Whiteside County
Illinois' Adventure River Capital
Experience presidential beginnings where it all started – in Tampico, the small farming town where Ronald Reagan was born February 6, 1911. Tour the authentic apartment above the restored First National Bank where our 40th President entered the world, then explore Reagan Park featuring the historic cannon young Ronald and his brother played on as children.
Fulton, Morrison, Prophetstown, Rock Falls & Sterling
Whiteside County offers unmatched river adventures with access to both the mighty Mississippi and scenic Rock River systems. Fulton provides gateway access to Mississippi River recreation, the Great River Trail, and the magnificent Dutch Windmill "de Immigrant" – an authentic working windmill built in the Netherlands and reassembled in Fulton, celebrating the town's rich Dutch heritage dating to the 1850s. The twin cities of Sterling and Rock Falls create premier Rock River destinations with excellent boating, fishing, and water sports, connecting to the historic Hennepin Canal system. Add Morrison-Rockwood State Park's diverse recreational opportunities, and Whiteside County emerges as the ultimate destination for active families seeking both presidential heritage and endless dual-river adventures.
Key Attractions:
- Ronald Reagan Birthplace Museum - Authentic 1911 birth apartment, restored First National Bank, period displays
- Dutch Windmill "de Immigrant" - Authentic working windmill from Netherlands, Dutch heritage celebration, Windmill Cultural Center
- Fulton Dutch Days Festival - Annual May celebration, traditional dancing, street scrubbing, authentic Dutch culture
- Sterling/Rock Falls Recreation - Twin Rock River cities, boating, fishing, water sports, river access
- Hennepin Canal & Rock River Trails - Historic waterway systems, biking, hiking, canal locks
- Morrison-Rockwood State Park - County seat recreation, diverse outdoor activities