John Deere Historic Site, Dixon

John Deere established his homestead on this site, and built his first \"self-polishing\" steel plow here. The new plow allowed the pioneers to till the sticky and moist prairie land. Visitors to the Historic Site will see the archeological site, with many of the artifacts actually found on the site; a blacksmith shop; John Deere's home which is authentically furnished with actual household objects that show how pioneers cooked, cleaned, bathed, and spent leisure hours; a visitor's center depicting the life of John Deere, the opening of the prairie, and the development of his plow; a gift shop; and a natural prairie as it existed over a century ago.