Ronald Reagan Trail facts for kids
The Ronald Reagan Trail is a special route in central Illinois. It connects towns and cities important to Ronald Reagan, who was a former U.S. President. The trail was created in 1999. This was five years before President Reagan passed away in 2004. The idea for the trail came from Joe Serangeli, who was the mayor of Eureka, Illinois. For many years, volunteers helped promote the trail. Later, in 2016, the Ronald W. Reagan Society of Eureka College took over its care.
Contents
Exploring the Ronald Reagan Trail: A Journey Through History
The Ronald Reagan Trail is shaped like a triangle. It helps visitors explore places that were part of Reagan's life.
From Monmouth to Eureka: Reagan's Early Years
This part of the trail follows U.S. Route 34 and Interstate 74. It goes from Monmouth, Illinois to Galesburg, Illinois, then to Peoria, Illinois, and finally to Eureka, Illinois using U.S. Route 24.
Monmouth: A Childhood Home
- Monmouth — Ronald Reagan lived here from 1918 to 1919. You can find a special exhibit about him in the city.
Galesburg: First Grade Memories
- Galesburg — Reagan attended first grade in this city. He also lived in Galesburg for a time.
Washington: College Stopover
- Washington — This was a common stop for Reagan when he traveled to and from Eureka College.
Eureka: College Days
- Eureka — Reagan went to college at Eureka College, which is located right in this town.
From Peoria to Tampico and Dixon: Birthplace and Boyhood
This eastern part of the trail starts in Peoria on U.S. Route 24. It follows Illinois Route 29 north to Bureau Junction, Illinois. Then it takes Illinois Route 26 to Ohio, Illinois. From Ohio, it branches off to Tampico, Illinois on Illinois Route 92 and Dixon, Illinois on Illinois 26.
Peoria Heights: Nearby Sights
- Peoria Heights — This town has two visitor sites. They are not directly related to Ronald Reagan.
Chillicothe: A Friend's Home
- Chillicothe — This was the home of George Taylor, one of Reagan's close friends.
Henry: Trail Headquarters
- Henry — This town is home to the national headquarters and Visitor Center for the trail.
Princeton: History and Antiques
- Princeton — This is a great place for finding antiques. It was also a frequent stop on the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
Ohio: Another College Stop
- Ohio — Reagan often stopped here when he was traveling to and from college.
Tampico: Reagan's Birthplace
- Tampico — This is the birthplace of Ronald Reagan. You can also visit the Tampico Main Street Historic District and the H.C. Pitney Variety Store.
Dixon: Boyhood Home and More
- Dixon — This was the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan after he turned nine years old. In Dixon, you can visit the Dixon Historic Center, the First Christian Church, Lowell Park, and the Wings of Peace and Freedom Park.
Connecting Princeton to Galesburg: Completing the Loop
- U.S. Route 34 simply connects Galesburg to Princeton. This completes the triangle shape of the trail.
