Ottawa

Ottawa is a city rich in history going back to the 1820s. It was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate, and even a famous Civil War general was from Ottawa. The city has an enormous heritage in its churches, schools, and neighborhoods and has created impressive strength in its business and industry over the years. Ottawa also has contributed more than its share of service in the defense of the nation. The I&M Canal, Reddick Mansion, the appellate court, the LaSalle County Courthouse, the Tent Colony, the nearby shipyard and glass factories, the rivers, and the area state parks all have been important and unique parts that comprise Ottawa.

Jim Ridings has won awards as a reporter at The Daily Times in Ottawa. He was presented a Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council in 2006. Ridings is the author of 20 books on Illinois history, and three of his books have won awards from the Illinois State Historical Society.