Downtown Freeport Historic Walking Tour
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Description
Feast your eyes on the architectural details from buildings over 100 years old as you step back in time and tour scenic downtown Freeport at your own pace.
1. The Pink Palace
Towering over Main Street in downtown Freeport, the Pink Palace meshes rich history with modern whimsy. From food and beverage to retail and convenience, the four-story building has seen numerous businesses and countless occupants for over 125 years.Over time, the building grew progressively weathered and gradually one floor after the next became uninhabited and sat abandoned for decades. In 2018, a young couple native to Freeport purchased the building and set out to restore what once was. Since then, the Pink Palace has begun its transformation. Currently, the owners are finishing up the first floor which will house a showroom for Honeychurch - a home goods and furnishings shop. (On Instagram + Etsy: @honeychurchshop)
2. 14 W Stephenson St / Number 1 Martin's Block
Number 1 Martin's Block, originally built in 1854, is the oldest building documented in Downtown Freeport that is still standing. It is the only remaining part of what was known as Martin's block which was a larger 60 foot wide by 60 feet long, three story brick building erected by Martin and Karcher. It is one of the few downtown buildings that maintained use of the upper floors throughout it's history. In the late 1850s or early 1860s when street names began to be in use the address was known as 108 Stephenson St. When the city renumbered streets in about 1921 it was then known as 14 W Stephenson St.It is currently home to Wall of Yarn, a local yarn store, at 14 W Stephenson St and Exchange Street Printery at 15 W Exchange St.
3. The C.H. Little Building
The C.H. Little Building is the former home of C.H. Little & Company, one of the original businesses of Freeport’s downtown, and what may be the longest continuously operating gift shop in Illinois. The original business was established in the mid-1850s, while the building became home to Little's business shortly after the Civil War.
4. The Lindo Theatre
This historic theater was built in the early 1920s and named "Lindo" to recognize the debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas which occurred a few blocks north of this location on August 27, 1858. The historic building has been remodeled many times, but has always been a theatre and recent remodels have sought to restore some of the historic architecture while also supporting modern technology and supporting accessibility. The Lindo is the last remaining theatre in Freeport, but was once one of many owned by John Dittman.
