Ottawa, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ottawa, Illinois
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Downtown Ottawa in May 2008
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| Nicknames:
Radium City, The Friendly City, The Town of Two Rivers, The City On Sand, The Town of Stovepipe hats
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Location of Ottawa in LaSalle County, Illinois.
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 Ottawa, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Ottawa, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Illinois | ||
| County | LaSalle | ||
| Townships | Ottawa, South Ottawa, Dayton, Rutland, Wallace | ||
| Incorporated | 1853 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 15.52 sq mi (40.19 km2) | ||
| • Land | 14.66 sq mi (37.96 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.86 sq mi (2.22 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 472 ft (144 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,840 | ||
| • Density | 1,281.98/sq mi (494.98/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
61350
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| Area codes | 815, 779 | ||
| FIPS code | 17-56926 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2396106 | ||
| Wikimedia Commons | Ottawa, Illinois | ||
Ottawa is a city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located. Ottawa sits where the Fox River meets the Illinois River. The Illinois River is important for moving goods by boat. It connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. In 2022, about 18,668 people lived in Ottawa.
Contents
History of Ottawa
Ottawa has always been an important spot on the Illinois River. It was a place where people could carry their canoes and goods between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan. This made it a key travel route.
Famous Debates and Freedom Fighters
Ottawa was the location of the first Lincoln–Douglas debates on August 21, 1858. These were important discussions between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. They talked about big issues like slavery.
The John Hossack House in Ottawa was a "station" on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. Many people in Ottawa actively worked to end slavery. In 1859, some local leaders even helped a runaway slave named Jim Gray escape from a courthouse. These leaders later faced legal trouble for their actions.
The Illinois and Michigan Canal
Ottawa also played a role in building the Illinois and Michigan Canal. This canal helped connect waterways for trade. A local leader named William Reddick became sheriff during the canal's construction. He was known for being brave and strong. Later, as a state senator, Reddick built a large, beautiful house called the Reddick Mansion. It is one of the oldest homes in Illinois from before the American Civil War. Today, it is a historic landmark.
Birthplace of Scouting
In 1910, William D. Boyce, who lived in Ottawa, started the Boy Scouts of America. Five years later, he also created the Lone Scouts of America. You can learn more about this history at the Ottawa Scouting Museum. It opened in 1997 and shows the history of Boy Scouting, Girl Scouting, and Camp Fire.
The Radium Girls Story
In 1922, the Radium Dial Company moved to Ottawa. This company hired many women, some as young as 11, to paint watch dials. They used a special paint that glowed in the dark. This paint contained a dangerous element called radium. The women were told to lick their paintbrushes to make them sharp. This caused them to accidentally take in radium.
Over time, many of these "Radium Girls" became very sick. They suffered from problems like weak bones and jaw issues. The company closed in 1936. A documentary film called Radium City (made in 1986) tells their story. It shows how the women fought for justice and how the radium contamination affected the city. Even today, some areas in Ottawa still have higher levels of radiation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working to clean up these areas since 1986.
Geography and Climate
Ottawa covers about 15.5 square miles. Most of this area is land, but about 0.86 square miles is water. The city is located where the Fox River meets the Illinois River.
Weather in Ottawa
Ottawa experiences a wide range of weather throughout the year. Summers are generally warm, with average high temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, with average high temperatures in the 30s Fahrenheit. The city gets a good amount of rain throughout the year, with more rainfall in the spring and summer months. Snowfall is common in winter.
Industry in Ottawa
Ottawa is known for its many silica sand deposits. This special "Ottawa sand" has been used for over 100 years in making glass and other products. It was even on the Space Shuttle Columbia for experiments! The Illinois River and the Illinois Railway help transport this sand.
One of the biggest employers in Ottawa is Pilkington Glass works. They make special types of glass. Another major company, Sabic, operates a large plastics factory in the city. Ottawa sand is also used in geotechnical engineering for testing and research.
Population and People
As of the 2020 census, Ottawa had 18,840 people living in the city. There were 7,764 households. About 24.1% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age in Ottawa was 39.5 years.
The median income for a household in Ottawa was about $53,544. This means that half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less.
Things to Do in Ottawa
Ottawa has many historic homes and landmarks to explore. You can visit the Reddick Mansion or see the artistic murals downtown. Ottawa is also known as the gateway to Starved Rock State Park. This is the most popular state park in Illinois, with millions of visitors each year.
The Fox River flows through Ottawa and into the Illinois River. If you're looking for adventure, Ottawa is home to Skydive Chicago, one of the largest skydiving centers in the country.
You can also visit the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum. It celebrates the life of William D. Boyce, who founded the Boy Scouts of America in Ottawa.
The Zeller Inn, originally called the Court Place Tavern, is a very old and historic tavern in Ottawa. It was founded in 1871 and still has many of its original features, like a mahogany bar and stained glass.
Media in Ottawa
Ottawa has local news and radio stations. The Times is an online newspaper that serves the area. The city also has three local radio stations: WCMY-AM at 1430, WRWO-LP at 94.5, and WRKX-FM at 95.3.
Images for kids
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Location of Ottawa in LaSalle County, Illinois.
See also
In Spanish: Ottawa (Illinois) para niños
