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Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to October 31; special group tours can be arranged during the winter months.
Admission: $3.00 for visitors age 12 and older.
Contact: To arrange a tour, please call 815-652-4551.
Location: About two hours drive west of Chicago; about 1 hour drive east of Moline, Illinois.
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Order this Limited Edition statue, plus other John Deere Historic items online
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 John Deere left his home state of Vermont in 1836, and settled in Grand Detour, Illinois, a place many pioneers believed would become a flourishing community. This became the location where Deere established his homestead and built his first "self-polishing" steel plow. The new plow was exactly what the "new west" pioneers needed to till the sticky and moist prairie land.
The home John Deere built in Grand Detour still stands, as does a replica of the blacksmith shop he established. In addition, the site of the archeological dig that unearthed Deere's original shop has been preserved.
 The John Deere Historic Site has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, and a Historic Landmark of Agricultural Engineering by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.
In the atmosphere of a friendly 19th century prairie village, informed tour guides provide an entertaining and educational perspective of life on the prairie.
Visitors to the Historic Site will see the archeological site, blacksmith shop, John Deere's home, a visitor's center and a natural prairie as it existed over a century ago.
2006 Calendar of Events
Grand Detour Arts Festival
The John Deere Historic Site is host to this popular, annual event, featuring work from over 40 talented artists. Exhibited works include paintings, graphics, sculptures, jewelry, photography, drawings and artisan crafts. Enjoy the art show, food, music and the historic John Deere museum and grounds for $1.00 per person (12 & up). Open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information call (815) 652-4551.
For Further Information
John Deere Historic Site
8393 South Main
Grand Detour
Dixon, Illinois 61021-9406
Telephone: (815)652-4551
E-mail: John Deere Historic Site |
