Growing up in Illinois, one hears all about Lincoln.  Almost every town has a big old house or two. 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 the Lincoln-Manahan House in Sterling, IL. It is along the Lincoln Highway, which is Route 30.

This summer while driving the roads less traveled, I found myself on the Ronald Reagan Trail. It is a collection of highways in central Illinois. These highways 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. It celebrates the small town values. It also highlights the heritage of our 40th President. It was officially designated by the Illinois General Assembly in 1999.

Eureka, IL
Ronald Reagan went to Eureka College. It is fitting that they have a small museum dedicated to the president. He had a humble blue collar upbringing.  All politics aside, it is pretty inspiring to see how Midwestern values and ethics shaped Reagan as a world leader. It is impressive to think that someone from a small town. Many of us call places like this home. He was able to rise from poverty to the Presidency.

The Ronald Reagan Exhibit located in the Cerf Center contains over 2000 items. These include items from Ronald’s college days and his movie career. The exhibit also includes his eight years as governor of California. It highlights 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. It commemorates Reagan’s 1982 “Eureka Speech.” In this speech, 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.