John Deere Historic Site
One of the most poplar tourist sites in the local area is the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, IL. 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 gift shop and a natural prairie as it existed over a century ago.

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.

Archaeological Site
In 1962, an archaeological team from the University of Illinois unearthed the exact location of the blacksmith shop where John Deere developed the first successful steel plow in 1837. The location has been preserved in an exhibit hall, which shows how the dig was performed. In a simulated conversation, John and Demarius Deere talk of daily events. The discussion enhances additional exhibits that show how the blacksmith shop was arranged and operated by Deere and his apprentices. The exhibit contains many artifacts actually found on the site. A pictorial interpretation of the progress of Deere's business also is housed there.

Blacksmith's Shop
Visitors enter John Deere's blacksmith shop to the sounds of horse's hooves walking the treadmill, iron hammers on an anvil, and conversations between workers. The exhibit recreates the original blacksmith's shop and depicts one of the most prestigious trades practiced in the days of old. It was here that Deere developed the self-polishing steel plow that opened the prairie to agriculture.

John Deere's Home
The John Deere Home provides an intimate glimpse of pioneer life. Deere built the home when he arrived in Grand Detour in 1836 and later added sections to accommodate the growing Deere family. The rooms are furnished exactly as the Deere family would have furnished them and contain actual household objects that show how pioneers cooked, cleaned, bathed, and spent leisure hours.

Visitors' Center
The home of Deere's neighbor, furnished with many period items, serves as a visitors' center. It also has been preserved and provides a different perspective of prairie life. The formal sitting room is adorned with prints of original paintings by W.H. Hinton, which depict the life of John Deere, the opening of the prairie, and the development of his plow. The building also houses a gift shop.

Natural Prairie
Nearly two acres of natural prairie stands on the grounds of the Historic Site. Encircled by tall grasses and wild flowers, visitors gain insight to the challenges pioneer farmers faced as they broke and cultivated the Midwest fields and the beauty they found on the prairies as they established their homesteads.

Tour Information
The John Deere Historic Site is 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 is $3.00 for visitors age 12 and older. To arrange for a tour, please call 815/652-4551.

For Further Information Contact:

John Deere Historic Site
8334 S. Clinton St
Grand Detour Dixon, Illinois 61021
Telephone: 815/652-4551

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