Birthplace of Ronald Reagan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Birthplace of Ronald Reagan
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Ronald Reagan's birthplace (center).
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 111 - 113 S Main St Tampico, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | Fred Harvey Seymour (builder) |
| Part of | Tampico Main Street Historic District (ID82002602) |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1982 |
The Birthplace of Ronald Reagan is a special apartment located on the second floor of an old building in Tampico, Illinois. This building was constructed in 1896. It became famous because Ronald Reagan, who later became the 40th President of the United States, was born there on February 6, 1911.
The building is made of brick and looks similar to other old buildings on Main Street in Tampico. These buildings are part of a historic district, which means they are recognized as important historical places. This district was added to a special list called the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
Ronald Reagan's Birthplace: A Special Building
This building, also known as the Graham Building, holds a significant place in American history. It's where a future president began his life.
Where a President Was Born
The building was built in 1896 by Fred Harvey Seymour. For many years, the first floor had different businesses, while the second floor was used as an apartment. It was in this apartment that Ronald Reagan was born. His family lived there for a few months after his birth before moving to another house in Tampico.
A Look Back at History
The story of the Reagan family in Tampico is an interesting part of the building's history.
The Reagan Family's Early Days
Jack and Nelle Reagan, Ronald's parents, moved into the apartment above a business on October 1, 1906. They had two sons while living there. Their first son, Neil Reagan, was born in 1908. Then, on February 6, 1911, their second son, Ronald Reagan, was born in the same apartment.
The Reagans lived at this address from 1906 until May 5, 1911. After that, they moved to a house on Glassburn Street, also in Tampico. While they lived in Tampico, Jack Reagan worked at the H.C. Pitney Variety Store, which was just across the street.
What Happened After
The Reagan family stayed in Tampico until Pitney's store closed in 1914. They then moved to other towns like Chicago, Galesburg, and Monmouth. When Pitney's store reopened in 1919, the Reagans returned to Tampico for a short time, living in an apartment above the store.
After Pitney's store closed again, the Reagans moved to Dixon, Illinois, on December 6, 1920. The house they lived in there later became known as the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home.
Over the years, the birthplace building housed different businesses. From 1915 to 1919, it was a bakery. Then, from 1919 to 1931, it was home to the First National Bank. The building was bought by Paul Nicely and his wife in 1968. Later, in 2003, it was purchased by WPW Partners of Chicago.
What the Building Looks Like
The building where Ronald Reagan was born looks much like other commercial buildings on Tampico's Main Street. It is made of brick and has two stories. You can see three windows on the second floor and a decorative top edge called a cornice. Only the very oldest buildings in the area have different styles of cornices or windows.
Why This Place is Important Today
The building is most famous because it is the exact spot where Ronald Reagan was born. Today, the first floor has been restored to look like the First National Bank, which was there from 1919 to 1931. The second-floor apartment has also been restored to show how it looked when Reagan was born.
Visitors can take tours of the site to learn more about its history. The building is considered a "significant" part of the Tampico Main Street Historic District. This historic district was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1982, recognizing its importance.
See also
