Freeport, Illinois

Freeport is a city located in Stephenson County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,443. It is the county seat of Stephenson County{{GR|6}}.

Short History of Freeport

Originally called Winneshiek, the community took its name from the fact of Tutty Baker and his renowned generosity of a "Free Port" on the river Pecatonica when it incorporated. The name 'Winneshiek' was later adopted, and is preserved to this day, by the Freeport Community Theatre Group.

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In 1837, Stephenson County was formed and in 1838, Freeport became its seat of government. Linked by a stagecoach with Chicago, the community grew rapidly. In 1840, a frame courthouse was erected and the first school was founded. Within two years, Freeport had two newspapers and in 1853, the two were joined by a third which published in German. By then, the community had a population of 2,000.

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On August 27, 1858, the most significant of the historic Abraham Lincoln vs. Stephen A. Douglas debates took place in Freeport and gave the nation direction in the following years. Although Stephen Douglas won the election and retained his senate seat, his reply to a question on slavery alienated the South, which called it the "Freeport Heresy," and split the Democratic Party. This enabled Abraham Lincoln to win the Presidency in 1860.

Related Topics:
Abraham Lincoln - Democratic Party

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A monument to the debate was dedicated in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt and stands at this site. A life size statue recreating the event was dedicated in 1992. Another renowned statue, "Lincoln the Debator." by Leonard Crunelle, is a focal point in the city's Taylor Park. Each year there is also a reenactment of the debate, which has been shown on CSPAN television.

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Freeport is know as "Pretzel City" which gave the High School the mascot of a Pretzel. The Freeport Pretzels, named for a Pretzel factory which once operated here. In 1858, during the migration of the Pennsylvania Germans they decided to locate in Freeport and vicinity. Making of pretzels and brewing of beer then was introduced in Freeport. A pretzel factory was erected, and as a result Freeport became known as the "Pretzel City". At one point a certain baseball coach was pettitioning to change the name to the Pioneers. This never happened, and the Pretzel mascot lived on.

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