Freeport Township in Stephenson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Richard F. Sokup
"The Senator"
| | 1938-2004 | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
1. Richard F. Sokup Marker
Beginning in 1958 until his death, Freeport native Rich Sokup portrayed Stephen A. Douglas in countless re-enactments and programs about the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. His dedication to preserving the historic legacy of the Debates, both in Freeport and across the Nation, is memorialized in this plaque, placed here by the Lincoln-Douglas Society as a tribute to our friend, our president, and our inspiration.
I am not for the dissolution of the Union under any circumstances
S. A. Douglas, Freeport, 27 August 1858.
Erected by Lincoln-Douglas Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
Location. 42° 18.031′ N, 89° 37.168′ W. Marker is in Freeport, Illinois, in Stephenson County. It is in Freeport Township. It can be reached from East Douglas Street (Illinois Route 75) just east of North State Avenue, on the left when traveling east. The marker is mounted at ground-level along the walkway in Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 East Douglas Street,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert J. Schmelzle (here, next to this marker); Douglas Re-elected (here, next to this marker); The Legacy Remains (here, next to this marker); Lincoln and Douglas in Debate 1858 (a few steps from this marker); Freeport Commemorates (a few steps from this marker); The Debates and the Media (within shouting distance of this marker); The Freeport Lincoln-Douglas Debate (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Debate Square (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Freeport.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. 2nd Lincoln-Douglas Debate Freeport, Illinois
Also see . . . Richard Francis The Senator Sokup.
via Lincoln-Douglas Sociery of Freeport, unknown
2. Richard F. Sokup as Stephen A. Douglas
Photographed by Olga Carlile, Freeport Remembers, 1994
3. Re-enactment, 1994
Published by the Lincoln-Douglas Society, 1995. Richard F. Sokup portrayed Senator Stephen A. Douglas for this event, as well as for the 1958 Centennial.
C-SPAN video of the 1994 staging (3h 19m 30s)
Click for more information.
C-SPAN video of the 1994 staging (3h 19m 30s)
Click for more information.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023
4. Richard F. Sokup Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on May 24, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on September 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
