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Freeport is a flourishing city and capital of Stephenson County. It is situated in the midst of a rich agricultural region, and enjoys a lucrative trade. Its Railroad facilities for communication with all points of the compass are superior. It is the Western terminus of the Galena Division of the Chicago and North Western Railroad, distant from Chicago, 121 miles. By the Illinois Central, it is 67 miles east of Dubuque and 380 miles north of Cairo. By the Western Union Railroad, it is 118 miles south west of Milwaukee, and 94 from Rock Island. The first settlement was made in 1835. Stephenson County was organized and Freeport was made the County seat. In 1850, the town received a village charter, and in 1855 it was organized under a city charted Freeport, now contains about 10,000 inhabitants, and enjoys a large wholesale and retail trade. The manufactures, although in their infancy are numerous and important, among them may be enumerated one large reaper manufactory; several founderies (sic), 2 flouring mills, 5 wind mill manufactories, one woolen mill, one carpet factory, several breweries, 4 brick yards, 4 or 6 large carriage works, a cultivator manufactory and 2 earthern (sic) ware establishments. There is also here about 300 business establishments, which supply the wants of a large district of wealthy farmers. Freeport boasts a large number of fine public buildings, among which are the new Court House, erected at an expense of upwards of 100,000, and a Soldiers' Monument. The Wilcoxon Opera House, also large number of costly business blocks, and several fine school buildings. Contributed by Virginia Gorton Bonne - from Bailey's Freeport Directory, 1873-74, p16.