As early as 1828, a French and Indian half-breed named Ogee built a cabin on the present site of Dixon and estab- lished a ferry. In 1830, John Dixon, from whom the city takes its name, purchased Ogee’s claim and interest in the ferry and settled here with his family. Hostilities and confrontations with the white settlers from Black Hawk and his followers turned Dixon’s Ferry into a major military encampment.

In 1845 an act was passed in the State Legislature for the incorporation of the Dixon Dam and Bridge Company for the erection of a toll bridge and a “good and sufficient dam across the Rock River.” The original five-foot high and 700 foot long dam was built with wood and stone materials. Through the years and continual repair and improvement, the dam supplied power for the area, including several mills.

Info-source: www.leecountyhistory.com For emergencies dial 911.

In 1836 Col. Nathan Whitney purchased a 28 acre tract of timber. Soon other families settled near the grove, many from the Germantown, PA area. A small business district area, named Chaplain, grew around the first cabin and soon a post office was established. Mail was brought in once a week by Whitney. He was paid by a share of the postage collected. His first quarter of the year earnings was 37 cents.

Info-source: www.leecountyhistory.com

Steward was named for Wesley Steward who in 1855 came to this area to settle the land owned by his father, Marcus. Marcus Steward was influential in getting the Burlington Northern Railroad through the township in 1870.

The Village Hall on Main Street is one of the oldest buildings and houses the jail cells bought in 1903. The first house in Steward is also standing today, built in 1872, as well as the 1874 Methodist New England architectural style church.

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