Ottawa, Illinois, a rural community 70 miles Southwest of Metro Chicago, linked by Interstate highways I-80 and I-39 and nestled between the Fox and the mighty Illinois rivers is, to those of us that live and work here, a big place in terms of natural beauty, quality of life, and a close-knit community.

We also understand the challenges faced by any community, be it rural or urban, and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry together with the City, Ottawa Visitors Center and our residents are continually working together to address them.

Ottawa has a long and storied past, earning a reputation for hard work, growth and good living. Its beginnings are closely tied to the industrial and commercial development of the region. As early as 1823, settlers, trappers and traders moved into the area, trading with the native tribes living along the Illinois River. The name "Ottawa" comes from the Indian phrase "Awdawe," meaning - to trade.

By the 1850s, its population had grown to between 4,000 and 6,000. It attracted the first of a series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. By the turn of the century, Ottawa’s population had reached more than 10,500.
Today, Ottawa, "The Friendly City," treasures its heritage, preserving its historical buildings and homes while looking to the future with confidence.