About
Amboy is a historic village in north central Illinois. Located in Lee County, twelve miles south of Dixon, Illinois, President Ronald Regan’s home town.
Amboy started out as an agricultural center and a railroad town. The Illinois Central Railroad attracted people, businesses, persons of different faiths from its very beginning in 1852 when they started buying land. It was briefly the home of the Mormon Settlement, the Green River Ordinance Plant and Carson Pirie Scott & Company. The only remnants of the Mormon Settlement is a cemetery on Rocky Ford Road and a historic marker on a building, the site of an important conference for the Church of Latter Day Saints in a building across the Depot. Abraham Lincoln stopped long enough in Amboy to get a haircut. He was the lawyer for Illinois Central Railroad. He also campaigned in Amboy and stayed overnight on his way to Freeport for one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
Today, the Depot Museum and Depot Days serve as a strong reminder of those hardy people, immigrants from Germany, Italy, and England. Amboy Depot Days is a celebration of our rich history and multicultural traditions. The Depot was built in 1876. In 1992, the Museum was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Incorporated in 1857, Amboy is richly and uniquely American and Midwest. Its fine churches, schools and parks, and safe environment make it an ideal retirement community as well as a wholesome place to bring up a family. The housing stock of different architectural styles is more than adequate. There is ample room for growth, new residential construction, the high-end kind. We want new businesses, we will aggressively seek new business, all the while honoring and appreciating those already here.
Our banks are friendly and helpful to those just starting out. We are proud of the modern KSB Medical Clinic and Sensient Technologies, a light manufacturing company; Maple Crossing Healthcare, Teen Turf, a youth center, The Amboy Pharmacy, Kaleel’s, a fine clothing store, Amboy Arts & Antiques, Twigs and Sprigs, T & T’s Corner, Check out our new grocery store Amboy Food & Liquor. New stores are The Iron Tree and Warehouse Boutique both with unique items. Also, the popular dinner places, The Longbranch Saloon, Depot Tap and Marias Pizza. New Dollar General opening spring 2018.
