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About Ottawa
Visit Ottawa soon....
you will be glad
you did!
Picturesque Ottawa, at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers,
in north-central Illinois, is the county seat of LaSalle County. Incorporated
in 1853, the city derives its name from the Indian term "adawe" (to trade).
Historic Washington Park, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate, and its
rose-bordered walk lead to many historic buildings that face the square.
The park is undergoing change, taking it back to early Ottawa, including
replica street lights and an old time popcorn wagon. Monuments honor local
war casualties and the park reminds visitors of an era long past.
Among the buildings facing the park is the home of William Reddick. It was
bequeathed to the city in 1885 and served as the library until 1975 when the
new library was built. It has since been restored and provides offices and
meeting facilities for quasi-public groups, including the Ottawa Area
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ottawa is a community of just over 20,000. It's prime location in North
Central Illinois, just 80 miles southwest of Chicago on Interstate 80,
positions the community in a most advantageous location.
Situated in the midst of some of the world's richest farmland, an
almost daily parade of grain trucks through Ottawa provide direct access
to overseas markets via New Orleans for the abundant harvest of corn and
soybeans. This commerical waterway system of the Illinois River provides
low-cost barge service to local industry. The river is a major link between
the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Gulf of Mexico.
Ottawa has two strong school systems, consisting of four public elementary
schools and a public junior high school, and two parochial grade schools.
At the secondary level, the public Ottawa Township High School and the
private Marquette High offer a range of academic, athletic and
extra-curricular opportunities. Cooperation between both systems allows the
best of opportunities for all students.
OTHS houses 1,600 students; Ottawa Grade Schools houses 2,300. Nearly 700
students are enrolled in the private schools.
The school systems reflect their community's history, using the best of
the past and future. 
Marquette High School, completed in
the 1990s, replaced an obsolete structure once housing a school and convent.
Lincoln School in the public system combines a century-old building with
two new wings. Both systems are using the latest in computer technology.
Ottawans enjoy clean air, four distinct seasons, a wide variety
of leisure activities, beautiful neighborhoods and river recreation. Named
the "Town of Two Rivers," Ottawa celebrates each year during Riverfest
in mid-summer. Flea markets, street dances, "Taste of Ottawa", parade,
fireworks, entertainment and events occur at that time.
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