Tampico in Whiteside County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
122 Main Street
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
1. 122 Main Street Marker
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
ca. 1900
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 41° 37.83′ N, 89° 47.171′ W. Marker is in Tampico, Illinois, in Whiteside County. Marker is on South Main Street (State Road 172) south of West Market Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 S Main St, Tampico IL 61283, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 124 Main Street (a few steps from this marker); 126 Main Street (a few steps from this marker); 119 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 117 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 115 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 113 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 110 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 111 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampico.
Regarding 122 Main Street. Excerpts from the
this page online
122 S. Main and 124 S. Main were built in 1900 by Ray McKenzie. Both storefronts were occupied by the H. C. Pitney Variety Store from 1911 to 1920. Ronald Reagan's father worked as a clerk in the store. The Reagan family occupied an apartment on the 2nd floor from August 1919 to December 1920. …
When Pitney sold the store in 1914, the Reagans left Tampico settling for a while in Chicago, Galesburg, and Monmouth. In 1919 Pitney reopened his store, and Jack Reagan returned to Tampico to work for him. The family settled into the apartment above the store August 25, 1919 until Mr. Pitney again sold the store. The Reagans moved to Dixon, Illinois December 6, 1920.
Also see . . . Tampico Main Street Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which includes this building. (National Archives) (Submitted on August 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
2. 122 Main Street Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
3. 122-124 Main Street
The adjoining spaces – 122 on the right, 124 on the left – were occupied by H.C. Pitney's general store in the 1910s.
Lamon, The Tampico Tornado, via Tampico Area Historical Society (Public Domain), February 5, 1910
4. H.C. Pitney Storefronts
Jack Reagan, father of President Ronald Reagan, was a clerk in the store on the left. Jack Reagan and his wife, Nelle, also briefly lived in the apartment above the store before their two sons were born.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 36 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
