Dixon in Lee County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Reagan Way
Photographed By Christopher Light, November 17, 2006
1. Reagan Way Marker
Inscription.
Reagan Way. . Hennepin Avenue was often walked by a young Ronald Reagan from home to downtown and back. The street has four landmark institutions that played a vital role in the development of his character. They include the boyhood home, the grade school, now Dixon Historic Center, Dixon Public Library and the First Christian Church. This street has been designated as Reagan Way and a historical landmarks by the Dixon Historical Preservation Commission.
Hennepin Avenue was often walked by a young Ronald Reagan from home to downtown and back. The street has four landmark institutions that played a vital role in the development of his character. They include the boyhood home, the grade school, now Dixon Historic Center, Dixon Public Library and the First Christian Church. This street has been designated as Reagan Way and a historical landmarks by the Dixon Historical Preservation Commission.
Erected 1999 by Dixon Historical Preservation Commission.
Location. 41° 50.154′ N, 89° 28.836′ W. Marker is in Dixon, Illinois, in Lee County. Marker is at the intersection of South Hennepin Avenue / Reagan Way and West 9th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Hennepin Avenue / Reagan Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dixon IL 61021, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reagan Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Dixon Historic Center
Photographed By Christopher Light, November 17, 2006
2. Reagan Way Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015
3. Ronald Reagan
This 1989 portrait of Ronald Reagan by Henry Casselli, Jr. hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
“When ex-California governor Ronald Reagan began his presidency in 1981, his warmth and skill in handling the media had already planted the seeds of his reputation as the ‘great communicator.’ More significant, however, was how those traits were made to work on behalf of his conservative agenda. By the end of his second term, despite widespread concern over budget deficits and several administration scandals, Reagan's presidency had wrought many significant changes. Under his leadership, the nation had undergone major tax reforms, witnessed
a significant easing of relations with the Communist world, and experienced a sharp upturn in prosperity. Reagan left office enjoying a popularity that only a few of his outgoing predecessors had ever experienced.
This portrait is based on some thirty studies that artist Henry Casselli made of Reagan over four days at the White House in late 1988. Commissioned with the National Portrait Gallery in mind, the finished picture arrived at the White House the following January for presidential inspection. When Reagan saw it he exclaimed, ‘Yep! That's the old buckaroo.’” — National Portrait Gallery
Photographed By Christopher Light, November 16, 2000
4. Statue of President Reagan
Tablet on statue reads:
Ronald Wilson Reagan
Erected in 1988
as a tribute to President Reagan.
Illinois is famous for it's production
of agricultural products; so it seems
appropriate for him to be admiring the kernels of corn in his hand.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2014
5. South Hennepin Avenue / Reagan Way
View north from 9th Street. Reagan's boyhood home is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,742 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on October 24, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 3. submitted on September 22, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 5. submitted on October 24, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.