Attractions History & Heritage

Loveland Community House and Museum

Dixon, IL - Lee County
Home / What to Do / Attractions / History & Heritage / Loveland Community House and Museum

Address:

  • 513 West Second Street
  • Dixon, IL,
Get Directions

Details

Love Illinois history?  Check out some interesting items found in this beautiful building. 

  • Dolls & toys from yesteryear, some of which aren’t politically correct, some of which you may remember using yourself
  • Collectibles from the Rock River Assembly, the nation’s 2nd largest Chautauqua
  • Local, Dixon industry & business artifacts & collectibles (for a small farm town, we had a heck of a lot of industry)
  • The “low-tech” display featuring Edison phonographs, phones, the original Nachusa House switchboard, & tiny B&W TVs
  • Artifacts that pioneers used in everyday life-no plug ins or easy to use & clean here
  • The lifeguard chair “Dutch” Reagan used while working as a lifeguard at Lowell Park 
  • Photos of Ronald Reagan growing up in Dixon
  • Local and regional history exhibits

Plus fossils, Civil War weapons, and pioneer tools. Young visitors may ring school bells, operate antique vacuums and washing machines, and listen to a 1900 phonograph.

Donations appreciated, wheelchair accessible. The building is also available for meetings, corporate retreats, receptions and more.

Hours: Thursday & Friday 9am-2pm and Saturday 10am – 3pm

History 

One of the main purposes Mr. and Mrs. George C. Loveland had in mind when making provision for the community house was to perpetuate the name of the family the located in Dixon more than 175 years ago. Otis Loveland, the grandfather of George C. Loveland, came to Dixon with his wife, two sons and three daughters in 1837.

George C. Loveland was born in Dixon in 1847. In 1880, he married Emma Tomlinson in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Mrs. Loveland was born in Mt. Carroll in 1852 and died in 1937. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Mr. & Mrs. Loveland spent their lives in Dixon and vicinity and were vitally interested in the progress of this community. The felt that every normal individual craves and is entitled to a social life. They generously provided the building and equipment for the use of all who cared to participate in its activities.

The facility was built at a cost of $200,000.00 and was dedicated in 1940, which would be over $3,200,000.00 in today’s dollars.

Go to our website for more information.

@🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧! 🚨 Say hello to our #Interactive 𝟰-𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗽, now live on our homepage! 🎉 Whether planning a road trip, a weekend adventure or looking for a hideaway nearby, this clickable map makes exploring NW Illinois easier.

📍 Find it on our homepage 👉 at link in bio and scroll down!

Tag your adventure buddy, and let’s start exploring! 🚗💨
🔍 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨:
✔️ Click on any of the numbered locations 🏕️🏛️🎭
✔️ Instantly get details about top attractions, historical sites, outdoor adventures, and more
Tag your adventure buddy, and let’s start exploring! 🚗💨 

📍 Find it on our homepage 👉 www.visitnorthwestillinois.com

Tag your adventure buddy, and let’s start exploring! 🚗💨

#VisitNWIllinois  #ExploreLocal #AdventureAwaits #HiddenGems  #midleofeverything @exploresavanna @visitleecountyil  @visitcarrollcounty  @enjoyillinois @visitrockfalls @visitfulton
Don't miss the 🦅❄️ 5th 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 on Sat, Feb 8! Start your day with 🦅🦅
eagle viewing at the Lower Dam (300 West 1st Street, #RockFallsIL) before 10 AM. Then, from 10 AM to 2 PM, head to the Rock Falls American Legion (712 4th Avenue) for live birds of prey, Native American storytelling, ice sculpting, and more! This f𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹.

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 👉 at link in bio, under "EVENTS."

#visitnwillinois #enjoyillinois @enjoyillinois  #middleofeverything Visit Rock Falls 
#FlockToTheRock #EagleWatching
Don't miss the 🦅❄️ 5th 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 on Sat, Feb 8! Start your day with 🦅🦅 eagle viewing at the Lower Dam (300 West 1st Street, #RockFallsIL) before 10 AM. Then, from 10 AM to 2 PM, head to the Rock Falls American Legion (712 4th Avenue) for live birds of prey, Native American storytelling, ice sculpting, and more! This f𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹. 

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 👉 at link in bio, under "EVENTS."

#visitnwillinois #enjoyillinois
@enjoyillinois #middleofeverything @visitrockfalls #FlockToTheRock #EagleWatching #RockFallsIL #FamilyFun #NatureLovers
💌 February fun is here! From artful portraits to shopping sprees, eagle watching, and Galentine’s celebrations—there’s something for everyone. 🛍️🦅💖 https://swiy.co/OTAe

📍 Windows to the Soul – Experience breathtaking portraits in Oregon.
🛍️ Cupid Shop & Shuffle – Shop ‘til you drop in Dixon.
🦅 Flock to the Rock – Witness majestic eagles in Rock Falls.
💖 Galentine’s Day in Savanna – Celebrate with your besties in style!
#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois  #enjoyillinois #valentinesday #middleofeverything @visitrockfalls Visit Rock Falls @discoverdixon Discover Dixon CMAAA Oregon IL Area Chamber of Commerce
💘 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆, 𝘀𝗲𝘁, 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 & 𝗦𝗛𝗨𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘🏹✨

On Tuesday, 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟲 (𝟯-𝟴 𝗣𝗠), Downtown #DixonIL is THE place to be! Snag exclusive deals, sip on specialty drinks, and treat yourself (or your boo) to something sweet! 🍷🍫

🎁 Shop local & be entered to 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘅𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀!

Who’s coming with you? Tag your Valentine’s shopping squad! ⬇️

@discoverdixon @visitleecountyil 

#CupidShopAndShuffle #DixonIL #ValentinesVibes #ShopSmall #FoodieDate #RetailTherapy #visitnwillinois
It’s the one day a year when a groundhog becomes the ultimate weather influencer. Will we get six more weeks of winter, or is spring ready to make its grand entrance? Either way, we’re just here for the drama (and the adorable rodent).

Shadow or no shadow… let’s make the most of it!

#GroundhogsDay #WeatherPredictionsAreHard #ShadowOrNotWeExplore #VisitNWIllinois
🎶✨ Live music is calling in #SavannaIL! 🎤🎸 Catch #SophiCoyote at Music at the Museum for a night filled with soulful folk, Americana, and original tunes. 🌟

📅 Jan. 31
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Savanna Museum and Cultural Center

#MusicAtTheMuseum #SophiCoyote #LiveMusic #SavannaIL #VisitNWIL #visitnwillinois @enjoyillinois #enjoyillinois #middleofeverything #livemusic @visitcarrollcounty @exploresavanna
🎭 Lights, stage, action! At @TimberLakePlayhouse, every seat is the best seat in the house. ✨ Come for the performances, stay for the memories. 🖤🌟 It's going to be a fantastic Summer!

#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything @visitcarrollcountyil #enjoyillinois #MountCarrollIL #LiveTheatre #TimberLakePlayhouse

TRAVEL GUIDE

Request a free copy or view our latest guide online.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ideas and resources to help plan your next real getaway in NW Illinois.