Ottawa

GPS Coordinates: N 41.35002; W 88.84153

Site Access: Free; Fee Handicap Accessible Parking

Amenities: Information; Restrooms; Hiking; Biking; Canoeing; Boating; Fishing; Camping; Overnight Accomodations; Picnic; Visitors Center

Directions: From I 80 at Ottawa, take Exit 90/SR (State Route) 23 and go south, following SR 23/Columbus St./LaSalle St. for approximately 2.0 miles to the intersection of Lafayette St. Turn east (left) onto Lafayette St. and go 1 block (0.1 miles) to the Ottawa Visitors Center located in the Reddick Mansion on the left.

Description: Constructed in 1858 by former LaSalle County Sheriff and Illinois State Senator William Reddick for $25,000, Reddick Mansion is the oldest surviving building in Ottawa's historic Washington Square. Today, Reddick Mansion is open for tours, and houses the Ottawa Visitors Center, a stop which all LaSalle County visitors are encouraged to make. There, the staff will assist visitors with information on all of Ottawa's other historic sites, including:

Washington Square - This is the location where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas convened in 1858 for the fi rst of seven senatorial debates. It is estimated that 20,000 people attended that debate! A Civil War memorial, replete with cannons from that war, was dedicated in 1873 to commemorate LaSalle County's 1,200 Civil War casualties.

Ottawa Scouting Museum - Dedicated to millionaire newspaper publisher W. D. Boyce, who while traveling became lost in the London fog in 1909 and was aided by a British Boy Scout. Boyce was so taken with the scout's helpfulness, that he founded the Boy Scouts of America immediately after returning to his home in Ottawa. Besides exhibiting historical Boy Scouts of America articles, the museum also houses memorabilia from the Girl Scouts and Camp Fire U.S.A. The W.D. Boyce Gravesite is located in a cemetery overlooking the Illinois River on the western edge of Ottawa.

Ottawa's Mural Program - Founded in 2000 by the Ottawa Visitors Center,
this public art program erects large murals by world class artists on exterior walls of the older (Victorian) commercial buildings in Ottawa's Historic Downtown. Among other things, the program's mission is to foster art appreciation and preserve the history of the town.

Ottawa's River Walk - This 3.5-mile paved walk along the Fox River, just
upstream of its confl uence with the Illinois River, traverses Fox River Park.
Immediately north of the park lies the historic Fox River Aqueduct. This
464-foot bridge-like structure was constructed in the 1840s out of Joliet
limestone for the purpose of conducting the waters of the I&M Canal over the Fox River.

Located at the southern foot of the Illinois River Bridge in Ottawa, Allen Park offers some of the best local views of the Illinois River and possesses picnic shelters, a boat launch, a playground, restrooms, benches, an extensive walking trail through natural areas, and a wonderful collection of outdoor
sculpture. More active/adventurous visitors should consider canoe rentals
for excursions into the Fox and Illinois Rivers. Contact the Ottawa Visitors Center for more information.

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