When the national struggle over slavery became a wild fire across the Prairie State, Freeport was one of the cities selected for a debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln as they sought a seat in the United States Senate. Today, Freeport maintains Debate Square, a public space which commemorates that clash of titans in 1858.
While in Freeport and Stephenson County, there are other depictions of Lincoln worth your time. Taylor Park features "Lincoln the Debate," a heroic-sized bronze statue; Freeport Public Library houses "Lincoln Reading," a sculpture which depicts Lincoln reading to his son; and the Black Hawk Monument near Kent, has the newly installed sculpture, "Captain Lincoln," which depicts a young Lincoln who served in the Black Hawk Conflict.
For more information:
Greater Freeport Partnership
27 W. Stephenson Street
Freeport, IL 61032
815-233-1350
https://greaterfreeport.com/
Location
Legend
8th Judicial Circuit
Courthouse
Friends of Lincoln
Good for Kids
Guided/Self-Guided Tours
Historic House
Historic Site
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Museum
Passport Site
Recreational
Route 66
Top Destination
Underground Railroad
Visitor Information
Wayside Exhibit
Nearby Sites
Stephenson County Visitor Center
4596 US-20 Freeport, Illinois 61032
Our mission is to provide the best hospitality service to visitors and residents and help them find the destination they are seeking in Stephenson County and beyond.
Freeport Public Library
100 E. Douglas Street Freeport, IL 61032 Freeport, Illinois 61032
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lincoln Douglas Debate Square
114 E. Douglas St. Freeport, Illinois 61032
On August 27, 1858, the most significant of the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in Freeport, IL and gave the nation direction in succeeding years due to the famous Freeport Doctrine. While Stephen Douglas kept his seat in the Senate after the debates, his reply that each state should be perfectly free to do as it pleased in regards to slavery, no matter the ruling of the Supreme Court, stirred a sentiment of betrayal among constituents that would come back to haunt him in his bid for President in the election of 1860. Abraham Lincoln’s point that “a house divided could not stand,” his belief that Americans of every race were entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and his stance against Douglas’ advocacy for popular sovereignty were what ultimately led to his election later on.
Visit the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square in historic downtown Freeport, next to the Union Dairy, to see the first statue ever erected to include both Lincoln and Douglas in commemoration of the debates that influenced US history. This landmark is one of two points of interest for Lincoln history in Stephenson County.
Lincoln and the Black Hawk War
13953 W. Blackhawk Rd Kent, Illinois 61062
The second of two Lincoln points of interest in Stephenson County is the Blackhawk Monument that honors those killed in the Black Hawk War, including the final Illinois battle of 1832 in what is now known as Kent. After serving as captain of the Illinois militia, Abraham Lincoln returned to help bury five of the slain men
Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois. Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story. Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with. There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
The Debates and the Media
114 E. Douglas St. Freeport, Illinois 61032
Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits tell the stories of Lincoln’s life and times in Illinois. Each wayside exhibit tells a unique Lincoln story and a local story. Many of the waysides share little known stories about Lincoln and the individuals he interacted with. There are over 260 Looking for Lincoln waysides in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
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