Good news and bad news for historic sites in the area.
The good news is work has begun on the statue at Lowden Park that 99 percent of us call Blackhawk.  
Technically, the Eternal Indian, the concrete statue was dedicated in 1911, which makes it considerably older than most of us. It was showing its age and the ravages of 100 plus years of rain and the freeze-thaw cycle common in northern Illinois
Due to efforts of some Oregon area folks, the statue received private funding and eventually state money to preserve and restore Lorado Taft’s gift to us. Work is now underway on the statue, and I can’t wait for it to be completed. I have spent several afternoons with a cup of coffee sitting on the ledge in front of the Indian and looking out over the land he loved.
Unfortunately, another landmark is not fairing as well.
The boyhood home of Ronald Reagan is financially troubled. This is not a state or federally supported site, a foundation of Dixon area residents has the task of maintaining the home.

According to various published news reports, at one time the home was getting around 20,000 visitors annually. Visitors paid a fee, which was used to maintain the home and a small staff for the home and gift shop.  
Now, only approximately 6,000 visitors are recorded each year and last year the group running the home reported a loss of almost $200,000.  
I am not a financial genius, but even I recognize that trend cannot continue and the house stay open.
You may not be a Ronald Reagan fan. I think he was an acquired taste.
But realize of all the presidents connected to Illinois: Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, Obama… Reagan was the only one who was born here and lived here.
Years ago I visited his birthplace in Tampico, just south of Dixon. It was humbling to see the apartment where he was born. The Ronald Reagan birthplace and museum is run by the Tampico Historical Society, so it does not receive state or federal funds either.
I know times are tough in Illinois but this is the only president born and raised here. He is part of who we are today.
Maybe it’s time for the state to think about ways to preserve that history.
Like I said, you may not agree with the man’s politics. But I don’t think you can deny that the humble beginnings of No. 40 should inspire us all.

Terry Dickow is a retired elementary school teacher with lots of opinions, some you will like, some you won’t. He can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com.