Oregon is one of the four finalists in the 2016 Small Town Showdown. Here are some reasons why this small town deserves your vote.

Nestled in the scenic Rock River Valley, surrounded by three state parks and a state forest, scenic Oregon, Illinois provides unlimited recreational and artistic opportunities for everyone.

From discoveroregonillinois.com

The drive to Oregon from Rockford on Highway 2 during the fall months, in my opinion, is the most beautiful drive in northern Illinois.

 

  • Enjoy Illinois via YouTube
    Enjoy Illinois via YouTube
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    1

    Black Hawk Statue

    Standing 5 stories tall at 125 feet above the river, the Black Hawk statue is believed to be the 2nd largest single concrete statue on Earth. It was designed by sculptor Lorado Taft, a friend of Frank Lloyd Wright, out of a single pour of concrete. (source: Enjoy Illinois)

  • EyesWideOpen, Getty Images
    EyesWideOpen, Getty Images
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    2

    Oregon was once named Florence

    In 1839 Oregon City was named Florence because of it's beauty and resemblance to the city in Italy. After 3 years, city leaders reverted back to Oregon and dropped the word 'city'. (source: Discover Oregon Illinois)

  • Ben Jacobson
    Ben Jacobson
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    3

    Oregon was once run by a gang called, 'The Prairie Bandits'

    From 1835-1841 Oregon was taken over by a gang of horse thieves, counterfeiters and murderers. John Driscoll & 'The Prairie Bandits' ruled by terrorizing residents and even burned down the courthouse in 1841, the night before it was to open. Their hope was to destroy records needed to prosecute their members who were jailed and awaiting trial. Eventually their leader, John Driscoll and his son William were captured, tried and executed in front of a 111-man firing squad. A granite stone marks the execution site just east of town. (source: Wikipedia)

  • Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
    Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
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    4

    Oregon was the home to 2 Illinois Governors

  • Popperfoto/Getty Images
    Popperfoto/Getty Images
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    5

    Olympic Gold Medalist Frank Loomis lived in Oregon

    Runner Frank Loomis transferred to Oregon High School in 1914. During the 1920 Olympic Games, Frank not only won the gold medal in the 400m hurdles, he also set a world record at that time. (source: Wikipedia)

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