Ottawa (Illinois)

Ottawa was the home of WD Boyce who founded scouting in America, ie The Boy Scouts of America, after learning firsthand about scouting in England while in preparation for an African expedition by a Scout who set him on his way when he was disoriented in the fog.

Has a monument regaling the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Italianate-style mansion commissioned by local politician William Reddick where the first of the Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in 1858.

Greek Revival home that was an important station on the Underground Railroad where something like 13 fugitive slaves were hidden by the owner, that ultimately led to him getting busted at one point for violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Private residence now.

Across the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park, it was a refuge for the Illinois Indians when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet arrived by boat in 1673. At this park you can hike along the river bluffs, rent bikes, and see a few bison, and it is adjacent to the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail.

A tiny island on the river, on which a 2001 Volvo is placed.