Fulton, Illinois Homes For Sale & Real Estate

The history of Fulton dates back to 1835 when its founder, John Baker, arrived and settled the town. The city is named after Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat. A windmill was constructed in the year 2000 to honor the Dutch settlers that originally settled in the area. The city is the birthplace of many famous people including scientist John R. Huizenga who contributed to the Manhattan Project; Ronald Reagan’s mother and father; and Paul Rhymer, the creator, and writer of the Vic and Sade radio show. Fulton was also an active part of the Underground Railroad efforts, where residents helped hide many former slaves.

The Windmill: Called De Immigrant, this fully functional windmill stands nearly 100 feet tall in the center of town. It was built in the Netherlands and shipped piece by piece to the United States for assembly by Dutch millwrights. Visitors can experience this authentic windmill for free.

Heritage Canyon: Along this 12-acre wooded walk, visitors are transported back to the 1800s. Up until 1954, the canyon was a limestone quarry. It was shut down because of the dynamite damage to the community and the river. A general eyesore for Fulton for many years, it became privately-owned in 1967 and the couple Harold and Thelma Wierenga turned it into the walking history that it is today. They carefully added each building working hard not to disturb the natural surroundings. When they were done, there was a schoolhouse, a doctors office, a log cabin settlement, a blacksmith shop, a church and much more. In 1999, Harold passed and the canyon was given to the city to run and operate. Visitors still walk through the village to this day.

Windmill Cultural Center (WCC): The center is home to 22 windmill replicas, which range in size, but are up to six feet tall. They are from ten European countries including Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and The Netherlands. The collection was designed by windmill enthusiasts Henk and June Hielema of DeMotte, Indiana. There is also a lovely gift shop attached to the center.

Andresen Nature Center: Located next to Heritage Canyon, the nature center displays wildlife and plants from the Mississippi watershed to encourage appreciation of the area’s natural resources.

• City of Fulton
• Dutch Days
• Windmill Cultural Center (WCC)
• Heritage Canyon
• Andresen Nature Center