The first debate took place in Ottawa.  Ottawa lies in the northern part of the state, wedged in between the Fox and Illinois rivers.  If you click this Google Map, you can see what it looks like today.  Looks pretty big, huh?  Back in 1858 about 7,000 people lived there.  In 2004, over 18,600 people lived in Ottawa.  It’s grown a bit.  However, think of this: at the debate, people estimate a crowd of between 10,000 and 20,000 people.  Now, if it was 20,000… whoa!  More people came to that debate on August 21, 1858 than lived in the city during 2004.  Crazy.

The major industries in the city today are glass manufacturing, auto part manufacturing, office equipment manufacturing, and plastics.  You can still go to visit Washington Park, where the debate took place.  There is a boulder with a plaque to commemorate the site.  It is located between Lafayette and LaSalle streets.

Crowds mobbed the city on the day of the debate.  They flocked to the debate site and crowded towards the speaking area.  It was intense: no seating, hardly any shade from the blazing sun, and heated political discussion.  Lincoln came to Ottawa on a train packed with supporters, arriving early and staying at the Mayor’s house!  Remember, Ottawa is way north, and very pro-Republican at the time.  Douglas rode into town on a horse drawn carriage and stayed at the local hotel.  At 2:30 in the afternoon both candidates were on stage and the famous debates had begun.

It is hard to imagine what that was like back then.  With the hot sun blazing and political tempers flaring.  You can only hope that they had some good food and drink, which I’m sure they did.  I would love some nice Alaskan salmon, covered in lemon and garlic… hmmm.

Below is a statue of Lincoln and Douglas located in Ottawa.