! s u w o n k Get to S I O N I L L I , AMBOY 2019-2020
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Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
GET TO KNOW US ... AMBOY | WHAT’S INSIDE Publisher: Don T. Bricker General Manager/ Advertising Director: Jennifer Heintzelman Advertising Sales: Luke Eisenberg Editors: Kathleen Schultz Rusty Schrader
History .......................................................4-7 Community groups ........................................ 9 Education ................................................... 11 Dining ....................................................... 12 Churches.................................................... 13 Attractions................................................... 16 Library....................................................17-18 Parks.......................................................... 18 Camping ................................................... 19 Parks.......................................................... 20 Railroads ...............................................21-23 Sauk Valley Community College.................... 24 Health care ................................................ 25 Depot Days................................................. 26 Numbers to note ......................................... 27
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AMBOY | HISTORY
From farm roots to railroads and beyond
T
he city of Amboy sprang forth from humble roots. In the mid-1800s, the land that now falls within city limits primarily was farmland, dotted with a few shanties and farmhouses, built by settlers who began arriving in 1837. All that changed in 1852, when the Illinois Central Railroad bought the farms owned by Cyrus Davis, Joseph Appleton and Joseph Farwell, with plans to make Amboy its manufac-
turing and repair shop hub. A survey was done on March 23, 1854, to establish the original portion of town, and bonds for lot deeds were executed that July. The first city lot, on the northeast corner of Main Street and South East Avenue, was bought by John L. Skinner for $600. He built a hotel on the lot, and within a year, there were 100 homes and 1,000 people in Amboy. HISTORY continued on 54
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Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 As the Illinois Central Railroad made progress on its buildings, people came to Amboy and settled there. To accommodate them, Amboy’s original plat was expanded repeatedly until the city limits encompassed nearly 1,000 acres of land. By July 1856, a 2-year-old Amboy had nearly 2,000 inhabitants, 500 houses, two churches (also used as schoolhouses), a printing office, 16 stores, several groceries, a planning mill, three hotels, two livery stables and other shops, including a carpenter, cabinet, blacksmith, tin, mattress, paint and harness shop. Common storerooms were rented at $150 to $200 a year, homes from $10 to $20 a month.
A town without a name The town continued to grow and prosper, but did not have a name. The residents called a meeting to
rectify that situation, and many suggestions were made, including Hornsby, Bolton, Painted Post and Elmira. Finally, the name Bath was chosen. Lorenzo D. Wasson was sent to Dixon with the necessary papers to have the town so incorporated, but when the papers were returned, to everyone’s astonishment, it had been incorporated as Amboy. The cause of the change never has been determined. Some thought the name Amboy came from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, which was named for the Earl of Perth, while others attribute it to the Indian word “em-bo-li,” which means “between the hills.” It may not have been the city’s chosen name, but it stuck, and the city was incorporated as Amboy by popular vote on March 2, 1857. Later that year, Col. John B. Wyman was elected its first mayor. HISTORY continued on 74
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
A city at war
In 1942, Amboy was selected as the Mormons at Palestine Grove site for the Green River Ordnance Among some of the early settlers Plant, one of four munitions assemin the Amboy region were Benjamin bly facilities built in Illinois during and Elizabeth Wasson. World War II. The Wassons built a cabin along The Stewart-Warner Corp. operated the Green River in 1837, and later a the 8,342-acre facility for the Army house in what was then known as Ordnance Corp., which had seven Palestine Grove, just outside of presmunitions lines. ent-day Amboy. The types of ammunition manuElizabeth Wasson’s sister was Emma factured at Green River ranged from Smith, wife of Joseph Smith, founder rifle grenades to armor-piercing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latshells to bombs. The bazooka rocket ter-day Saints. was developed and produced there. When the Smiths and other memBy Dec. 15, 1942, Green River bers of the Mormon Church fled employed 4,419 people on 3 shifts, 6 religious prosecution in Fayette, days a week. New York, More than they moved half of these to Illinois workers were and settled in women, who Commerce. were entering The village the work force later changed in significant its name to numbers for Nauvoo. the first time. Because Worker Nauvoo turnover was and Amboy constant, were not too especially on A view of Main Street, looking west, in far apart, the loading Amboy, circa 1930s. the Smiths lines where would travel explosive powder in the air caused to Amboy to visit the Wassons and skin infections and inhaling the powhelped establish Mormonism within der caused respiratory problems. the community, making Amboy one Despite the constant need for new of the first settlements of the Morworkers, Green River was awarded an mon Church. Army-Navy “E” flag for efficiency in Just outside of Amboy on Mormon production and won two more stars Road, the Mormon Church estabby the end of the war. lished the Mormon Cemetery. One of Only 5 percent of the nation’s war Brigham Young’s wives is buried there. production plants received this award. After Joseph Smith died and the By the time the plant ceased prochurch was moved to Plano, memduction on Aug. 20, 1945, Green River bers of the Mormon Church began attending some of the other churchhad produced 25 million rifle grees in Amboy. By 1854, there were nades, 10 million 75-mm projectiles nine churches in Amboy. and 10,921 1,600-pound bombs. n Sauk Valley Media
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Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
AMBOY | COMMUNITY GROUPS Teen Turf is a nonprofit agency that provides a facility in which youth can gather in a safe and wholesome environment, with parental supervision and positive role models for after-school tutoring, counseling, and mentoring. Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Amboy Education Foundation More info: 815-857-2856 or Facebook Amboy Lions Club 280 W. Wasson Road; meets 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. More info: 815-440-1779; amboylionsclub.com or Facebook American Legion & Auxiliary Poths-Lavelle, Post 453 P.O. Box 112, meets third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m., More info: 815-973-4454 or illinoisdist13-legion.org Depot Museum Commission More info: 815-857-4700 oramboydepotmuseum.org Future Farmers of America 11 E. Hawley St., More info: 815-857-3632 or ffa.org Girl Scouts 229 First Ave., Suite 1, Rock Falls More info: 815-997-5100 or girlscoutsni.org Green River Saddle Club 1580 Morman Road, More info: 815-440-2698, greenriversaddleclub.webs.com Sauk Valley Media
or Facebook Lee County Master Gardeners Lee County Extension Office 280 W. Wasson Road, More info: 815-857-3525 or web. extension.illinois.edu/clw Illinois Central Masonic Lodge 237 E. Main St. More info: 178-il.ourlodgepage.com Knights of Columbus Council 8277 St. Patrick Catholic Church, 32 N. Jones Ave. More info: 815-857-2315, stpatrickamboy.org or kofc.org Lee County 4-H, Lee County Extension Office 280 W. Wasson Road More info: 815-857-3525 or web.extension.illinois.edu/clw St. Patrick’s Women’s Organization St. Patrick Catholic Church, 32 N. Jones Ave. More info: 815-857-2315 or stpatrickamboy.org/womens-organization Teen Turf Inc. 235 W. Main St. More info: 815-857-4800 or Facebook 9
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AMBOY | EDUCATION Through data-driven decisions, teamwork, community involvement and visionary leadership, the Amboy Board of Education is striving for “excellence, every day” – the district’s vision statement. The Amboy Board of Education meets once a month, generally on the third Thursday of the month, at 7 p.m. in the high school gym. A calendar of dates, which might vary based on holidays and other school activities, is available on the district website. Amboy Community Unit School District No. 272 11 E. Hawley St. 815-857-2164 amboy.net The rural district of 705 students consists of three schools: Amboy High School 11 E. Hawley St. 815-857-3632 Amboy High School was formed as part of Amboy CUSD 272 in 1949 in Lee County. This district replaced the former Amboy Township High School District. The 205-square-mile district encompasses Amboy, Sublette, Maytown, Harmon, Eldena and Walton. In September 1969, the new building at Metcalf and Hawley streets opened, replacing the former school building, which now houses Amboy Junior High School. Amboy High School is the home of the Clippers, whose colors are red, black and white. School activities include Academic Bowl, FFA, Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, yearbook, band, chorus and athletics. Janet Crownhart is principal. Amboy Junior High School 140 S. Appleton Ave. 815-857-3528 At Amboy Junior High, fifth- through Sauk Valley Media
eighth-graders take courses in English, language arts, math, science, social studies, art and computers. Opportunities are available for advanced math, pre-algebra and algebra. All students can participate in beginning band, band, pep band and jazz band. Sixth- through eighth-graders also can join chorus. Extracurricular opportunities include an art club, computer club, academic team, student council, wrestling, volleyball, basketball and track. The school is the home of the Vikings. Andrew Full is principal. Amboy Central Elementary School 30 E. Provost St. 815-857-3619 Central School includes kindergarten through fourth grade, Smart Start and Early Childhood Education. All classrooms are on the ground floor, and a large, safe playground is behind the school. Central is a progressive elementary school that uses research-based methods of instruction to teach the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. Specialists also are on staff to teach science, music and physical education. The Ogle County Education Cooperative provides special education services in all grades. Joyce Schamberger is principal. 11
AMBOY | DINING You won’t find Marshal Dillon or Miss Kitty at the Long Branch Saloon in Amboy, but you will find a heapin’ helpin’ of westerninspired food and drink, such as the Horseback Burger, Cowboy Burger, and Kickin’ Kentucky Mule. Meusel’s Dairy Delite (Seasonal hours: Last day for 2019 will be Sept. 29. Find Meusel’s Dairy Delite on Facebook for more information) 303 S. Mason Ave. 815-857-2050 Amboy Family Restaurant & Pizza Junction 211 E. Main St.
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AMBOY | CHURCHES East Grove Union Church 449 Reuter Road More info: 815-3766661 or Facebook First Baptist Church 24 N. Mason Ave. More info: 815-8572682 or fbcamboy.org Grace Fellowship Church 37 S. East Ave. More info: 815-857-3900 or graceisforyou.com Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 960 U.S. Route 52 More info: 815-8572225 or Facebook
United First Church of Amboy St. Patrick Catholic Church 32 N. Jones Ave. More info: 815-857-2315 or stpatrickamboy.org
United First Church of Amboy 326 E. Main St. More info: 815-440-0745, ucc.org or Facebook
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AMBOY | ATTRACTIONS Amboy Conference plaque 9 S. East Ave. Amboy was one of the first Mormon Church settlements. The Amboy Conference was the settling of the official “reorganization” of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints into the Latter Day Saint denomination now known as the Community of Christ. The conference was held April 6, 1860. Amboy Depot Museum See the story on pages 21-23 for information on the museum. Carson Pirie Scott store plaque 55 S. East Ave. Samuel Carson left Ireland in 1854 and found his way to Amboy, where he opened a dry goods store called Carson Pirie & Company. The store
became the foundation of the retail department store chain. A plaque commemorates the site of the first store. Stone Home Farm 1125 Inlet Road, Lee Center 815-440-5556 stonehomefarm.com The owners of this historic farm, located about 4 miles northeast of Amboy, sell fresh eggs, pork and alpaca yarn. Temperance Hill Cemetery and Prairie Preserve Off U.S. Route 52 north of Amboy, west of U.S. Route 52 and Inlet Road junction This cemetery, started in 1846, is situated on a fragment of virgin prairie and is an Illinois Nature Preserve. Three crosses at the end of the cemetery drive mark the site.
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AMBOY | LIBRARY
Lending, learning and more at Pankhurst I n 1875, a library association was formed to create a new library. It was housed in various locations until 1910, when the Amboy Women’s Club rented rooms on the second floor of the Green Building for use as a public library. Within a year, though, the library outgrew its space, so it moved again to the Vaughan Building over Whonke’s Drug Store. To maintain the library, an annual fee of $1 was charged to each adult and 25 cents to each child patron.
By 1922, the library had 2,800 volumes. In 1928, James W. Pankhurst, a prominent farmer in the area, donated money for a new library to serve as a lasting memorial to himself. W.F. Remsburg was hired to build this first permanent library in Amboy. The new library, named Pankhurst Memorial Library, was dedicated May 27, 1929, with the Women’s Club presenting all of the books from the old library to the new one. PANKHURST continued on 184
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 The first borrower’s card went to Pankhurst when the library opened July 6, 1929. That day, 93 people registered for borrower’s cards and 115 books were checked out. By the end of the library’s first fiscal year on May 9, 1930, the library had 508 registered borrowers and a collection of 2,756 volumes, including 2,061 adult books, 695 children’s books and nine newspapers and magazines. Today, about a third of Amboy residents have a library card, and the library has more than 23,500 volumes. The library also offers an online e-book service, DVDs and more. The Women’s Club now is the Amboy Civic Organization, but it continues to support the library through fundraising efforts. Pankhurst Memorial Library has been updated with a ramp and elevator to make it accessible to the disabled. Services to patrons include interlibrary loans, online e-book loans, programs and events for all ages, a copier and fax machine and a meeting room.n
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Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
AMBOY | CAMPING
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mboy, with its abundant natural beauty, has long been a popular destination for campers. On an average summer weekend, 35,000 people come to stay at one of the many campgrounds in the Amboy area. On holiday weekends, that number increases to more than 50,000 campers. Green River Oaks Camping Resort 1442 Sleepy Hollow Road 815-638-2088 greenriveroaks.com Mendota Hills Campground 642 U.S. Route 52 815-849-5930 mendotahillscampground.com O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Jellystone Park 970 Green Wing Road
877-570-2267 jellystoneamboy.com Pine View Campgrounds 1273 Sleepy Hollow Road 815-857-3964 pineviewcampgrounds.com Woodhaven Lakes (Private resort, membership available with lot purchase) 507 LaMoille Road, Sublette (3 miles west of U.S. Route 52) 815-849-5209 woodhavenassociation.com
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AMBOY | PARKS
Clint C. Conway Historical Park Main Street, two blocks west of U.S. Route 52; t site of the Amboy Depo ad lro rai , um se Mu engine and picnic shelter. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Amboy Park District cityofamboy.org/parks
wetland with black oak sand savannas, sedge meadows and dry sand prairie.
Amboy City Park East Main Street, five blocks east of U.S. Route 52; picnic areas, shelters, charcoal grills, playground equipment, lighted ball diamonds, tennis courts, bathrooms, water and electricity, plus 30 sculptured trees; closed Nov. 1 through April 1.
Green River State Wildlife Area 375 Game Road, Harmon, 15 miles southwest of Amboy; this wildlife restoration area is popular with hunters, hikers and birders. The 2,565-acre area includes prairie restorations, timberlands and a camping area.
Amboy Sports Park Corner of Appleton Avenue and Main Street; soccer, football and baseball fields, plus a playground, concession stand and bathrooms. Amboy Marsh Nature Reserve Trails 1701 Mormon Road, 217-544-2473; hike or bike trails through the 302-acre 20
Sen. David C. Shapiro Park U.S. Route 52, next to the Green River; picnic shelter and tables, bathrooms, and fishing. Veterans Park Corner of East Avenue and Division Street; the Amboy Women’s Club dedicated the park in fall 1919 to the veterans of World War I. Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
AMBOY | RAILROADS
A whistle-stop tour of history BY ANDREA MILLS For Sauk Valley Media
AMBOY – Sometimes, when we get a case of wanderlust, we hear distant destinations calling our names, but what we often miss hearing is a train whistle just down the track, beckoning us to stop by for a visit. That destination closer to home is saying “allll aboard!” at the Amboy Depot Museum, a place filled with historic items and a layout that encourages visitors’ imaginations to picture what life was like in the days when there was plenty of hustle and bustle at the downtown depot. It all started when the Illinois Central Railroad began operating in the
city, in 1854. Amboy was designated the division headquarters of the Illinois Central Northern Division. According the museum’s brochure, this was the 118-mile portion of the railroad between Amboy and East Dubuque. That meant Amboy was the center of administration, crew change and sectional maintenance for the cars, track and locomotives. The first depot-hotel was destroyed by fire in 1875 and was replaced by the current building, designed by James Nocquet and built in 1876 of brick and Joliet limestone. Its rooms were heated by wood stoves, which are on display today. MUSEUM continued on 224
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 As I walked through the museum, I have to admit that I was particularly interested in the what the rooms were originally used for, so my eyes were scanning the walls, seeking signs that would reveal what the room had been in its depot days. On the first floor, part of the building was for public use, with a men’s waiting room and ladies’ waiting and dressing rooms, an area for ticket purchases, and a lunch counter. The rest of that floor was for railroad work, with space for conductors, baggage storage, baggage men, trainmen, a battery room,and a vault. Today these rooms house artifacts of local interest. Pieces that caught my eye included a wedding dress from circa 1900 worn by Mabel Fordam of Walnut. Gladys Keefer’s 1929 wedding dress also was displayed. She married Dr. Harold Bartlett, and her house now is the MihmJones Funeral Home. Then my eyes lit up when I saw Marcus Mitzel’s2012 Eagle Scout project: a model train – not operating that day, alas – but still lovely to look at. I also viewed an Illinois Central Passenger Train scale model from the golden era of trains, 19451960. Among the cars are one for baggage, a Pullman, and one each for dining, dome, coach and observation. Makes you want to go on a trip. The handy room signs informed me that the baggage men’s room was where the they sorted and stored passengers’ luggage, and sorted and received small freight shipments for the locals. MUSEUM continued on 234 22
New statue at museum commemorates Orphan Train AMBOY – Trains carrying orphaned children in their quest to find loving homes once crossed through the Sauk Valley, and now their story has been immortalized at one of their stops. The Orphan Train Memorial, a statue commemorating the “orphan trains” and its passengers, was unveiled in August at the Amboy Railroad Depot Museum, 99 E. Main St. Bryn Callahan, a Moline High School senior and president of the Children of the American Revolution’s Illinois chapter, started the project to bring attention to the more than 10,000 riders who found homes in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle, and Carroll counties, and elsewhere in Illinois, from 1854 to 1929. Callahan’s great-great-great-grandfather, Richard Groharing, rode on one train with his brothers, William and Edward, who eventually found a home in Amboy. According to research done by Callahan and his grandmother, Luanne Bruckner of Thomson, 213 children founds homes throughout northern Illinois: 32 in Whiteside County, 31 in Lee County, 27 in Ogle County and nine in Carroll County. The last orphan train stopped in Texas in 1929. Go to amboydepotmuseum.org or call 815-857-4700 for more information. – SVM staff report Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
side of Main Street and was built in 1925, and a violin played at the Lee In the center of the building, I found County Fair horse races. a large, curving staircase and along The museum is blessed with a the wall were interesting paintings by multitude of railroad and commuBert Hewitt. Referring to the brochure, nity objects that make a return visits I soon found out that upstairs I’d find worthwhile. the administrative offices for the diviAmboy’s role as division leader lasted sion. I began the tour up there in the only 17 years before is lost its place engineer’s storeroom. Now it contains during the railroad’s a bedroom scene, reorganization. but in its heyday, That left the upper Did you know? it held surveying floor available to be Six presidents have visited the instruments, tools turned into the livAmboy Depot Museum buildand supplies needing quarters for the ing: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses ed to maintain and depot operator. PasS. Grant, Zachary Taylor, William upgrade track. senger service evenMcKinley, Herbert Hoover and From there, I tually ended in 1939. Ronald Reagan moved into the civil Another thing to engineer’s room and If you go … pay attention to the upstairs, walk-in What: Amboy Depot Museum during your visit is vault, where cash Where: 50 S. East Ave., Amboy the building itself: was kept. The next When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and 12-foot-high ceilings room used to house Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10-foot windows dispatchers, where Friday and Saturday; closed Nov. with original moldthe trains were con1 to March 31; open Memorial ing and original trolled by telegrams Day, Fourth of July and Labor hardwood floors, sent by telegraphers Day, closed on other holidays which helped to put in the following Cost: Donation the depot on the room. The telegraAccessibility: Accessible to National Register of phers must have wheelchairs to the first floor; Historic Places. They had a high-pressure some tight spaces don’t make them like job, working 24 Information: amboydepotmuthey used to. hours a day. Messeum.org or 815-857-4700 or Before leaving sages went back and email information@amboydepotAmboy, take Main forth for the dismuseum.org Street back through patchers and were Also on the grounds: Illinois town across the highpassed through a Central Freight House, Palmer way and continue small wooden winSchool, Steam Locomotive for a short distance dow. Northwestern Steel & Wire to Amboy City Park Next was the No. 76 and Wooden – Green River. Take a accountants’ room, Caboose 518125 short drive through followed by the the park to view the wood carvings superintendent’s office and his secrethere. And don’t forget to grab a local tary’s office. Among the items upstairs that caught lunch or treat before heading home. While you can’t get a ticket to ride my eye were a bonnet from the 1954 anymore, you can still do some time Amboy Centennial autographed by traveling – and when this destination Gov. William Stratton, a buffalo rug, a replica of the Amboy Arch, which calls your name, it won’t be long disspanned U.S. Route 52 on the north tance. n
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
Sauk Valley Media
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AMBOY | HIGHER EDUCATION
College for the community
S
auk Valley Community College has been on a mission to provide quality education to its diverse student body since its doors opened in 1965. The college, which sits on a 144-acre campus at 173 state Route 2, between Dixon and Sterling, enrolls more than 2,500 full- and part-time students a year from 16 in-district high schools, 18 states and three foreign countries. Sauk offers 2-year transfer associate degrees in art or science in more than 40 areas; 22 career-technical degrees, 24 associate degrees and a associate in engineering science degree, along with 50 career-technical certificates. Sauk also offers adult education classes, dualcredit courses for area high school students, literacy and GED services, com-
More info
Go to svcc.edu or call 815835-6273. Class schedules are available online. munity services and workforce services. Men’s and women’s sports, cultural activities and events, and more than 20 student clubs and organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa (the honor society for 2-year colleges), student government, Association of Latin American Students, Magic Club, Campus Crusade for Christ and Math Club, contribute to the vibrant campus life. Students also have access to the Sauk YMCA. Sauk has been fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1972.
Serving Our Local Communities for Over 90 Years Great Deals, Great Service, since 1926 F l a v o r s We bring life to products.TM
25 E. Main St., Amboy, IL
www.vaessenbrothers.com
815-857-3691 Rt. 52 N. Sublette, IL Ph. 815/849-5232 or 1-800-227-5203 After 6, 849-5251 SM-ST1698094
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SM-ST1698098
Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
AMBOY | HEALTH CARE The Amboy community is served by two area hospitals and a clinic.
KSB Hospital
Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital is an 80-bed acute-care facility founded more than 115 years ago. Along with the typical services a hospital provides, KSB offers a balance center, cancer center, diabetes center, foot and ankle center, sleep lab, occupational therapy, and hospice and home nursing care, among several other medical services. In 2006, KSB opened a $3 million, state-of-the-art cardiovascular services lab and endoscopy area. And in 2011, it completed a $16 million expansion of the outpatient surgery and emergency departments. In spring 2014, a newly renovated Intensive Care Unit was opened. KSB Hospital – 403 E. First St., Dixon, 815-288-5531, ksbhospital. com KSB Center for Health Services, Amboy Clinic – 308 E. Joe Drive, Amboy, 815-857-3044, ksbhospital.com
troenterology, nephrology, neurology, oncology, podiatry, pulmonology, rheumatology, and surgery. A community health services department provides occupational health services, drug testing, and a variety of public programming and screenings throughout the year to promote public awareness and offer early detection or warning for certain diseases. It also offers home health services, magnetic resonance imaging, a CT scanner, and it has its own rehabilitation services department. OSF Saint Paul Medical Center – 1401 E. 12th St. (U.S. Route 34), 815539-7461, osfhealthcare.org/saint-paul
A Camping Private Recreational Community 815-849-5909
www.woodhavenlakes.com
OSF Saint Paul Medical Center
509 Lamoille Rd. Sublette, Il
Mendota Community Hospital, now named OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, opened its doors in June 1951. An entirely new, acute-care facility was opened in 2011, employing more than 300 people. The OSF Healthcare System and was welcomed into the Ministry in April 2015. The hospital has a 24/7, physicianstaffed emergency room and an intensive care unit. It offers other services, including cardiopulmonary care, gasSauk Valley Media
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AMBOY | THINGS TO DO
Depot Days: A big draw – and a big drawing
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other car shows in the Sauk Valley epot Days, a 4-day festival area each summer and invite the winheld every year on the weekners of those shows to Depot Days. end before Labor Day, celThose who prefer looking at tracebrates the town’s railroad heritage. tors will want to attend the antique It also brings out the best in antique farm tractor show. and classic cars, trucks and tractors, There is a carnival, petting zoo and while providing plenty of fun activifireworks to entertain the children, ties for the entire family. as well as a craft The highlight is the show, food stands, car show. It’s one of Online beer garden, parade, the largest in Illinois, • Depotdays.com often attracting more • Depotdayscarshow.com a 5K run/walk, and free live entertainthan 450 vehicles to • Find “Amboy Depot ment throughout the downtown shopDays 50/50 Drawing” on the weekend. Other ping district. There Facebook events include comare more than 35 munity-wide garage classes of vehicles at sales, the announcement of Miss the show, including restored classics, Amboy, and a Little Mister and Miss muscle cars, street rods, modified Amboy event. vehicles and unique, special interest Another major highlight: the annuvehicles. Another group of vehicles that always attracts attention is the al 50-50 raffle. The 2019 first-place Best of the Best class; members of the winner took home $ $105,425, and four people took home $5,000. n Amboy Car Show Committee attend
Owner/ Managing Broker
Over 30 Years Experience
Lori Erbes, GRI SM-ST1698097
lorierbes@gmail.com
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815-535-6295
1922 Tower Rd. • Sublette, IL 61367 Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020
AMBOY | NUMBERS OF NOTE UTILITIES & SERVICES Amboy Water Department 227 E. Main St., Amboy, 815-8573814, cityofamboy. org Allied Waste 1214 S. Bataan Road, Dixon, 815284-2432, republicservices.com/corporate/home.aspx ComEd (electricity) 919 W. First St., Dixon, 800-3347661, comed.com Comcast (cable/Internet) 115 N. Galena Ave., Dixon, 800-9346489, comcast.com Nicor (gas) 1844 Ferry Road, Naperville, 888-6426748, nicor.com Verizon (cell phones) 1684 S. Galena Ave. 288-40447 Next Generation Wireless (cell phones) 66 Keul Road, 228-7407
GOV’T City Hall 227 E. Main St., Amboy, 815-8573814, cityofamboy. com Lee County Animal Control Sauk Valley Media
112 E. Second St., Dixon, 815-2885135, 815-2843833 Lee County Clerk 112 E. Second St., Dixon, 815-2883309, leecountyil. com Lee County Treasurer 112 E. Second St., Dixon, 815-2884477, leecountyil. com Lee County Chief of Assessments 112 E. Second St., Dixon, 815-2884483, leecountyil. com City Maintenance Building 1 Water St., 815857-2422 Illinois Secretary of State (driver/ vehicle services) 925 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, 815-288-6685
(U.S. Route 34), 815-539-7461, osfhealthcare.org/ saint-paul
EDUCATION Amboy Community Unit School District 272 11 E. Hawley St., 815-857-2164, amboy.net
MISC. Amboy Community Building 280 W. Wasson Rd., 815-857-2324, cityofamboy.com The Telegraph 113 S. Peoria Ave. Ste. 1, Dixon, 815-
284-2222 Post Office 215 E. Division St., 815-857-2212, usps.com
EMERGENCY Amboy Police 227 E. Main St., 815-857-3400 Fire and ambulance 25 N. East Ave., 815-857-2325 Lee County Sheriff 306 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, 815284-5217 IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911
HEALTH Pankhurst Memorial Library 3 S. Jefferson Ave., 815-857-3925, amboy.lib.il.us KSB Hospital 403 E. First St., Dixon, 815-2885531, ksbhospital. com OSF Saint Paul Medical Center 1401 E. 12th St. 27
KSB CENTER FOR HEALTH SERVICES
AMBOY CLINIC DR. KURT CROWE, DR. EMILEE BOCKER & LEE MURRIN, FNP
815- 857-3044
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Get to know us...Amboy, Illinois • 2019-2020