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Caleel Statue in Ottawa, Illinois

During the 1858 senatorial campaign, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas faced each other in a series of seven official political debates. The first debate took place in this north-central Illinois town on August 21. This sculpture commemorating the event was dedicated on September 14, 2002.

Fountains surround the heroic-sized grouping, which artist Rebecca Childers Caleel designed. It stands in the center of Washington Square Park near the site of the original debate platform. You can visit this bronze work on Route 23 North in downtown Ottawa.

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