Untitled Document
In 1833, an early pioneer by the name of John Phelps discovered an awe-inspiring forested and river-fed valley. He was so impressed that he decided to build a cabin and settle this land where the Potawatomi and Winnebago Indian tribes had lived and roamed for generations. He named the new settlement Oregon, which literally means, "River of the West."
Shortly thereafter, other pioneers with specialized talents began settling in the community and the town grew to include a blacksmith shop, a grocery store, a post office, a church, and a school.
By 1836, Oregon was not only a thriving little village, but was chosen by the General Assembly as the county seat of Ogle County. Today the seat of county government is anchored in the historic, red brick courthouse, which was built in 1892 and is listed as an Illinois Historic Site.
Surrounded by history, many significant events took place only a few short miles from the town. To the northeast is Stillman Valley. Now a delightful and peaceful little community, but in 1832 this was the site of the first Blackhawk Wars. Five miles south lies the quaint and charming village of Grand Detour. Here in 1837, John Deere revolutionized American agriculture by inventing the self-polishing steel plow. The home John Deere built in Grand Detour still stands, as does a replica of the blacksmith shop he established. In addition, the site of the archeological dig that unearthed Deere's original shop has been preserved. The John Deere Historic Site is a popular tourist attraction.
Another important historical site is now the Lorado Taft Field Campus of Northern Illinois University, an environmental education and conference center. It was at this location that noted sculptor Lorado Taft formed the Eagles' Nest Artist Colony in 1898. This strong heritage of preserving and fostering arts continues as an important aspect of life in Oregon. The tradition is carried on today through Concerts in the Park, The Fields Project, The Performing Arts Guild, and The Arts Alliance.
Government
Because Oregon is the county seat of Ogle County, many auxiliary groups who are government service providers have located in Oregon. These include legal firms, title companies, banks and investment firms, real estate agents and human service organizations. The county seat is anchored in a beautiful century old courthouse, which is listed on the National Historic Register. The "old" courthouse will soon be joined by a new judicial center immediately west of the existing courthouse.
Geography
In some towns, you have to drive for hours to take a peaceful walk in the woods or experience the serenity of an afternoon lolling on a riverbank, but in Oregon, Illinois, you are only minutes away from picturesque landscapes, verdant forests, rocky cliffs, and the meandering Rock River.
Terrain
The Rock River begins in southern Wisconsin and flows south through Rockford, meandering west through Oregon, passing by Grand Detour and ending in the Quad Cities area where it empties into the Mississippi River. The Rock River boasts some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state.
Along its banks lies some of Oregon's popular natural attractions and recreation areas including Lowden State Park, filled with deep, dark forests, and Lowden-Miller State Forest, 2,225 acres offering hiking, backpacking, birding, hunting and cross-country skiing, and Castle Rock State Park, with trails to the "top of the rocks." Castle Rock, named for its large outcropping of sandstone, is one of the few places in Illinois where the sandstone is exposed at the surface. A diversity of natural environments is found here including ravines, upland and floodplain forests, prairie, streams, and sandstone outcrops.
Flora and Fauna
Many native plants exist throughout the state parks and preserves in the Oregon area. Naturalist's visiting Castle Rock will find in the deep ravines native plants such as white pine, bunchberry, hairy woodrush, round-leaved shinleaf, and wild sasparilla. Other opportunities to enjoy the local flora and fauna will be found in the Byron Forest Preserve and Nachusa Grasslands.
The Byron Forest Preserve, which houses the Jarrett Prairie Center, was formed in 1981 to preserve a small prairie remnant and to reestablish the plant and wildlife that once flourished at the site. The preserve has grown to include more than 700 acres at four sites: a nature center with a natural history museum, an observatory, and an 18-hole golf course. The main site includes 450 acres of prairie, savanna, and woods, and is scenically situated on the rolling hills overlooking the Rock River. There are more than six miles of hiking trails winding through the prairie, oak savannas, and maple woods, offering a gorgeous view during any season. The quarter-mile Round About Trail, just outside the Jarrett Prairie Center, is paved for the physically challenged. Signs identify the native wildflowers and grasses, which line this trail. Cross-country skiers can make use of the trails during the winter.
In nearby Franklin Grove, you can visit Nachusa Grasslands, a rolling landscape offering a mosaic of prairie grasses, bur oak and sand savanna, sedge meadows, and streamside marshes. Visitors can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and other activities that do not harm the natural landscape. Though the grasslands bloom from April through October, the ruddy color of little bluestem grass in winter makes Nachusa's rolling landscape beautiful year round.
Wildlife
The state forests and preserves are home to numerous types of wildlife and some endangered species. Just a few of the many birds include: Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Harrier (endangered), Red-tailed Hawks, Eastern Wild Turkeys, Henslow's Sparrow and an occasional Eagle may be sighted. The woods are home to Whitetail deer, ground squirrels, coyotes, and numerous other forms of wildlife. In the fall, guests to the Byron Forest Preserve will be delighted to view migratory butterflies such as the Monarch and Painted Lady.
Learn more about this city
City of OREGON, IL official site
County of OGLE, IL official site