A view looking south toward downtown Dixon, from the Galena Avenue bridge, circa 1915
Fox, Sac, Pottawatomie, Winnebago, Illini and other Indians inhabited the Rock River shores, thriving on their rich soil, abundant game and vast forests long before the first explorers came to the area that is now Dixon.
The first white man of record in the Dixon area was a Frenchman, Pierre LaPorte, who lived among the tribes between 1780 and 1810.
In 1793, another Frenchman, La Sallier, came to the region and married a woman from either the Winnebago or Pottawatomie tribe. Some historians say Joseph Ogee, the man who later sold his river-crossing business to John Dixon in 1830, married a daughter of this union, Madeline.
Ogee was a French-Canadian trader, trapper and agent for the American Fur Co. He and Madeline met John Dixon, the future founder of Dixon, when both were active at Fort Clark in Peoria around 1820.
Dixon was a native of New York, born in the village of Rye in 1784. As a young adult, he moved to New York City, bought a clothing store and became active in the promo-
tion of temperance and religion. After 15 years in the city, Dixon developed pulmonary disease and was advised by his physician to move to a different climate.
He spent the next few years traveling through different regions, primarily in Illinois. During that time, more and more people were traveling north to settle the state’s rich prairies. Establishing river crossings became more important, and overcoming this natural obstacle became essential to growth.
In spring 1828, Ogee moved from Fort Clark to the Dixon area and took over a river crossing, calling his business Ogee’s Ferry. The venture failed, and 5 years later he sold it to Dixon, who had just moved to the area with his wife, Rebecca, and their five children.
- Friday: 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday - Sunday: 8 am to 1:30 pm
Dixon charged “$.25 per person and horse,” and the ferry did better under his care, remaining in operation until 1846.
Dixon also began a successful trading business with neighboring Indians and other travelers.
During the Black Hawk War, his twostory cabin was the only dwelling at Dixon’s Ferry. The surrounding grounds became a site for conflict and hostility, and although not officially changed, became known as “Fort Dixon.” It was the central command post during the war.
W hen the war ended, overland travel resumed.
In 1835, Dixon registered his 40-acre plat on the south side of the Rock River as the town of Dixon. Seven years later, 80 acres north of the river were platted and called North Dixon.
In addition to being a trader, Dixon was, among other things, an Indian interpreter, an Army counsel, the village postmaster and its first president. He taught his children in their family cabin, making him the village schoolteacher.
Later, the Methodist and Baptist churches were used for classrooms until a two-room schoolhouse was built in 1837, at a cost of $515.
By fall 1836, the tiny village had grown to include six families, a blacksmith shop and a lean-to post office. The following year, the first dry goods store opened and construction began on a hotel, which is now the Nachusa House apartments for senior citizens.
In 1839, Dixon was named Lee County seat. The first bridge was built across the Rock River in 1846, which is about the same time a dam and sawmill were built.
In 1873, what’s considered the worst road bridge disaster in American history happened in Dixon, when the Truesdell Bridge collapsed, killing 46 people.
To mark the 150th anniversary of the disaster, a historic landmark was unveiled along the city’s riverfront in May 2023 to commemorate the lives lost. As horrific as it was, the disaster led to the construction
of better bridges and improved safety standards from the American Society of Civil Engineers, said Dixon historian and professional speaker Tom Wadsworth, who’s spent years researching the event and helped spearhead the monument’s installation.
The river played a major part in the town’s prosperity. Fish were shipped to market in huge numbers, and for 50 years Dixon had a thriving clamming industry. Ice harvesting also was profitable.
By 1850, Dixon had grown to 1,073 residents. The first newspapers, the Dixon Telegraph and Lee County Herald, began publication in 1851.
Commercial development and industry continued through the next two decades. When the Illinois Central Railroad arrived in 1855, the various factories expanded to meet the needs of more people.
Lumber and flour mills, a cooperage firm and the Dixon Plow Works all added to a strong industrial picture.
By 1900, Dixon’s population reached 8,000.
Dixon also has a rich history with historical figures.
Abraham Lincoln served at Fort Dixon as a soldier during the Black Hawk War, as did future Confederacy President Jefferson Davis.
In 1887, Charles R. Walgreen moved to Dixon, and began his career by clerking for a local drugstore while attending Dixon Business College. He opened his first Walgreen Drug Store in Chicago in 1902, and his second in Dixon, at 105 W. First St., in 1904. By 1939, he had about 500 stores in 39 states.
The late President Ronald Reagan also grew up in Dixon, graduated from Dixon High School, and spent seven summers as a lifeguard at Lowell Park before moving on to a movie and political career.
Louella Parsons, who from 1915 to about 1960 was America’s premier movie gossip columnist, also was born and raised in Dixon. She died in 1972. n
The county seat of Lee County, Dixon has been a center of commerce since its inception in the late 1820s. It was named after its founder, John Dixon, who operated a ferry service across the Rock River.
Today, Dixon’s economic base is supported by government, agriculture, service and retail, as well as by major manufacturers, including Raynor Garage Doors, Bonnell Industries, UPM Raflatac Inc., BorgWarner Inc., Donaldson Co., printer Dixon Direct, SGS Refrigeration and Sewer Equipment Co. of America.
After years of planning and preparation, the goal of bringing new development to the Interstate 88 corridor finally came to fruition in 2022, when ground was broken on the Dixon Gateway project on the town’s south side. The 27-acre Gateway site along South Galena Avenue across from Walmart between Keul and Bloody Gulch roads has already brought a number of businesses to the area, including Casey’s, Chipotle, Jersey
Mike’s sandwich shop, Terrabis cannabis dispensary, Tru by Hilton hotel, and Water Castle Car Wash. The project includes the construction of about a dozen buildings, including a 16,000-square-foot anchor that will be the new Dixon Family YMCA child care center.
The city has also secured grants in recent years to undertake other major projects in town: a $12 million federal transportation grant to build a pedestrian bridge across the Rock River on former railroad bridge pylons, about $5.6 million in state transportation grants toward a $7.3 million project to extend the city bike path along the riverfront, and $3 million in grants for infrastructure work for the Gateway Project.
DIXON TODAY cont’d to page 8
ALEX T. PASCHAL\APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM Crews work on Dixon’s pedestrian bridge May 13, 2025.
TODAY cont’d from page 7
OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center, another large employer, offers comprehensive health services in Dixon and the surrounding area. The 80-bed, acute-care facility is highly rated for patient experience.
Residents have educational choices in Dixon, including the public school system and three parochial schools. Sauk Valley Community College, ranked highly for tuition affordability, is located between Dixon and Sterling.
More than 30 churches of several denominations support the spiritual needs of Dixon’s residents.
Among the town’s claims to fame is its connection to the late President Ronald Reagan, who lived in Dixon as a boy.
The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, where he and his family lived from 1920 to 1923, at 816 S. Hennepin Ave., became a National Historic Site in 1982 and welcomes visitors from across the U.S.
In recent years, nearly 100 projects big
SHOULD CHOOSE US
&
and small have been completed at the home and neighboring visitor center. Repairs and renovations range from smaller tasks such as routine maintenance on the pair of 1890s Victorian-style homes, to larger projects, such as replacing rotted woodwork, fixing and replacing storm windows, and roofing and siding work.
In December 2020, the Young America’s Foundation announced that it would be the new caretaker and owner of the home and visitor center, with a goal of not only increasing the number of visitors but transforming the home into a place where students could come for seminars and educational retreats.
Dixon is also home to numerous parks and recreational opportunities that revolve around its picturesque location on the banks of the Rock River, including the downtown Riverfront Heritage Crossing, and historic Lowell Park north of town, as well as the beautiful surrounding countryside.
DIXON TODAY cont’d to page 9
Award Recipient at ACEC - Illinois 2023 Award Recipient at ACEC - Illinois 2021
Acquisition of Wendler Engineering, Dixon, IL, in February of 2023
Acquisition of Ament, Inc, Cedar Rapids, IA, in Fall of 2020
Round and round the riders go on the Fireball on July 3, 2024, during the opening day of the Petunia Fest carnival.
ALEX T. PASCHAL | APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
More info
City of Dixon
City Hall — 121 W. Second St Open: 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. MondayFriday. CLOSED: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year’s Eve Contact: 815-288-1485 or info@ discoverdixon.org Online: dixongov.com/
Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street
87 S. Hennepin Ave. Contact: 815-284-3361 or info@ dixonnow.com Online: discoverdixon.com/
DIXON TODAY cont’d from page 8
The Dixon Park District has also been busy in recent years adding a number of amenities for the public: a half-million dollar splash pad, Water Wonderland, in Meadows Park, an ice rink with a warming shed in Page Park, and a new playground in Lowell Park, which features a 75-foot zipline.
The District’s Facility opened in 2022. The community and recreation center offers indoor basketball/volleyball courts, batting cages, a community room, an outdoor patio, games, and the Park District Office.
Dixon’s largest and oldest festival, Petunia Festival, offers a parade, carnival, concerts, fireworks, and much more; and the city continues to show its petunia pride with hundreds of petunia baskets on display downtown from May until late fall, a tradition dating back to the 1960s, earning Dixon the designation of “Petunia City.”
Other festivals and activities throughout the year, sponsored by local organizations, as well as opportunities to join many clubs, keep residents engaged and entertained. n
BRANDON CLARK | BCLARK@SHAWMEDIA.COM
The new outdoor classroom at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, seen here in May 2025.
Sauk
Valley Community College has been on a
mission to provide quality education to its diverse student body since it opened in 1965.
The fully accredited college, which sits on a 144-acre campus at 173 state Route 2, between Dixon and Sterling, serves about 1,800 full- and part-time students a year from 16 in-district high schools, 18 states and three foreign countries, in courses that include GED and ESL classes, community enrichment courses, business training and dual credit courses for high-schoolers.
Sauk offers 2-year transfer associate degrees in art or science in more than 40 areas, 22 career-technical degrees, 24 associate degrees, and an associate in engineering science degree, along with 50 careertechnical certificates.
In November 2018, Sauk’s ag students harvested their first crop of corn and soybeans at the college, part of the college’s new and rapidly growing agriculture program. The hands-on harvest lesson taught students how to test factors that affect yield, such as soil properties, nitrogen and water levels.
Mens and womens sports, cultural activities and events, and more than 20 student clubs and organizations, including Phi Theta
Kappa (the honor society for 2-year colleges), student government, Association of Latin American Students, Magic Club, Campus Crusade for Christ and Math Club, contribute to the vibrant campus life. Students also have access to a full fitness center and weight room.
Sauk also has an active ABC AmeriCorps program, in which students earn a stipend while working with children, youth and families as well as community-based agencies, small towns and municipalities, learning life skills while contributing to the health of area communities.
As part of its commitment to the region’s economic development, in early 2016 Sauk launched its Small Business Development Center, and the Sauk Valley Community College Community Leadership Program.
The Center is a resource for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, in collaboration with the Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls chambers of commerce, city and county officials, and local banks.
SAUK cont’d to page 11
Recently, the college has added an outdoor multipurpose space for students, which features a classroom area, stage, several hammocks, a traveling artists’ display, new seating, tables and a nearby student coffee bar.
The outdoor classroom features stone bench-style seating; several black pillars equipped with power outlets for students to charge their electronic devices; and three large whiteboards for instructors, one of which has a reddish tint to reduce sun glare.
can come out here, study, have performances and classroom presentations.”
Besides student use, Mandrell said the outdoor space also will host several community events, such as the college’s Tri-Chamber business gathering in July and the alumni celebration that follows the annual student commencement. Eventually, he would like to hold the school’s police academy graduation there.
More info
Call 815-288-5511, go to svcc.edu or, find Sauk Valley Community College on Facebook
Vice President of Academics and Student Services Jon Mandrell said that the college had longed for an opportunity to revitalize its riverfront space near the Rock River, and it was just a matter of where and when to do it.
“I think the biggest outcome of the project was to revitalize the space, capitalizing the riverfront use, but then also to create a multipurpose space,” Mandrell said. “You
The project cost about $1.5 million and was funded using a combination of the college’s local funds and a state grant.
The recent additions at Sauk are examples of the college’s continued impact on the community and the role it plays in economic growth for the area.
“There was a time when Sauk was seen as a hidden gem, and it’s starting to shine bigger than we’ve ever dreamt,” said Sauk Board member Lisa Wiersema during the college’s first Police Academy graduation ceremony in 2022. n
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The firemen turned the library over to the city in 1895-96. In 1899, O. B. Dodge, the first president of the library board, offered to build a new building, which was formally opened to Dixon residents in early 1901.
The library celebrated its 125th anniversary in May 2020, and the building its 120th, and many changes have occurred over the years.
The building was remodeled in 1955 to add a children’s department and an addition was built and opened in 1969, providing the library with its present layout. An elevator was installed in 1986 and the entire building was refurbished in 1994.
In early 2015, work began on a $1.5 million project to strengthen the bones of the turn-of-the-century stone building and its 45-year-old addition.
In 2019, work was finished on a major overhaul of the library’s 1900 wing, which brought it closer to how it looked the day it opened. The project included removing a false ceiling built during the 1969 expansion and doing restoration work on the walls and the ceiling in the attic. Wiring improvements also were made.
Today, the library is home to more than 90,000 volumes. It’s also a member of the Rock River Libraries Consortium, which
shares a catalog of more than 250,000 items available for loan. A media center, now housing 1,000 DVDs and nearly 1,000 CDs and audio books, was added in 1988. Special collections of interest include the Lincoln collection and a display of original World War I posters, as well as special works published by the library on local history.
In addition to the books in house, the library also provides free access to e-books, audiobooks and online resources, all available without needing to visit the library. Computers, equipped with Wi-Fi and other Internet access, are available to the public. The library catalog, as well as many other resources, are available from the library’s website.
Its Library of Things features items that can be used at home, such as calculators, magnifying readers, barcode scanner, tools and other items.
The library also hosts book clubs, reading programs for adults and children, and special events for all ages.
Library cards are free to anyone who lives within city limits, or $80 a year per household for those living outside the city limits. The library is a fine-free library, with no late fees on borrowed books.
Its director is Christina Keasler, who was appointed in 2023. n
OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon has been serving the community since
1897.
Formerly known as Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital (KSB Hospital), the medical center was founded with a generous gift from Judge Solomon Bethea in honor of his late wife, Katherine. In 2025, OSF Saint Katharine became part of the OSF HealthCare Ministry, a 17-hospital Catholic health network serving Illinois and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Over the years, what began as KSB has evolved into an 80-bed acute care facility serving the Sauk Valley and offering a wide range of services, including emergency medicine, obstetrics, inpatient psychiatry, cardiovascular care, outpatient s urgery, intensive care, and more. The healthcare system also includes eight clinics offering primary and specialty care services.
Headquartered in Peoria, OSF HealthCare employs almost 26,000 Mission Partners in 171 locations, including 17 hospitals, with 2,305 licensed beds, 200 OSF Medical Group primary care and specialty care clinics, 41 urgent care locations, and two colleges of nursing throughout Illinois and Michigan.
More info
OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center
403 E. First St., Dixon | 815-288-5531 osfsaintkatharine.org and facebook.com/OSFSaintKatharine
Key services
• Anticoagulation clinic
• Audiology
• Birthing center
• Behavioral health — inpatient and intensive outpatient program
• Diabetes management
• Eye and vision care
• Gastroenterology
• Home care
• Infusion services
• Interventional cardiology
• Orthopedics
• Pain clinic
In addition to the hospital, OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center has developed a regional network of primary care clinics and a multi-specialty physician group. Each year, it invests in advanced technology, modern facilities, and its employees to ensure its continues to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of the people we serve.
• Primary care and pediatrics
• Rehabilitation – physical, occupational and speech
• Sleep medicine
• Surgical service
• Testing and diagnostics – X-ray, 3D mammography, MRI, CT, ultrasounds and nuclear medicine
• Womens health services
• Wound care and hyperbarics
OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
The OSF HealthCare physician network employs more than 2,215 primary care, specialist and advanced practice providers.
Through its OSF Home Care Services, it operates an extensive network of services, including eight home health agencies, eight hospice agencies (including an inpatient hospice home), home infusion pharmacy, and home medical equipment.
It also owns Pointcore Inc., composed of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups.
The Ministry Services office in Peoria provides corporate management services, as well as direction, consultation and assistance to the administration of the health care facilities. n
— SOURCE: osfhealthcare.org
Educational needs in Dixon are met through public and private schools. Dixon Public Schools has three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Special education services are provided at each school. Dixon also has three parochial schools.
School district
District 170 Office
1335 Franklin Grove Road
815-284-7722
dps170.org
Lee County Special Education Association office
1335 Franklin Grove Road
815-284-6651
Public schools
Dixon High School
300 Lincoln Statue Drive
815-284-7723
Online: dps170.org/o/dhs Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: About 800 students
Principal: Jared Shaner
Reagan Middle School
620 Division St.
815-284-7725
Online: dps170. org/o/rms Grades: 6-8
Enrollment: About 600
Principal: Matthew Magnafici
Madison Elementary School 618 Division St. 815-284-7726
Online: dps170.org/o/mes Grades: 4-5
Enrollment: About 400
Principal: Joseph Sagel
Jefferson Elementary School
800 Fourth Ave.
815-284-7724
Online: dps170.org/o/jes Grades: 2-3
Enrollment: About 400
Principal: Crystal Thorpe
Washington Elementary School
703 E. Morgan St. 815-284-7727
Online: dps170.org/o/wes Grades: Preschool through first
Enrollment: About 430
Principal: Kellie Glenn
Parochial Schools
Faith Christian School
Faith Christian School is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. In operation since 1980, the school is an interdenominational ministry of Faith Assembly Church. 7571 S. Ridge Road, Grand Detour 815-652-4806
Online: fcsfalcons. com
Grades: Preschool through 12
Enrollment: About 100
Principal: Aaron Fasler
St. Anne Catholic School 1112 N. Brinton Ave.
815-288-5619
Online: stanneschooldixon.org Grades: Preschool through eighth
Enrollment: About 120
Principal: Talarie Bilharz
St. Mary Catholic School
704 S. Peoria Ave.
815-284-6986
Online: stmarysdixon.org
Grades: Preschool through eighth
Enrollment: About 200
Principal: Luke Phillips
Note: Addresses are in Dixon, unless otherwise noted
American Red Cross of Northwest Illinois — 727 N. Church St., Rockford; 815-9638471; redcross.org/local/illinois/chicago-andnorthern-illinois/about-us/locations/ northwest-illinois.html
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sauk Valley — 506 W. Fourth St., Ste. 27, Sterling; 815-716-8987; bbbs-mv.org and on Facebook
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) — 101 W. First Street (third floor); 815-288-1901; http://casa15thdistrict.org/
Dixon Community Food Pantry — 2001 W. Fourth St.; 815288-4848; on Facebook
Dixon Family YMCA — 110 N. Galena Ave.; 815-288-9622; dixonymca.org or facebook.com/dixonfamilyymca/
Dixon Greeter — Tere Elliott; dixongreeter2@gmail.com or 815-994-0422
Dixon Habitat for Humanity — P.O. Box 11 and 924 W. First St.; habitat.org/il/dixon/
dixon-hfh and on Facebook (“Habitat for Humanity Dixon, IL “; 815-564-8690 or dixonhabitatforhumanity@habitatdixonil.org
Dixon Chamber of Commerce & Main Street — 87 S. Hennepin Ave.; 815-284-3361; discoverdixon.com or facebook.com/discoverdixon
Dixon Park District — 1312 Washington Ave.; 815-284-3306 or adminassist@dixonparkdistrict. com; dixonparkdistrict.com and facebook.com/dixonparkdistrict#
Dixon Welcome Center — 87 S. Hennepin Ave.; 815284-3361; discoverdixon.com
Dixon Rotary Club — OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center, Agnes Florence Room, 403 E. First St.; 815-973-1094; https://www.rotary6420.org/ and facebook. com/DixonRotaryClub
Granny Rose Animal Shelter — 613 River Lane; 815-288-7387; grannyroseanimalshelter.org or facebook.com/grannyrose.org/
SERVICE AGENCIES cont’d to page 18
The First National Bank in Amboy Personal Lending Team
449810
1493020
1509453
686407
1248405
Tri-County Opportunities Council
The Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC), Community Action Agency, was organized and incorporated in 1965 by a group of interested citizens from Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties for the purposes of investigating the frequency, location, character, and cause of poverty; and coordinating efforts to prevent, alleviate and eliminate poverty through the cooperation of public agencies, private organizations, businesses, industries, and interested individuals.
The ability to implement unique and diverse solutions has afforded the Agency opportunities to grow, adjust and keep current in addressing the existing needs across communities. Today, TCOC serves the nine Illinois counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside.
Through a wide scope of programming, services are available for utility assistance, rental assistance, housing, home weatherization, homeless prevention, early childhood education, food inadequacies, and a variety of other services. All services are focused on improving the community by providing resources for people to lead better lives and achieve their full potential. TCOC programs are listed below. For additional and more detailed information, please visit the Agency website at www.tcochelps.org.
Community Services Block Grant: Provides funding to Community Action Agencies, like Tri-County Opportunities Council, to reduce poverty, revitalize income-eligible communities, and empower income-eligible families to become self-sufficient.
Foster Grandparent Program: Provides an opportunity for volunteers age 55 and older to stay active by giving between 5 and 40 hours a week to provide emotional and educational support to children in the classroom.
Early Head Start/Head Start Program: Provides comprehensive child and family development services for pregnant women and families with children ages birth to 5. The program’s main goals are to work in partnership with parents to promote children’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and school readiness.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Provides assistance to help households pay for the rising cost of winter energy services.
Weatherization Program: Provides home weatherization services to make homes safe and energy efficient, reducing the amount of fuel it takes to heat the home comfortably.
Hope Cancer Wellness Center — 1637 Plock Drive; 815-288-4673; homeofhopeonline.org and facebook.com/HopeCWC
Illinois State National Guard; National Guard Armory — 412 W. Everett St.; 309-5674980; www.il.ngb.army.mil
Kreider Services Direct care programs for persons with developmental disabilities; 500 Anchor Road; 815-288-6691; kreiderservices.org and facebook.com/KreiderServices
Lee County Council on Aging — 100 W. Second St.; 815-288-9236; leecountycouncilonaging.net and facebook.com/leecountycouncilonaging/
Lee County Farm Bureau — 37 S. East Ave., Amboy; 815-857-3531; leecfb.org and facebook.com/LeeCountyFarmBureau
Lee County Health Department — 309 S. Galena Ave.; 815-284-3371; lchd.com and facebook.com/LCHDIL
Lee County Housing Authority — 1000 Washington Ave.; 815284-2759; on Facebook
Lee County Industrial Development Association — 101 W. Second St., Suite 301; 815-285-8996; https:// lcida.us/
Lee County Soil and Water Conservation District — 319 S. Mason Ave., Amboy; 815-857-3623 ext. 110; leecountyil.com
Lee County Special Education — 1335 Franklin Grove Road; 815-284-6651; dps170. org/page/lcsea and facebook.com/dixonpublicschools
Lee County Tourism — 877-847-5332 or visitleecountyil@gmail.com; visitleecountyil. com and facebook.com/leecountyillinois
Leydig Memorial Center — 1107 Warp Road; 815-284-7772; facebook.com/theleydigcenter/
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois — 1245-A N. Galena Ave.; 815-626-7333; lssi.org and facebook.com/LSSIPreventionServices
Meals on Wheels — 403 E. First St., lifescapeservices.org/services/nutrition/ or facebook.com/LifescapeCommunityServices/; 815-963-1609
Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living — 412 Locust St., Ster-
ling; 815-625-7860; nicil.org and facebook. com/NICIL412/
Northwestern Illinois Special Olympics — 850 N. Church St., Rockford; 309-888-255; soill.org/regiona/
PADS Homeless Shelter — 805 W. 1st St. (to donate, send to P.O. Box 593); 815288-6818; on facebook.com/padsdixonil Reagan Mass Transit— Provides curb-tocurb service for all ages. All vehicles equipped with lifts for disabled persons. 210 E. Progress Drive; 815-288-2117; reaganmasstransit.org and facebook.com/ReaganMassTransitDistrict
Rock River Hospice & Home — 2706 Ave. E, Sterling; 815-625-3858; hospicerockriver. org and facebook.com/rockriverhospiceandhome/
Sinnissippi Centers — Mental health and addiction services; 325 state Route 2; sinnissippi.com and facebook.com/SinnissippiCenters; 815-284-6611; 24-hour crisis hotline, 800-2427642
Small Business Development Center — 173 state Route 2 Room 3L22; 815-8356244; sauksbdc.com and facebook.com/sauksbdc Tri-County Opportunities Council — 405 Emmons Ave., Rock Falls; 800-323-5434 or tcoc@tcochelps. org; tcochelps.org and on Facebook
United Way of Lee County — 98 S. Galena Ave.; 815-284-3339; unitedwayofleecounty.org and facebook.com/unitedwayleecounty/
University of Illinois Extension Lee County — 280 W. Wasson Road, Amboy; 815857-3525; https://extension.illinois.edu/ clw/4-h-lee-county and facebook.com/UIExtension
VFW Post 540 — 1560 Franklin Grove Road; 815-288-5165; facebook.com/DixonVfwPost540/
VITAL Adult Literacy Program — 173 state Route 2; 815-835-6310; svcc.edu/community/adult-education/vital
White Oak Women’s Clinic — 1503 First Ave., Suite C, Rock Falls; 815-949-9964; myfutureapproved.com/white-oak-clinic/ and facebook.com/whiteoakwomensclinic
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4-H, University of Illinois Extension — 280 W. Wasson Road, Amboy; extension.illinois.edu/clw/4-h-lee-county or 815-857-3527
Al Morrison Baseball Program — Online: almorrisonbaseball.org and Facebook; E-mail: almorrisonbaseball@gmail. com
American Legion Auxiliary — 1120 W. First St.; https://ilpost12.weebly.com; 815-284-2003
Boy Scouts, White Eagle District — P.O. Box 41; blackhawkscouting.org/ whiteeagle
Dixon Athletic Booster Club — P.O. Box 244; facebook.com/DPSAthleticBoosterClub
Dixon Area Garden Club — P.O. Box 127; E-mail: dagc1@grics.net
Dixon Bowling Association — Plum Hollow Lanes, 1933 state Route 26; 815-284-3000
Dixon Coin Club (Dixon Elks Lodge 779) — 1279 Franklin Grove Road; ilnaclub. org/clubs.html; 815535-8427
Dixon Elks Lodge 779, Dixon Elks Auxiliary — 1279 Franklin Grove Road; elks.org/lodges/contactus.cfm?lodge=779 or 815-288-3557
Dixon Evening Lions Club — P.O. Box 916
Dixon Family YMCA — 110 N. Galena Ave.; dixonymca.org and facebook.com/ dixonfamilyymca/; 815-288-9622
Dixon Junior Dukes Football — P.O. Box 371; 815-499-0603; on Facebook (“Dixon Junior Dukes”)
Dixon Lioness Club — On Facebook
Dixon Noon Lions — 815-284-8845
Dixon Petunia Festival — Office at 77 S. Hennepin Ave. (seasonal hours; see website for more information); petuniafestival.org or facebook.com/PetuniaFestival/; 815-288-7465
Dixon Rotary Club — 221 W. Third Street, P.O. Box 83; rotary6420.org and facebook.com/DixonRotaryClub
Dixon Shriner Club — tebala.com/ shrine-clubs-units/dixon-shrine-club/ or 815-262-4416
Dixon Sister Cities Association P.O. Box 582; dixongov.com (under Departments link) and on Facebook
Dixon Historic Theatre — 114 S. Galena Ave.; dixontheatre.com and facebook.com/dixontheatre/; 815-285-1917
Dixon Wrestling Club — On Facebook (“Dixon Wrestling Club - DWC “); 815-6311877 or dixonwrestling@yahoo.com
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois — Rock Falls Resource Center 229 First Ave., Ste. 1; www.girlscoutsni.org; 844-4764463 or info@girlscoutsni.org
Gyro Club, a Dixon mens club — 815-2842020, https://gyro.org/ district-clubs/ Junior Achievement — 800 12th Ave., Moline; jaheartland.org, 309-736-1630
Kiwanis Club of Dixon — dixonkiwanis.org or facebook.com/DixonKiwanis#; 815-8767726 or contact@dixonkiwanis.com
Knights of Columbus — 506 W. Third St., P.O. Box 52, Dixon; facebook.com/ kofc690/; 815-288-1821
Lee County Bar Association — 119 W. First St.; or 815-288-4949
Lee County Democratic Party — P.O. Box 255, leecodemocrats.com/ and facebook.com/leecountydemocrats; 815-8784230 or demsofleecountyil@gmail.com
Lee County Farm Bureau — 37 S. East Ave., P.O. Box 198, Amboy; leecfb.org and facebook.com/LeeCountyFarmBureau; 815-857-3531
CLUBS & GROUPS cont’d to page 21
Lee County Genealogical and Historical Society — 113 S. Hennepin Ave.; leecountyhgs.org and facebook.com/ LeeCountyHistoricalSociety; 815-284-1134 or leecountyhgs@gmail.com
Lee County Republican Central Committee — 101 W. Second St./ P.O. Box 223, Dixon; leecountyilgop.com/ and facebook. com/LeeCountyRepublicansCentralCommittee
Marine Corps League (VFW Post 540) — theillinoismarine.com
Northwestern Illinois Special Olympics —850 N. Church St. Rockford; www.soill.org/regiona/; 309-888-2551 or soill.org/contact/
P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter KM — peoillinois.org
P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter AC — peoil-
linois.org
Reagan Home Foundation — 816 S. Hennepin Ave.; https://yaf.org/reagan-boyhood-home/ or facebook.com/reaganhome; or 815-288-5176
Rock River Garden Club — facebook. com/RockRiverGardenClub ; 815-9735091 or rockrivergc@gmail.com
Rock River Human Resources Professional Association — P.O. Box 962; rrhrpa.shrm.org or facebook.com/RRHRPA/ Sauk Valley American Association of University Women — 173 State Route 2; 815-288-5511
TOPS Chapter 617 — 815284-8321.
VFW Post 540, VFW Post Auxiliary — 1560 Franklin Grove Road; facebook.com/ DixonVfwPost540/; 815-288-5165
VITAL Adult Literacy Program — 173 state Route 2; svcc.edu/community/adulteducation/vital/; 815-835-6310
ALEX T. PASCHAL | APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Campers get down and sudsy June 18, 2024, at The Facility in Dixon, during the Dixon Park District’s two-day SPARK Camp.
Whether you’re looking for a place to play ball, have a picnic, or take a leisurely stroll, Dixon offers plenty of parks to pick from Go to dixonparkdistrict.com/ for more information.
Ballou Park — 600 E. Seventh St.; lighted ball diamonds, basketball court, playground and picnic shelter
Bluff View — 900 E. River Rd.; a 1.5-acre park offering river views
Chula Vista — 801 Chula Vista Drive; greenspace
Custer Boat Dock — 251 Custer Ave.; boat access and fishing, ADA accessible gangways and dock
Dement Park — 501 S. Dement Ave.; playground
E.C. Smith Park — 455 W. Seventh St.; playground, tennis courts, picnic tables,water fountain, sledding hill
The Facility 1312 Washington Ave.; featuring full-size basketball courts, automated volleyball nets, batting cages, com-
munity room, outdoor patio, game room, and the Dixon Park District administrative offices; open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find Dixon Park District on Facebook, call 815-284-3306, or go to dixonparkdistrict.com/the-facility for more information.
Grace Johnston Park — 1100 South Highland Ave.; playground, basketball court, picnic tables
Howell Park — 324 E. Boyd St.; riverwalk, E. N. Howell memorial and bank fishing
PARKS cont’d to page 24
Joe Stengel Trail — Lowell Park Road. to Polo; an 11-mile unpaved multipurpose trail, and Gee’s Grove and Penrose prairies; leecountyfun.com
John Dixon Park — 515 N. Galena Ave.; playground and Lions picnic shelter
Lowell Park — 2109 Lowell Park Road.; a 200-acre woodland along the Rock River, scenic drives, hiking trails, natural area, nine picnic shelters, nature center, ball diamond, 7 miles of cross-country ski trails, disc golf course, playground with zip line kids, ADA boat access and fishing
Lowell Park Bike Path — 806 Washington Ave.: 3.5-mile paved bike path
Meadows Park — 1400 Washington Ave.; 567 acres of open space along the Rock River. Amenities: Water Wonderland splash pad and water features, multipurpose trails for horseback riding, hiking, biking, hunting and snowmobiling; bank fishing; Wooden Wonderland playground;
Advance EMS of Dixon Inc. began in 1983 with one ambulance and five employees. To date, they have 6 ambulance and 35 employees. Advance EMS of Dixon, Inc. provides advanced life support and critical care not just to Dixon but also the surrounding communities.
Kiwanis picnic shelter; the Miller Golf Complex; Archery Hunting; roller hockey courts and soccer fields
Miller Golf Complex — 1010 Washington Ave.; lighted driving range, 9-hole course; pitching/putting greens; 24-hour ball machine; 815-284-3306
Northwest Territory Historic Center
— 205 W. Fifth St.; A museum/history research and learning center housed in President Reagan’s boyhood school; features exhibits on Presidents Lincoln and Reagan, local Chautauqua history, Dixon history, World War I, prairie life, and more; 815-288-5508 or info@nthc.org: Online: https://nthc.org/ and on Facebook.
Page Park — 221 Lincoln Statue Drive; scenic drive, band shell, ball diamonds, ADA boat access, fishing, tennis courts, picnic shelters, seasonal ice rink
Park 4 Paws dog park — Washington Ave., behind soccer fields; agility courses and open play areas, pre-registration required to use park, 815-284-3306
President’s Park — 100 Lincoln Statue Drive; riverwalk, veterans memorial and is adjacent to state-owned Lincoln Statue site and historic log cabin
Reynolds Field — 1900 W. Second St.; lighted ball diamonds and picnic shelter
Triangle Park — 500 E. Everett St.; green space, butterfly garden
Vaile Park — 2023 W. Third St.; splash pad, historic Memorial Pool structure, playground, picnic shelter, horseshoe courts, volleyball;
Van Arnum’s Island and Willow Island, Rock River — wildlife preserve, no admittance
Veterans Memorial Park — 668 Veterans Parkway, at intersection of Palmyra Road and Palmyra Street; city-owned park with military equipment and memorial; honorourvets.org
Wooden Wonderland — 1550 Washington Ave.; huge wooden play structure and picnic shelter n
APOSTOLIC
Greater Life Church — 1403 Hemlock Ave.; 815284-8680; glcdixon.org and Facebook
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Assembly of God Church — 933 Mekeel Road, 815-284-3090; facebook.com/dixonassembly/ Faith Assembly of Grand Detour — 7881 S. Green St., Dixon; 815-652-4488; faithgranddetour. org/ and Facebook
BAPTIST
Calvary Baptist Church — 313 S. Van Buren Ave., 815-288-2453; facebook.com/calbap01/
First Baptist Church — 111 E. Second St.; 815284-6823; fbcdixon.com and Facebook
Hope Bible Fellowship — 732 N. Brinton Ave.; 815-677-9185; hopeofdixon.com and Facebook
Northside Baptist Church — 598 River Lane; 815288-5212; northsidedixon.com and Facebook
Second Baptist Church — 501 W. Third St.; 815288-1566
BRETHREN
Dixon Church of the Brethren — 215 N. Court St.; 815-284-271; https://www.dixoncob. org/ and facebook.com/dixoncob
CATHOLIC
St. Anne Catholic Church — 1104 N. Brinton Ave.; 815-288-3131; stanneparishdixon.org and facebook.com/stanneparishdixon
St. Patrick Catholic Church — 612 Highland Ave; 815-284-7719; stpatrickdixon.org and facebook.com/StPatrickDixon
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
First Church of Christ Scientist — 321 W. Second St.; 815-408-0160; facebook.com/ChristianScienceDixon/
CHURCH OF GOD
Grace Point Church of God — 1620 Sauk Road.; 573-703-7503; gracepointdixon.org/ and facebook.com/gracepointdixon
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
First Christian Church — 123 S. Hennepin Ave.; 815-288-1222; unitedstateschurches.com/ illinois/first-christian-church-dixon/195787
EPISCOPAL
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church — 221 W. Third St.; 815-288-2151; stlukesdixon.org and Facebook
EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL
Bethel Evangelical Congregational Church — 131 N. Court St.; 815-284-3849; dixonbethel. com and facebook.com/dixonbethel
St. James Evangelical Congregational Church — 1552 U.S. Route 52; 815-288-2446
FOURSQUARE
Foursquare Gospel Church — 103 E. Morgan St.; 815-288-1778; foursquaremissions.org and facebook.com/DixonFoursquareChurch/
ISLAMIC
Sauk Valley Islamic Center — 202 E. Fellows St.; 815-284-4868
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses — 634 Countryside Lane; 815-288-4019; Facebook
LUTHERAN
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church — 2035 state Route 26; 815-284-4554; coslcdixon.org and facebook.com/coslcdixon
Immanuel Lutheran Church — 1013 Franklin Grove Road; 815-284-2804; immanueldixon. org and facebook.com/ilcdixon
St. Paul Lutheran Church — 421 S. Peoria Ave.; 815-288-2757; stpauldixon.org and facebook. com/StPaulDixon
METHODIST
First United Methodist Church — 202 S. Peoria Ave.; 815-284-2849; fumcdixon.org and facebook. com/FUMCDixon
Grace United Methodist Church — 921 E. Chamberlin St.; 815-288-1505; dixongraceumc.com and facebook.com/DixonGraceUMC
NAZARENE
Living Well Church of the Nazarene — 116 E. First St., Dixon; 815-973-5981; livingwellchurch. org and Facebook
Lost Lake Community Church of the Nazarene — 90 W. Flagg Road; 815-973-5981; lostlakechurch.org and facebook.com/LostLakeChurch
NONDENOMINATIONAL
Sauk Valley Community Church 498 state Route 2, 815-288-7000; saukchurch.com and Facebook
Sugar Grove Church — 352 Timber Creek Road; 815-288-2811; and Facebook
Turning Point Community Church — 944 Stony Point Road; 815-288-2625; tpointchurch.net and facebook.com/tpointchurch
The Worship Center — 403 N. Ottawa; 815-6779694; worshipctr.com and Facebook
PRESBYTERIAN
First Presbyterian Church — 110 E. Third St.; 815-284-7741; fpcdixon.com and facebook.com/ dixonfirstpresbyterian
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Sauk Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church — 416 Prospect St., 815-677-9199, saukvalleyil. adventistchurch.org and facebook.com/dixonsda
GARBAGE PICKUP
AM Disposal
P.O. Box 915, Sterling 815-973-4626
https://amdisposal.net/
Midwest Disposal
P.O. Box 585, Dixon 815-288-1089 or inbox@ midwestdisposalllc.com
Lee County Treasurer 112 E. Second St. 815-288-4477
leecountyil.com/268/Treasurer
HEALTH CARE
OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center
403 E. First St. 815-288-5531
osfhealthcare.org/hospitals/saint-katharine
INTERNET
Surf Internet
888-274-6381 or hello@surfinternet.com surfinternet.com
Comcast (cable & internet)
1-800-934-6489
xfinity.com
LIBRARY
Dixon Public Library
221 S. Hennepin Ave.
815-284-7261
dixonpubliclibrary.org
OTHER
Driver’s License Station 925 S. Peoria Ave. 815-288-6685
ilsos.gov
Sauk Valley Media (news outlet) 113 S. Peoria Ave. 815-284-2224
saukvalley.com
U.S. Post Office
405 W. Second St. 815-284-5015
usps.com
PUBLIC SAFETY
EMERGENCY? CALL 911
Advance EMS Ambulance
700 Countryside Lane 815-288-6898
https://advems.com
Dixon Police Department
220 S. Hennepin Ave. 815-288-4411
dixongov.com/departments/policedepartment
Dixon Fire Department
210 S. Hennepin Ave. 815-288-3323
dixongov.com/departments/firedepartment
Dixon Rural Fire Department 1020 Palmyra St. 815-284-6897
Find “Dixon Rural Firefighters Association” on Facebook
Lee County Sheriff 240 E. Progress Drive 815-284-5217
leecountyil.com/258/Sheriffs-Department
UTILITIES
ComEd (electricity) 919 First St. 800-334-7661
comed.com
NICOR Gas
1844 Ferry Road, Naperville 800-427-6748
nicor.com
Dixon Water Department
121 W. Second St. 815-288-7474
dixongov.com (under the Departments link)
IDEAL VENUE FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY GATHERINGS
• WEDDINGS
• BIRTHDAY PARTIES
• RECEPTIONS
• FAMILY REUNIONS
• GRADUATIONS
• HOLIDAY PARTIES
HISTORIC BARN
Caterer of your choice or bring your own food. Handicapped accessible. Climate-controlled & Bounce House Friendly RENOVATED WITH YOU IN MIND
PRIMARY CARE
ANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS for
OSF can help you live a healthier life
Many times, obvious symptoms tell us when something is wrong with our health. But other times, we may feel fine and not realize there’s an underlying problem.
That’s why an annual wellness visit conducted by a primary care provider (PCP) is so important.
Schedule an appointment today. Find a primary care provider at osfhealthcare.org/primary or by scanning the QR code.
