Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hegeler Carus Mansion is a source of pride to the Illinois Valley. Located at 1307 Seventh Street in LaSalle, this architectural masterpiece, built from 1874-1876, is a key to the history of the Illinois Valley, the Midwest, and the nation. Tour director Edna Olsen explains, “Visitors of all ages will experience a step back in time and see the grandeur of the Victorian era.” The home remained a private residence until 1995 when the Hegeler Foundation was formed to protect and preserve the home. The mansion is an example of high artistic achievement in architecture and interior design, yet also highlights accomplishments in industry, philosophy, publishing, and religion. One hour tours are available Wednesday thru Sunday at noon, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for students. Special group rates are available. More information is available at www.hegelercarus.org.

The Reddick Mansion, a wonderfully unique landmark, stands proudly on the corners of Columbus and Lafayette streets in Ottawa. This twenty two room Italianate mansion has drawn attention for many years as a private residence, a public library and currently a public office building. Built in 1858 by William Reddick it remained the family home for thirty years. William Reddick was a respected businessman and politician, but also a philanthropist. With education being of utmost importance to him, he was instrumental in laying the foundation for the University of Illinois and the organization of free public schools in Ottawa. In accordance with the wishes of Mr. Reddick, upon his death the home became the property of the City of Ottawa to be used as a library. The library served Ottawa for over 85 years until it moved to newer facilities. In 1974, the Reddick Mansion Association was chartered as a non-profit corporation in charge of ensuring the restoration, maintenance and operation of the property. This site, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, remains open to the public. Visitors may tour the mansion daily. The Ottawa Visitor Center is located in the carriage house on the grounds. Further information can be found by calling 815-434-2737 or www.experienceottawa.com.

Streator is home to the charming country Tudor, the Weber House. Located at 1503 Baker Street, owner Ted Weber welcomes visitors to experience themed rooms and extensive gardens. The home was built in 1938 by his parents, Ernest and Zelma Weber. Ted Weber became a radio interviewer for a Chicago station and had his own syndicated show. During his career he interviewed many celebrities and was able to travel extensively. His travels furthered his appreciation of architecture and art. Realizing the importance of preserving his family home, Ted Weber moved back to Streator in 1983 and has made it his passion. Originally, the home had an ordinary yard and much of the property was not used. Today, due to Weber’s dedication, the Weber House has uniquely decorated rooms which are appropriately named for celebrities he once interviewed. Each room reflects a different period design, with one room displaying a collection of Wedgewood china given to Mr. Weber by Lord Wedgewood. The home now has a beautifully manicured English garden segmented into rooms. The original 1943 playhouse of the Weber children is still on the grounds laden with classic toys. Mr. Weber, feeling the need to promote tourism in Streator, opened his home to the public. However, he stated “I did this for myself because I always enjoyed architecture and admired many things I saw as I traveled through Europe.” Open daily from 10-5, tours can be arranged by calling 815-672-8327. Call ahead if the weather is questionable. Admission is $8. More information is available at www.weberhouseandgarden.com or www.streator.org.

Hegler Carus Mansion

Reddick Mansion

Tours

Hegeler Carus Mansion (view ad)
1307 7th Street • LaSalle
(815) 224-6543
www.hegelercarus.org
One hour tours of this Victorian masterpiece listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tours are Wednesday-Sunday at
noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Ottawa Fun Bus Day Trips
Sponsored by River Adventures, Inc./River City Transportation
(815) 434-2142
www.ottawafunbus.com
These guided tours are offered year round. Tours are open to the general public.

Ottawa Mural Walking Tour
100 W. Lafayette Street • Ottawa
(815) 434-2737
Cell phone tour: (866) MURALS-1
www.experienceottawa.com
View our vivid outdoor murals that bring our wonderful history to life! View 6 murals located throughout downtown Ottawa. Tours begin from Reddick Mansion.

Reddick Mansion (view ad)
100 W. Lafayette Street • Ottawa
(815) 434-2737
Tours 7 days a week: M-F 9-5, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-2. Built before the Civil War, this ornate 22-room 50-ft. tall Italianate mansion was constructed by leading philanthropist and state senator William Reddick.

Spirit of Peoria Tours (view ad)
100 NE Water Street • Peoria
(800) 676-8988
www.spiritofpeoria.com
Historic riverboat cruises to/from Starved Rock aboard our authentic paddle wheeler, featuring old-fashioned entertainment. All inclusive.

Starved Rock Trolley
Departing from Starved Rock Lodge • Utica
(815) 667-4211 ext. 386 trolley tours and booking (800) 868-7625 ext. 386 guided hikes
www.starvedrocklodge.com
“Hop” on board one of the areas most unique modes of transportation for individuals or groups that want something different and memorable. Take a ride on Rocky or Rita to learn about the history of this scenic area. Fully heated or air conditioned depending on the season, you are sure to have good conversation and camaraderie.

Weber House and Garden
1503 Baker Street • Streator
(815) 672-8327
weberhouseandgarden.com
Unique home tour revisits Hollywood’s heyday in themed rooms and extensive gardens. Open daily 10-5. Reservations recommended. Call ahead if the weather is questionable.
Admission $8

Museums

Breaking the Prairie
Farm Museum
648 8th Street • Mendota
(815) 539-3373
www.mendotamuseums.org
Depicting agriculture in the early years of Mendota, this museum honors the farm families, their machinery and their livestock. Also included are the Mathesius Brothers Barn and Country Chapel.

Hume-Carnegie Museum (view ad)
901 Washington Street • Mendota
(815) 539-3373
www.mendotamuseums.org
Three museums are dedicated to preserving the history of the Mendota area. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am - 11am; Saturday & Sunday 1pm - 4pm.

LaSalle County Genealogy Guild
115 West Glover Street • Ottawa
(815) 433-5261
The guild has a membership of 1,000 worldwide. People come from all parts of the globe to study their genealogy in the guild’s library.

LaSalle County Historical Society Museum and Complex
Mill and Canal Streets • Utica, IL
(815) 667-4861
www.lasallecountymuseum.org
Summer Hours: W-F 10-4
Winter Hours F-S-S 12-4
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007, the LaSalle County Historical Society collects and preserves artifacts pertaining to the rich and varied history of LaSalle County. The museum is housed in a remodeled stone warehouse built in 1848 to serve the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Aitken School: An 1865 one-room schoolhouse is furnished with authentic fixtures and accessories that duplicate the rural schools of almost 150 years ago. Kidd Blacksmith Shop: The blacksmith shop has never been anything else — home to six blacksmith operations since its birth in 1892 in downtown Utica. Features working forge and blacksmithing demonstrations. 1875 Barn: The barn highlights the county’s agricultural heart with exhibits of vehicles and tools spotlighting agrarian life on the Illinois prairie. Don’t miss the veterinary exhibit.

Norsk Scandinavian Museum
Rt. 71 • Norway
(815) 496-9208 or (815) 434-7478
From June through September, the Norsk Museum in Norway, IL, will be open Saturdays and Sundays 1-5pm. The two-building museum is dedicated to the Scandinavian settlers who founded the Norway area in the 1800s. Contains articles of Scandinavian life, such as dishes, clothing, furniture and spinning wheels. Sponsored by the Sons of Norway. Suggested $1 donation admission.

Ottawa Scouting Museum
1100 Canal Street • Ottawa
(815) 431-9353
www.ottawascoutingmuseum.org
Promoting and preserving the traditions of scouting, this museum features many scouting items as well as three year-round outdoor
hiking trails.

Starved Rock State Park (view ad)
Visitors Center
Rt. 178 & 71 • Utica
(815) 667-4726
www.starvedrockstatepark.org
Visit the state-of-the-art Visitors Center to learn about trails, wildlife, vegetation and history of Starved Rock State Park. You will find interactive displays, fish from the Illinois River, historical artifacts, a wigwam, informational movie and much more.

Streatorland Historical
Society Museum
306 Vermilion Street • Streator
Nineteenth century clothing, a music room, local products and photographs depict the history of Streator and Streatorland natives.

Union Dept. Railroad Museum
783 Main Street • Mendota
(815) 538-3800
www.mendotamuseums.org
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Displays at the Union Depot Railroad Museum include railroad memorabilia, a large model railroad depicting 1940’s railroading in Mendota. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday 12-5.

Landmarks & Historical Sites

Wild Bill Hickok State Memorial
Main Street • Troy Grove
This memorial marks the birthplace of the legendary frontier scout and US Marshal “Wild Bill” Hickok.

M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator
& Visitors Center
124 W. Williams • Seneca
(815) 357-6197
Erected in 1861, this 65-foot tall, 70,000-bushel capacity elevator is one of the oldest remaining grain elevators.

Illinois LST Memorial
(Landing Ship Tank)
Crotty Park • Seneca
This granite memorial honors those men and women who built and sailed LSTs during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The last of the 157 LSTs was launched from Seneca’s shipyard on June 8, 1945. Dedicated in 2005.

Father Marquette Memorial
St. Mary’s Church
303 Division Street • Utica
www.lasallecountymuseum.org
This memorial is dedicated to Father Marquette who observed the first Catholic Mass in the Illinois Territory in 1675.

Memorial Park
Corner of Jordan & Woodland Oglesby • (815) 883-8616
Memorials include WWI, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam. The park also has a WWI restored cannon, a Vietnam era helicopter, a statue of a sailor and a General Pulaski monument.

Middle Eastern Conflict
Wall Memorial
Riverside Plaza • Marseilles
This beautiful granite wall honors fallen men and women who have served during Middle Eastern conflicts. Names are etched in the stone. This memorial was established in 2004 by the Illinois Freedom Run organization.

Shabbona County Park
East 16th Road • North of Harding
(815) 792-8801
Rachel and Sylvia Hall had a tale to tell their grandchildren! It began with how their family was slaughtered and scalped by Indians in May 1832, and ended with how the teen sisters were released from captivity by the Indians a week later. The Indian Creek Massacre claimed the lives of 16 men, women and children. Rachel and her husband eventually moved back to what is now Shabbona Park, where they erected a monument over the graves of the slain families. Shabbona was the Potawatomi chief whose warning the Indian Creek settlers ignored. He is buried near Morris. The Indian Creek raid drove settlers to Fort Johnston on Ottawa’s south bluff, where they met a fellow from New Salem named Abraham Lincoln, who arrived in late May to join the militia to fight in the Black Hawk War.

Streator Public Library
130 South Park St. • Streator
(815) 672-2729

Washington Square Park
(Lincoln Douglas Debate Site)
Downtown Ottawa • (815)­ 434-2737
Memorial commemorates the location of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate on August 21, 1858, with heroic sized bronze statues complete with a reflecting pond outlined in limestone and fountain.

World War II Canteen Monument
Santa Fe Burlington Northern Depot, North Illinois Street • Streator
This monument honors the hundreds of volunteers who met 1.5 million World War II soldiers and sailors on troop trains at the Santa Fe station, serving them coffee and sandwiches as their trains passed through. Often, it was the first snack and friendly face the troops had seen since their train ride began. The canteen opened less than two years after America’s involvement in the war began, often serving thousands in a day and drawing volunteers from throughout Central Illinois.