Free Republic

DIXON, Ill. (AP) Ronald Reagan's death has drawn a steady stream of cars down the rural highways leading to Dixon, Tampico and Eureka, the often forgotten small towns where the only Illinois-born president grew up playing football and dreaming of Hollywood. Five times the usual number of tourists have crossed the porch of Reagan's boyhood home in Dixon daily since his death. Hundreds of others have discovered the Reagan collection at Eureka College, where he graduated in 1932. ``Whenever anyone passes away, it's a time of reflection. I think people want to touch and feel and have a connection,'' said...

Some of the sites on the Ronald Reagan Trail, created in 1999 to trace the roots of the only U.S. president born in Illinois: ^Reagan Birthplace Location Tampico. Address 111 S. Main Street. Significance: Reagan was born in the second-story apartment on Feb. 6, 1911. The 1,700-square-foot apartment has been restored, and work is under way to convert the first floor into a museum. Hours 10-4 Monday-Saturday, 1-4 Sunday (through Nov. 30). Admission Free. ^Reagan Boyhood Home Location Dixon. Address 816 S. Hennepin Avenue. Significance Reagan was 9 when his family moved to Dixon, where he went to school, attended...