Ottawa

Ottawa is the county seat of LaSalle County in northern Illinois, located where the Fox River meets the Illinois River. The town spreads along both riverbanks and features several historic districts with buildings dating from the 1800s.

The town was founded in 1830 and grew into a major port along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. It hosted the first public debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858, drawing national attention.

The city takes its name from the Odawa people, an indigenous nation that once lived across the Great Lakes region. Visitors can trace this connection between the naming choice and the region's early story through local museums.

The town lies about 80 miles southwest of Chicago and can be reached via several highways. Visitors find parking downtown and can walk to most historic sites.

William Dickson Boyce founded both the Boy Scouts of America and the Lone Scouts of America here in the early 1900s. The John Hossack House served as an Underground Railroad station, helping people escape to freedom.

Location: LaSalle County

Inception: 1853

Elevation above the sea: 147 m

Website: https://cityofottawa.org

GPS coordinates: 41.35111,-88.83778

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:24