Freeport, Illinois
|
|
Freeport is a city located in Stephenson County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,443. It is the county seat of Stephenson CountyTemplate:GR.
| Contents |
Geography
ILMap-doton-Freeport.PNG
Location of Freeport, Illinois
Freeport is located at 42°17'31" North, 89°37'49" West (42.292003, -89.630377)Template:GR. It is located approximately 20 miles south of the Wisconsin Border, and at the center of a large agricultural area, located about 25 miles west of Rockford. Highway 20. U.S. 20 is a four-lane divided highway that skirts the community's northern edge. At Rockford, it links with Interstate 90 and 39, giving Freeport residents easy access to the entire Interstate system. I-90 is the major route between Chicago and Minneapolis-St.Paul. I-39 extends from Rockford to Bloomington where it links with I-74 and I-55. From Freeport, Route 20 continues west to historic Galena, Illinois, and the metropolitan area of Dubuque, Iowa.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²). 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
The courthouse of Stephenson County is located in this city. The areacode for Freeport is 815.
Short History of Freeport
Originally called Winneshiek, the community took its name from the fact of Tutty Baker and his renowned generosity of a "Free Port" on the river Pecatonica when it incorporated. 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 in 1838, Freeport became its seat of government. 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 most significant of the historic Abraham Lincoln vs. Stephen A. Douglas debates took place in Freeport and gave the nation direction in the following years. Although Stephen Douglas won the election and retained his senate seat, his reply to a question on slavery alienated the South, which called it the "Freeport Heresy," and split the Democratic Party. 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. Each year there is also a reenactment of the debate, which has been shown on CSPAN television.
Freeport is know as "Pretzel City" which gave the High School the mascot of a Pretzel. The Freeport Pretzels, named for a Pretzel factory which once operated here. In 1858, during the migration of the Pennsylvania Germans they decided to locate in Freeport and vicinity. Making of pretzels and brewing of beer then was introduced in Freeport. A pretzel factory was erected, and as a result Freeport became known as the "Pretzel City". At one point a certain baseball coach was pettitioning to change the name to the Pioneers. This never happened, and the Pretzel mascot lived on.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 26,443 people, 11,222 households, and 6,845 families residing in the city. The population density is 894.8/km² (2,316.9/mi²). There are 12,471 housing units at an average density of 422.0/km² (1,092.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 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. 2.12% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 11,222 households out of which 28.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% are married couples living together, 12.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% are non-families. 33.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.93.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,399, and the median income for a family is $43,787. Males have a median income of $35,870 versus $25,095 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,680. 13.1% of the population and 9.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Claim to fame
Freeport's has two primary claims to fame (or infamy).
First, it was the site of the second of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 and where Stephen Douglas articulated his Freeport Doctrine.
Second, Freeport is the birthplace of Charles Guiteau, the assassin of U.S. President James Garfield in 1881.
Freeport is the birthplace of several celebraties. Among them are:
- Calista Flockhart, the star of the Fox Network's acclaimed "Ally McBeal" television show.
- Luella Parsons, the famous columnist. She is portrayed in the movie "Cats Meow" by Jennifer Tilly
- Deacon Davis of Harlem Globetrotters fame.
- Robert L. Johnson, founder of BET.
- Preston Pearson, NFL football star with the Dallas Cowboys.
Freeport community festivals
- Sojourn Folk Festival in September
- Stephenson County Fair in August
Colleges
Highland Community College is located in the city.
References
- City Of Freeport Chamber or Comerence (http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/index.htm)
- Local book "History of Freeport" Located in the Freeport Library.
- Demographics Report [1] (http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/popInfo.php?locIndex=6160)
- Highland Community College (http://www.highland.cc.il.us)
External links
- City of Freeport (http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/)