne made him famous. He followed his movie career as a host of a popular weekly dramat

ABOVE: This newspaper photo caption states: Ronald Reagan talking with Mrs. Bradley Moll, co-chairman of the Reagan reception held in Oregon last Sunday. John M. Evan, president of the Ogle County Young Republican Club, looks on. BELOW:

This announcement appeared in the Republican-Reporter in 1965. Photo provided by Otto Dick/Republican-Reporter

ic series, General Electric Theatre.

In 1962 he registered as a member of the Republican Party. Before this he was a member of the Democrat Party.

In 1965 he decided to run for the Governor of California. He won that election with 58 percent of the vote and was reelected in 1970.

In November 1980, Reagan became the nation’s fortieth president. He appointed the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O Connor. He was reelected in 1984.

By the mid 1990s he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and withdrew from public appearances.

Ronald Reagan possessed a gift for inspiring the American people with his speaking style and personality.

While seeing several events in the Oregon High School Gym, I never heard anyone mention that Ronald Reagan spoke here in 1965 during the time he was in Hollywood.

This was the same year he decided to start his political career running for Governor of California.

It’s amazing that he came from a poor family, going to school in Dixon and worked as a lifeguard, became a radio announcer and then became famous in Hollywood, entered politics as Governor of California and then the 40 and 41 st President.

That’s pretty good, from a lifeguard to President.