Oregon sits along the Rock River in northern Illinois and combines small-town charm with rich natural and cultural resources. The land preserves ties to Potawatomi and Winnebago peoples, and public art and interpretive signage honor Indigenous history. The town became an arts center after Lorado Taft founded the Eagle's Nest Art Colony, attracting artists, writers, and thinkers. Galleries, museums, and public art remain prominent. Popular attractions include the Eagle's Nest Gallery, Coliseum Museum, Ogle County Historical Society, and the Ukulele Station. The town is walkable, bike-friendly, reachable by a scenic two-hour drive from Chicago, and offers outdoor recreation opportunities.
Founded in the early 1830s, the town initially served as a key river port. Long before that, the land was home to the Potawatomi and Winnebago tribes, whose connection to the area can still be felt. Public art installations and interpretive signage across the town honor its Indigenous history and serve as a quiet tribute to the region's first peoples.
In the early 20th century, the town became a hotspot for Midwestern creatives when sculptor and writer Lorado Taft moved to the town and founded the Eagle's Nest Art Colony just north of town. The community soon attracted artists, authors, and thinkers from across the country, who were drawn to the natural beauty of the area's rolling bluffs and woodlands. Today, you can still find plenty of galleries, museums, and public art throughout town,
Collection
[
|
...
]