Speeding Ticket in Reagan’s Hometown Unlocks America’s Presidential Legacy

A family road trip from Chicago to St. Louis took an unexpected detour when a flashing police siren pulled me over. A young officer, hands trembling, handed me a speeding ticket for driving 65 mph in a 45 mph construction zone in Dixon, Illinois—Ronald Reagan’s hometown. What felt like a speed trap turned into a journey of discovery.

Protesting the ticket was futile; I had to appear in court, but living in California made that tricky. A call to Dixon’s city hall secured a next-day hearing, meaning an impromptu night in Reagan’s backyard. My wife, four daughters, and I checked into a Holiday Inn, grabbed pizza, and set out to explore.

First stop: the Rock River, where Reagan, as a lifeguard, saved 77 lives. We searched for the legendary log he notched for each rescue but found only the river’s serene banks. My kids played, and I reflected on Reagan’s grit. Next, we visited his childhood home on Hennepin Avenue, a modest white house. Standing in the kitchen, I imagined Reagan’s mother, Nelle, cooking while young Ron studied. I bought a stapled stack of her poems, a humble keepsake.

The next morning, I faced the judge with my public defender’s warning ringing: plead guilty or risk jail. I tried showing a video proving 45 mph was unreasonably slow—cars honked, one driver flipped me off—but the judge wasn’t interested. “Guilty,” I said, paying a $500 fine. The clerk’s smile hinted this was Dixon’s revenue stream; I was the 19th case that day.

Back in California, my Aunt Jeanne covered the fine, easing the sting. More importantly, Dixon revealed Reagan’s roots—his courage, faith, and small-town values. Call it a Divine Plan, but that ticket led me to understand a president I thought I already knew.