Dixon, Illinois
Dixon is a city in Lee County, Illinois, United States. It is the county seat of Lee County. The population was 15,733 at the 2020 census. Dixon is located on the Rock River, and it is known for being the boyhood home of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Dixon is also notable for the 1992 Dixon Ticonderoga scandal, where the city’s comptroller, Rita Crundwell, embezzled nearly $54 million from city funds over the course of two decades. It remains one of the largest municipal frauds in U.S. history.
History
Dixon was founded in 1830 by John Dixon, who operated a ferry service along the Rock River and later built a log cabin that served as a stop for travelers moving westward. The city grew as an agricultural and trading center in the mid-19th century and later developed into an industrial town.
Dixon was also home to the Illinois Central Railroad in the 1850s, which contributed to its growth. The city played an important role in the Black Hawk War of 1832, where a camp was established for U.S. forces, including a young Abraham Lincoln, who served as a militia captain.
Landmarks
One of the city's most notable landmarks is the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home attracts visitors each year and celebrates the legacy of the 40th President of the United States. Ronald Reagan lived in Dixon, Illinois, from 1920 to 1933, during much of his childhood and teenage years. His family moved to Dixon when Reagan was nine years old, and he lived there until he left for college at Eureka College in 1933.
Another important landmark is the Dixon Arch, a historic landmark over the Rock River that was built in 1929. The arch is a symbol of the city and serves as an entrance to the downtown area.
Notable People
- Ronald Reagan – 40th President of the United States, raised in Dixon.
- Rita Crundwell – Former Dixon comptroller who embezzled $54 million from the city.
- James K. Polk – 11th U.S. President, briefly worked as a surveyor in the Dixon area.