Ronald Reagan's boyhood home in Dixon, Illinois—a two-story white wooden house with peeling paint, steep gabled rooflines, and a covered front porch decorated with red, white, and blue bunting. The house is set on a neatly maintained lawn with stone walkways and mature trees. A green lamppost stands in the foreground, and a small white outbuilding is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon, IL: What to Expect on the Free Tour

Ever wondered where a future president spent his childhood days? Take the free tour of Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home. Tucked away in northwest Illinois, just off I-88, lies the quaint town of Dixon, IL—a place that played a pivotal role in shaping Ronald Reagan’s early years. It’s not just any small town. This is where “Dutch” Reagan, as he was affectionately nicknamed, grew up, learned life lessons, and began his journey to the White House.​

In this blog post, we’ll take you on a tour of Reagan’s boyhood home, share some delightful anecdotes, and provide all the details you need to plan your visit. So, pour yourself a glass of your favorite California wine—​Reagan’s preferred beverage —and let’s take a journey through history in the heart of Illinois!

Note: At the time when we visited- May 2025- the house was being renovated. The outside of the house was going to be resided and painted. The inside was also getting a makeover. They removed a lot of the wallpaper from various rooms so many of the walls in the pictures are just plain white.

Photo of a sign that says, "We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to enhance this space."

Where is Dixon, IL?

Dixon, Illinois is a small town in Northwest Illinois off of I-88.

Historical Background

If you’re curious about where Ronald Reagan spent some of his formative years, look no further than Dixon, Illinois. Visit Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home in this charming town is the house where young “​Dutch” Reagan lived from 1920 to 1923. Built in 1891, this cozy Queen Anne-style home offers a window into the early life of a future president.

“Dutch” was a nickname his father, Jack, gave Reagan at birth because he “looks like a fat little Dutchman”. His father also gave his older brother the nickname “Moon” from the Moon Mullins comic strip because of his boisterous personality. Both these nicknames stuck with each of them throughout their lives.

A historical wall display featuring photographs and text. At the top are sepia-toned portraits of two young boys, labeled as Ronald Reagan and his older brother Neil around 1912. Below, bold text reads “Ronald Wilson Reagan is born.” A red and white banner labeled “1911” includes a printed biography noting Reagan’s birth on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. To the right, a black-and-white family portrait shows young Ronald standing on a platform next to his brother Neil, with their parents Jack and Nelle Reagan standing behind them. The display is framed by dark wooden door trim on either side.

Though the Reagan family called this house home for just three years, those years left a lasting impression on Ronald. He often reminisced about his time in Dixon, saying, “All of us have to have a place we go back to. Dixon is that place for me.” It’s clear that this town and this house held a special place in his heart.​

Even though Reagan lived in this house for only 3 years, his family stayed in Dixon throughout his formative years. The Midwestern values and humble upbringing made him the man who would go on to lead a nation.

Today, the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home has been lovingly restored to reflect its 1920s appearance, complete with period furnishings and decor. Walking through its rooms, you can almost hear the echoes of a young Reagan’s footsteps and imagine the experiences that helped shape his character.​

Recognizing its significance, the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It’s not just a house; it’s a piece of American history.

Tour Details: Visiting the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home

Planning a visit to the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home in Dixon, Illinois? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your experience.

Location:

  • 810 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL 60121

Parking:

  • parking lot on the corner of S. Galena Ave. and W 9th St.
  • street parking on S. Hennepin Ave.

Operating Hours:

  • Season: April 10- December 12
  • Thursday- Saturday 10 AM- 3:00 PM
  • Tours begin on the hour with the last one leaving at 3:00
  • According to the website in May 2025: “*We are currently undergoing an interior renovation. Guest can expect a modified tour of the home with insight into how the historic integrity is maintained in the history property while ensuring the home is preserved for future generations.”

Admission:

  • FREE- donations are welcome

Tour Details:

  • Tour lasts about an hour
  • A pre-tour film detailing President Reagan’s family life and the environment of the 1920’s and 1930’s. *We arrived as the tour was beginning so we didn’t watch the film beforehand. You can watch it after the tour as well. It’s shown in the visitor’s center.

Visitor Center and Gift Shop:

Before or after your tour, stop by the newly remodeled Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Here, you’ll find:

  • Books and gifts celebrating Ronald Reagan’s legacy
  • A four-room Presidential Timeline exhibit
  • A biographical video providing deeper insights into Reagan’s life
Display panel titled "Highlights From Ronald Reagan’s Returns to Dixon" featuring four sections with images and text detailing Reagan’s visits to his hometown. The sections, dated September 1941, August 1950, February 1984, and October 1990, describe events such as Louella Parsons Day, his visit with actress wife Nancy, a presidential campaign stop, and his final return as a former president. Prominent photo shows Reagan waving in a letterman jacket during his last visit.
Museum display titled "Ronald Reagan's Love for Football" featuring a large black-and-white photo of Reagan in a vintage football uniform from 1929. The exhibit includes text about Reagan’s role as George Gipp in Knute Rockne, All American, letters referencing Vince Lombardi, and a story about his stand against racism in high school. A red banner highlights that Reagan’s passion for football began in Dixon in fall 1929.

What You Will See on the Free Tour of Ronald Reagan’s Boyhood Home

You get to tour the first and second floors of the home. The furniture and the placement of items is pretty accurate because Reagan himself consulted on the layout, according to our tour guide. It was really cool to walk around and know that the house is the way it was when Reagan was growing up and lived here.

Victorian-style sitting room in Reagan's boyhood home with ornate floral wallpaper, lace curtains, and carved wooden window frames. The room features a vintage upholstered settee and matching chairs in burgundy fabric with gold motifs, set on a richly patterned Persian-style carpet.
Living room in the front of the house that was only used for guests.
Oak fireplace and mantle with surrounding brown/tan tile and hearth in front living room.
If you look closely, you can notice one square tile that’s not quite the same as the others on the hearth. There was a loose tile when Reagan lived here and he used to hide a secret stash of coins under that tile. When he visited during the opening of the home, he told this story and then wanted to keep the tile. They had to replace it with a close, but not perfect replacement.
Master bedroom that has an iron headboard and white blanket on the bed. It has a second blanket with red threads spotted all over it. There is a window with lace curtains and a chest with a mirror above it in the background.
Master bedroom
This is a picture of Ronald Reagan and his brother's bedroom that they shared. There is a patterned quilt on the bed along with some papers. The windows has lace curtains on them and there are some pennants on the white wall.
Reagan and his brother’s bedroom. They shared the bedroom and bed while living here.
This is a picture of a bed in the guest room. There are 3 windows with white lace curtains. The bed has a white quilt with another folded red and white quilt on the foot of the bed. There is an open bible on the bed..
Guest bedroom. Reagan’s mother’s Bible is opened to 2 Chronicles 7:14. This was Nellie Reagan’s favorite Bible verse. This is the same Bible that was used at Reagan’s inauguration.
Bathroom in Reagan's boyhood home. There is a white stand alone bathtub, toilet, and white sink. The bathroom floor has green tile and the walls are covered with floral wallpaper.
The family bathroom at the Reagan home.

Tips for Visitors to Ronald Reagan’s Boyhood Home

Planning Your Visit:

  • Arrive early to catch the hourly tours, however, this will vary depending on the season. When we went at the beginning of May, we were able to join the tour group when we arrived on the hour.
  • Allow time to visit the Visitor Center and other Ronald Reagan attractions throughout the town of Dixon.
  • Check local calendars to find any special events or festivals happening during your visit. One popular Dixon festival happening July 3-6, 2025 is the 61st Annual Dixon Petunia Festival.

Additional Attractions Worth Seeing in Dixon, Illinois

Don’t miss Ronald Reagan’s statue in a little park/square that’s next to the house.

Ronald Reagan's statue standing on a pedestal.

Reagan Walking Tour– self-guided tour where you can walk through Dixon and experience it the way Ronald Reagan did as a boy.

A few of the 10 must-see stops on the walking tour:

  • Dixon Public Library 221 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL, 61021- Reagan and his brother got library cards shortly after moving to Dixon.
  • First Christian Church 123 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL, 61021- Reagan was baptized and taught Sunday school here.
  • Lowell Park 2114 Lowell Park Rd., Dixon, IL, 61021- Reagan was a lifeguard and saved 77 lives over the 3 summers he worked here. Our docent told us a story that someone asked a girl that Reagan saved 3 times, why he had to save her 3 different times and her response was that “he was good looking”.

John Deere Historic Site 8334 South Clinton Street, Grand Detour (Dixon), IL 61021

  • watch live blacksmith demonstrations, tour the original John Deere family home, and see many artifacts including standing in the exact spot where John Deere forged the first self-scouring steel plow.

Check out this link to find more attractions in the Dixon area.

Roadtrip Add-Ons

Birthplace of Ronald Reagan in Tampico, IL.- about 30 minutes south of Dixon. Visit the birthplace of Ronald Reagan historical museum.

Historic Ronald Reagan Trail– self- guided driving tour that takes you through multiple cities that made an impact in Reagan’s life.

Blackhawk Statue in Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL- about 20 minutes north of Dixon. See the second largest monolith (a large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument- yes, I had to look up that word:)) in Illinois.

Blackhawk statue in Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL.

Lowden State Park has beautiful hiking trails, camping, fishing, boat ramp, canoe access, picnicking, and cross country skiing.

Wrap- Up

As you conclude your journey through Dixon, Illinois, it’s clear that this quaint town offers more than just a glimpse into Ronald Reagan’s early years—it provides a heartfelt connection to the humble beginnings of a future president. From the lovingly restored boyhood home to the self-guided walking tours, every corner of Dixon tells a story of character, resilience, and the American spirit.​

So, before you bid adieu to this charming locale, why not raise a glass of your favorite California wine—a nod to Reagan’s preferred beverage—and toast to the enduring legacy of “Dutch”? After all, as Reagan himself once suggested, “Like good wine, you’ve grown better, not older.”

Here’s to history, heritage, and the small towns that shape great leaders.