About Amboy, Illinois

A message from our Mayor:

Amboy is located near the center of Lee County, and is surrounded by some of the richest farmland in Illinois.

Slow growth has been a key to Amboy's survival.  we recently annexed about 400 acres into the city limits for the development of an industrial park and additional retail businesses.  Our infrastructure is in very good shape to accept new business.  Our new, one million gallon water facility will be put into service in mid-November of 2007.

Since the early 1970's, campers have come to call Amboy their second home.  With many campgrounds surrounding Amboy, it is not uncommon to have 20,000 to 50,000 people within a 5-mile radius of Amboy on any given weekend during the summer.

When the railroad left Amboy, the city purchased the depot building and also recently acquired the freight house.  The city appointed a depot commission and, 17 years ago, they started Depot Days to raise funds to refurbish the depot.  Today, the depot is nearly complete.  The freight house nearly has been restored, along with a one-room schoolhouse that has been recently completed.

Please visit our Depot Museum, take photos on our steam engine and caboose.  Visit the drugstore with the old soda fountain while on your way to the antique store.  Travel the brick street to the city park, and see the wood carvings, then finish the day with fine dining in one of the local pubs.

Mayor Frank Mekeel

City of Amboy, IL

The city of Amboy is located in Lee County, IL.  The county seat is Dixon, IL.  Amboy was chartered in 1854, and was intended to be the next Mormon headquarters after the murder of their leader, Joseph Smith, in Carthage, IL.  

A memorial stone at the Depot Museum shows where Abraham Lincoln once made a speech while on his way to one of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates in Freeport, IL.  

At one time time, the Illinois Central Railroad had their division headquarters here.  Amboy is the home of the first Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. Store.  It was located in what is now the Long Branch Saloon. 

Amboy has had its share of famous and infamous characters over the years, which gives it an interesting history.  It is a warm farming community, where neighbors care about each other.  

There are 4 churches - Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, and the United First Church.

We have a medical clinic at the north edge of the city.  We have one grocery store, several gas stations, a lumberyard, weekly newspaper, one bank, one savings and loan, plus fine eating places.  

You won't want to miss visiting the old fashion soda fountain, located in the Amboy Pharmacy.

Please let us know how we can help you, by calling (815)857-3814.

Darlene Hinkle, City Clerk