Eureka! Along The Ronald Reagan Trail
Growing up in Illinois, one hears all about Lincoln. Almost every town has a big old house or two, that local lore claims (with or without proof) that "Lincoln slept here."
In North Central Illinois, we also have Ronald Reagan. I have been visiting both Lincoln and Reagan sites this summer. Earlier this year I attended the opening ceremony of a the Lincoln-Manahan House in Sterling, IL which is along the Lincoln Highway.
This summer while driving the roads less traveled, I found myself on the Ronald Reagan Trail-a collection of highways in central Illinois that connect villages and cities that were of importance to former U. S. President Ronald Reagan. The Ronald Reagan Trail is a self-guided driving tour that celebrates the small town values and heritage of our 40th President. It was officially designated by the Illinois General Assembly in 1999.
Eureka, IL
Ronald Reagan went to Eureka College, so it is fitting that they have a small museum dedicated to the president with humble a blue collar upbringing. All politics aside, it is pretty inspiring to see how midwestern values and ethics shaped Reagan as a world leader and to think that someone from a small town like many of us call home could rise to the Presidency.
The Ronald Reagan Exhibit located in the Cerf Center contains over 2000 items from Ronald’s college days, his movie career, his eight years as governor of California, his campaign for the presidency and his two terms in office. The items came to the college in 1975 at the request of President Reagan.
Also on the Eureka College campus is a Peace Garden.
The garden contains a bust of President Reagan and a portion of the Berlin Wall and commemorates Reagan's 1982 "Eureka Speech" where he announced for the first time his goal for a strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). This speech is considered the beginning of the end for the Cold War.
The town of Eureka is small, but quaint. They have a few festivals through out the year that are worth visiting.
In North Central Illinois, we also have Ronald Reagan. I have been visiting both Lincoln and Reagan sites this summer. Earlier this year I attended the opening ceremony of a the Lincoln-Manahan House in Sterling, IL which is along the Lincoln Highway.
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| Peace Garden at Eureka College |
Ronald Reagan went to Eureka College, so it is fitting that they have a small museum dedicated to the president with humble a blue collar upbringing. All politics aside, it is pretty inspiring to see how midwestern values and ethics shaped Reagan as a world leader and to think that someone from a small town like many of us call home could rise to the Presidency.
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| Section of the Berlin Wall in the Peace Garden |
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| Bust of Ronald Reagan with Berlin Wall in background. |
The garden contains a bust of President Reagan and a portion of the Berlin Wall and commemorates Reagan's 1982 "Eureka Speech" where he announced for the first time his goal for a strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). This speech is considered the beginning of the end for the Cold War.
The town of Eureka is small, but quaint. They have a few festivals through out the year that are worth visiting.
Kelly, now you're going 'round where I grew up, Woodford County. Got my first marriage license at the Woodford County Courthouse. At that time it was like walking into a Norman Rockwell painting. We even got a bundle of "goodies" from the county! There's nothing like small town Midwestern life.
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