A Remarkable Past

In 1920, a businessman by the name of Jack Reagan moved his family into a home at 816 S. Hennepin Ave. in Dixon. His youngest son, Ronald, became a star of both the gridiron and the stage at Dixon High School, with the latter carrying him to a storied and illustrious career in Hollywood. But his ambitions would carry him even higher, and in 1980, the young boy from Dixon was elected the 40^th president of the United States.

Dixon’s place in American history is undoubtedly cemented through the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, where visitors from around the country can walk in the former president’s footsteps in the community that shaped him. Destinations like the iconic arch honoring World War I veterans and our Smithsonian-affiliated museum tell the remarkable history of our community, but the stories of Dixon are more than just historical sites. They’re represented in the fabulous artistic expressions that have captivated hearts in minds throughout our community for generations, from our nonprofit fine arts center to our cabaret-style theater to our annual festival honoring Dixon’s youngest artists. Like Reagan himself, young artists are provided ample outlets to express themselves and further contribute to the legendary history of our community.