William "Tutty" Baker, credited as the founder of Freeport, Illinois, built a trading post on the banks of the Pecatonica River. A generous man, Baker began operating a free ferry across the river and even invited travelers into his home for meals and lodging. According to one story, Freeport earned its name after Baker's wife asked him if his river port was a "Free Port", because of the number of people he didn't charge to ferry across the river. Lincoln-Douglas debates monument, near downtown Freeport. ... A trading post is a place where trading of goods takes place. ... The Pecatonica River is a tributary of the Rock River, approxiamtely 120 mi (193 km) long, in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois in the United States. ... The Pride of Rotterdam, One of the P&O Ferriess Flagships operating the Hull-Rotterdam Route A ferry is a boat or a ship carrying passengers, and sometimes their vehicles, on scheduled services. ...

Freeport celebrates the founder of the town with Tutty Baker days in the downtown area. Freeport no longer celebrates Tutty Baker Days as it was discovered that Baker was a slave owner.