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Ronald Reagan Birthplace
Learn about Reagan's life in Tampico

 

 

Photo: Joan Johnson in restored First National Bank, Tampico, Illinois.    

 

*HOURS OF OPERATION 

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT: Call birthplace phone 815-438-2130 or Joan Johnson 815-622-8705 .

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK!

 

~ Large groups need to call in advance to schedule your visit & get pricing information. Thank You~

RONALD REAGAN BIRTHPLACE & MUSEUM

111 - 113 S. Main Street
P. O. Box 344 (Mailing address)
Tampico, IL  61283
Birthplace phone: 815-622-8705

Joan Johnson, Curator/Mgr.:  815-622-8705  email Joan 

Birthplace email: reaganbirthplace@thewisp.net or garyjoan@thewisp.net

Become a volunteer! If you have a few hours any day of the week that you would like an opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world, or would just like to help out in a historic place, possibly see some old friends or make some new ones, please consider becoming a volunteer at the Birthplace. Contact: Joan Johnson at reaganbirthplace@thewisp.net, or call: 815-622-8705        

 

   RONALD REAGAN HISTORY IN TAMPICO, IL
by Joan Johnson
Curator & Mgr. of Reagan Birthplace & Museum

Ronald Reagan - 40th President of the United States – Only President born in Illinois
 
President Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico on Feb. 6, 1911 in an apartment above a bakery. The bakery was purchased by the First National Bank in 1919 and continued as a Bank until the 1930's. The apartment where he was born has been refinished to look as it did when he was born there. The bank has been restored to again look like a working bank of the early 1900's. The store located to the South of the Bank originally was a grocery store and now houses the gift shop for the Reagan Museum. 
 
When Ronald was 4 months old, the family moved from the apartment to a house on Glassburn Street. The house is located across the street from Reagan Park (originally known as Railroad or Depot Park). Ronald and Neil played on a cannon in the park as young children. He referred to the park and the cannon in several of his stories. When he was 4 years old, the Pitney Store, where his father, Jack Reagan worked, was sold and the Reagans moved to Chicago where Mr. Reagan worked for a short time at the Fair Department Store. The family then moved to Galesburg, where Mr. Reagan was employed as a store clerk. While there, Ronald learned to read at the age of 5, before starting to school. He attended Silas Willard School in Galesburg and skipped grade 2. The family then moved to Monmouth for a short time. They were called back to Tampico for Mr. Reagan to again work for Mr. Pitney, who had acquired his old store back. The family lived above the Pitney Store until moving to Dixon in December of 1920. 
 
    
For more information, contact  Joan Johnson, Curator/Mgr.:  815-622-8705 or e-mail: reaganbirthplace@thewisp.net or garyjoan@thewisp.net  
 

 

DOUBLE RAINBOW STAMPED CACHE

These are exclusive to the Reagan  Birthplace - You cannot purchase them from the Post Office

From Gift Shop

Mail orders available for $10.00. Contact: Ronald Reagan Birthplace to place orders:
Joan Johnson, 815-622-8705, reaganbirthplace@thewisp.net
P. O. Box 344
Tampico, IL 61283

Also available in Ronald Reagan Gift Shop:
"Reagan Forever Stamps" no longer available at Post Office. Prices will vary for sheets or individual

 

Photo: Double Rainbow over Ronald Reagan's birthplace in Tampico, IL on Election Eve. Ronald was given this picture, which he was known to keep in his desk drawer. He would take it out when he needed some inspiration.

 

FYI: The Ronald Reagan Birthplace/Museum and the Tampico Area Historical Society are two separate organizations and at two different locations. The Tampico Area Historical Society is located at 119 Main Street,  3 doors south of the R. Reagan Birthplace/Museum, 111-113 Main Street.

The Ronald Reagan Birthplace is located in an APARTMENT upstairs from the 1st National Bank. Tour begins in Gift Shop at 113 Main Street.

PHOTO ALBUMS
Dedication of Marker Book Signing Tour 2011 Reagan Statue Dedication Centennial Birthday  
Reagan Memorial Service Michael Reagan's 1st Visit to Tampico GIFT SHOP Helen Woods & Paul Nicely Reagan Window Repair
Misc. Reagan Photos Unveiling of Reagan Stamp Ronald Reagan Birthplace/Museum Visit from Docents from RR Pres. Library, Simi Valley, CA 2012 Visit from RR Trail Board Members

 

ON-SITE LINKS OF INTEREST
National Registry of Historic Places Reagan Message Board and Condolences 

 

 OFF-SITE LINKS OF INTEREST

 
Ronald Reagan Trail Ronald Reagan Museum - Eureka College  
Main Street Historic District Tampico Area Historical Society Group on Facebook   Blog: Marathon Pundit: Centennial Birthday

TAMPICO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MUSEUM - FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY/RESEARCH CENTER  119 Main St., P. O. Box 154,  Tampico, IL  61283   www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com   tampicoareahistory@gmail.com  We are an all-volunteer organization so your donations are always appreciated!  Sign up to receive our e-newsletter. Thank you!  Visit us on FACEBOOK.