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Detailed pages on related topics: DeKalb colleges • DeKalb travel • DeKalb mortgages and property.
Introduction to DeKalb, Illinois
Located about 65 miles west of Chicago is the Illinois city of DeKalb. Accessible to many points in the state via Interstates 88 or 39, DeKalb is also close to the cities of Rockford (40 miles to the northwest) and Aurora (30 miles to the east). Known as the “Barb City”, DeKalb is famous for being the birthplace of barbed wire, which was invented here by Joseph Glidden in 1873. The city is also home to Illinois’ second largest university, Northern Illinois University, which was founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1895.
The city of DeKalb shares the same name as the Illinois county in which it resides. They were named after General Baron Johan DeKalb, who came with Lafayette from France to serve in the Revolutionary War and fought in several battles leading the Maryland and Delaware Continentals. The exact reason why his name was chosen for this city is unclear, in light of the fact that there is no apparent link between the man and this region.
Founded in 1837, DeKalb saw its early growth and prosperity closely linked to the city's prominence in the barbed wire industry, which transformed the community from strictly an agricultural town to a major manufacturing center for the product. Another factor in the city's ongoing prosperity has been the presence of the University, which to this day provides a steady labor pool comprised of skilled and professional workers. DeKalb today is home to a variety of industries. As a leader in corn and soybean production, the county of DeKalb maintains its long tradition of being a center for agriculture. In addition, the city of DeKalb houses industries which include logistics, warehousing and distribution, electronics, biotechnology, and manufacturing of heavy equipment.
Arts and Entertainment in DeKalb
Rich in history, DeKalb offers its residents and visitors a variety of architectural and entertainment venues which showcase both the past and present. Perhaps the most notable of DeKalb's historic gems is the Ellwood House Museum. Built by barbed wire millionaire Isaac L. Ellwood in 1879, this grand Victorian mansion is operated as an historic house museum and is open for guided tours. Another historic site in the city is the famed Egyptian Theatre, a restored 1930s movie palace which also features some of the best Egyptian/Art Deco architecture in the country. The Stage Coach Theater, organized in 1946, is one of the oldest community theaters in the state. Other famous attractions include: the Gurler House, a beautiful example of the Greek Revival Style; the Harley-Davidson Museum, exhibiting over 65 antique and modern motorcycles; the J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center, honoring the inventor of barbed wire; the Blackwell History of Education Museum, a one-room schoolhouse with displays and programs available to the public; and the Altgeld Art Gallery, located at Northern Illinois University.
DeKalb also hosts community-wide celebrations, such as Corn Fest, a celebration of the city's agricultural heritage, which features live music, food, a marathon race, and activities for kids. Holiday festivals include downtown DeKalb’s Halloween Spooktacular and also Holly Days, an event which features horse-drawn carriage rides.
Collegiate sports are alive and well in DeKalb due to the presence of the Northern Illinois University Huskies. A Division-I member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since 1997, the Huskies football team has one MAC Conference Championship under its belt and has won eight championships from other conferences with which it had been affiliated previously. Fans of professional sports can take the roughly 30-minute drive to Chicago to catch some action, much of which is major league variety, featuring the following teams:
Comparing Dekalb to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Illinois (State):
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Detailed pages on related topics: DeKalb colleges • DeKalb travel • DeKalb mortgages and property.
 | DeKalb Colleges DeKalb colleges and trade schools. |
 | DeKalb Hotels & Travel DeKalb hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | DeKalb Mortgage DeKalb property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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