Freeport Township in Stephenson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Richard F. Sokup

"The Senator"

— 1938-2004 —

Richard F. Sokup Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023

1. Richard F. Sokup Marker

Inscription. 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. Marker 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, Freeport IL 61032, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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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 . . . Lincoln-Douglas Freeport Debate (C-Span re-enactment video). Excerpt:

Stephen A. Douglas, the incumbent senator, (as portrayed by Richard Sokup), and Abraham Lincoln, a former congressman and current attorney, (as portrayed by George Buss), met for the second in a series of seven debates for the right to represent Illinois in the Senate. They debated the issues of the day before an outdoor crowd in Freeport, Illinois. Mr.Douglas and Mr. Lincoln again
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 11, 2023

2. Richard F. Sokup Marker
(looking west through Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square • East Douglas Street is on the left)
traded accusations, Mr. Douglas accusing Lincoln of being an abolitionist and Mr. Lincoln accusing Douglas of being for the nationalization of slavery.

(Submitted on September 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.