Brief History

Ottawa's rich history begins with the Illinois tribe of Native Americans, who inhabited the region for centuries before European exploration. The first documented visit by French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet occurred in 1673, followed by the construction of a fort in 1682 by René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle. The city was officially laid out in 1830 and named "Ottawa," derived from the Native American term meaning "to trade."

The development of Ottawa was intrinsically linked to the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal), which began in 1836 just 13 miles west of the city. This ambitious waterway project connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, creating a continuous water route from New York to the Gulf of Mexico. The canal construction attracted diverse immigrant populations, including Norwegian and Irish workers, who contributed significantly to Ottawa's growth and cultural fabric.

Remarkably, before the canal's completion in 1848, Ottawa was larger than Chicago. However, the canal's success shifted the center of Midwestern trade from St. Louis to Chicago, transforming the latter into the booming metropolis we know today. Both Ottawa and Chicago share similar foundational elements, having been platted by the same surveyor, James Thompson, and featuring comparable urban design features including orientation to rivers and street naming conventions.

Ottawa achieved national prominence on August 21, 1858, when it hosted the first of seven Lincoln-Douglas debates. An estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people traveled to LaSalle County to witness this historic event at Washington Square Park. These debates, lasting approximately six hours each, brought Abraham Lincoln to national prominence and laid the foundation for his eventual election as President of the United States.

The city also played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, with the John Hossack House serving as a station for escaped slaves. Hossack, a Scottish-born abolitionist who operated a shipping company via the I&M Canal, was convicted in Federal Court in 1860 for helping fugitive slave Jim Gray escape to freedom. The Hossack House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Ottawa's industrial history includes the tragic story of the Radium Girls. The Radium Dial Company, which operated from 1922 to 1932 (and later as Luminous Processes until 1978), employed female workers to paint watch faces with radioactive radium paint. These workers, encouraged to lick their paintbrush tips for precision, suffered radiation poisoning and cancer, becoming part of a nationwide tragedy that affected thousands of women.

Today, Ottawa's historic downtown district remains intact and has been continuously used since the 19th century. The city serves as a popular destination for history enthusiasts, outdoor recreation lovers, and visitors exploring the Heritage Corridor region encompassing the I&M Canal, Route 66, and Starved Rock Country.

Attractions

Ottawa offers visitors a diverse array of Heritage Corridor Destinations member attractions that showcase the region's history and natural beauty:

Dining

Ottawa's Heritage Corridor Destinations member establishments offer visitors authentic local dining experiences that reflect the city's historic character and commitment to quality hospitality:

Accommodations

Visitors to Ottawa can choose from several Heritage Corridor Destinations member lodging establishments that provide comfortable accommodations and convenient access to the region's attractions: