De Pue, IL

DePue is a quiet village in Bureau County, sitting right along Lake DePue and the backwaters of the Illinois River. The community got its start in the 1850s around a busy steamboat landing, with early residents making their living off the water through commercial fishing, ice harvesting, and grain shipping. Today, you will find a peaceful riverfront town where daily routines move at an unhurried pace and the water remains central to the scenery.

During the twentieth century, the village expanded into an industrial center anchored by a massive zinc processing plant that brought generations of workers to the area. While heavy manufacturing has long since closed, the town stays closely tied to the outdoors. The Donnelley-DePue State Fish and Wildlife Area provides miles of wetlands for fishing, hunting, and birdwatching, and Lake DePue draws boat racing fans from all over the country for its annual outboard motorboat championships. It is a friendly, scenic spot with deep historical roots and a strong local community.