"Coersion, after all, merely captures man. Freedom captivates him."
   

Cities Along the Trail

Events Along the Trail

Welcome to Galesburg

Ronald Reagan moved to Galesburg with his family at the age of five. They lived in an apartment at 1260 N. Kellogg Street and later moved across the street to 1219 N Kellogg. He attended the Silas Willard Elementary School.

Nancy (Davis) Reagan’s stepfather, Dr. Loyal Davis, a well-known Chicago neurosurgeon, was born in Galesburg. Dr. Davis married Nancy’s mother in 1929 adopting Nancy who spent many vacations from school at her grandparent’s Walnut Avenue residence in Galesburg.

Galesburg is located on Interstate 74 in Northwest Illinois. It is a unique town in that it was a planned city whose purpose was fostering religious education. Knox College was the main reason for its existence.

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Sites to Visit

Where to Stay


Sites to Visit

Red Listing - Official Reagan Site

Carl Sandburg State Historic Site
331 E. 3rd St., Galesburg, IL - 309-342-2361
Author-poet Carl Sandburg was born here in a 3 room cottage on January 6, 1878. From these humble beginnings, Sandburg went on to achieve international acclaim for his poetry, children’s stories, and six volume biography of Abraham Lincoln. A visitor’s center and gift shop is located next to the birthplace.

Galesburg Historical Train Tour
BNSF Amtrak Depot, Galesburg, IL
Sunday,June 25, 2006 The Galesburg Historical Society will offer a Tram Tour on the early lives spent in Galesburg of former President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. Tom Wilson will be on board to conduct the tour sharing stories and giving the history of these two great people and their connection to Galesurg. The tours start at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will be approximately 45 mninutes in length. You can catch the tour at the BNSF Amtrak Depot.

Galesburg Railroad Museum
211 S. Seminary St., Galesburg, IL - 309-342-9400
Experience railroading of the early 1900’s. Extensive collection of railroad memorabilia on view for the public. Tours through restored passenger engine built in 1930 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, a fully–outfitted car used by the Railway Mail Service and Railway Express Agency, a Pullman parlor car, caboose and two 1950’s inspection cars outfitted with track maintenance tools.

Ronald Reagan Home and School
1219 N. Kellogg & 495 E. Fremont St., Galesburg, IL
A driving tour brochure of the Reagan homes, Silas Willard School where Ronald attended the first grade and the home where Nancy Reagan’s grandparents lived is available at the Galesburg Welcome Center, 2163 E. Main. Markers identify each home, there is a Ronald Reagan exhibit inside the Welcome Center.


Where to Stay

Best Western Prairie Inn, LLC
I-74 at E Main St, Galesburg, IL - 309-343-7151 or 866-343-7151
108 rooms; garden patios; indoor pool/whirlpool; Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast Pets under 25 lbs. allowed with deposit; award winning restaurant; piano bar.

Comfort Inn of Galesburg
907 W Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg, IL - 309-344-5445 or 800-228-5150
46 rooms; non-smoking and handicapped rooms available. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast Free local phone calls. Pets allowed in some rooms. Adjacent to mall.

Country Inn & Suites
2284 Promenade Court, Galesburg, IL - 309-344-4444 or 800-456-4000
61 rooms; non-smoking, handicapped & hearing accessible rooms available; indoor pool, hot tub, exercise room & game room; complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, free local phone calls; Adjacent to the mall.

Days Inn & Suites Hotel
3282 N Henderson St, Galesburg, IL - 309-344-1111
100 rooms; Jacuzzi suites available; smoking & non-smoking rooms; indoor heated pool/whirlpool; game arcade. Enjoy fine dining in the Pool Side Café or a cocktail in our Splash Down Lounge offering entertainment every weekend.

Econo Inn
1475 N Henderson St, Galesburg, IL - 309-344-2401
73 remodeled rooms with indoor heated pool. Suites and non-smoking rooms available. Free cable/HBO/Showtime with satellite TV, continental breakfast Pets allowed in limited rooms.

Fairfield Inn
901 W Carl Sandburg Drive, Galesburg, IL - 309-344-1911 or 800-228-2800
56 rooms; non-smoking rooms & handicap rooms available; indoor pool/whirlpool; video game room; complimentary continental breakfast. Adjacent to the mall.

Holiday Inn Express
2285 Washington St, Galesburg, IL - 309-343-7100 or 800-465-4329
73 rooms; non-smoking and handicapped accessible rooms available; indoor pool; complimentary continental breakfast.

Ramada Inn
29 Public Square, Galesburg, IL - 309-343-9161 or 800-272-6232
96 rooms; central location; near Knox College; adjacent to Amtrak; heated indoor pool/whirlpool; cocktail lounge & restaurant on premises.

Super 8 Motel - Galesburg
260 W Main St, Galesburg, IL - 309-342-5174 or 800-800-8000
48 rooms; cocktail lounge; adjacent to Knox College.

Super 8 Motel - Knoxville
I-74, Exit 51 at Knoxville, Galesburg, IL - 309-289-2100 or 800-800-8000
47 rooms; non-smoking and handicapped accessible rooms, indoor pool.

Travelers Rest Inn
565 W. Main St., Galesburg, IL - 309-343-3191