The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home was constructed in Dixon, Illinois, in 1891; its design is fairly typical of American houses during the time period.

[2] In August 1980 a group of local residents, led by Lynn Knights of Dixon, Illinois, purchased the home.

[8] The two-storey house rests on a stone foundation and is topped with a gable roof which was originally covered with cedar shingles.

[2] For its association with Reagan and significance in the area of politics and government the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places[9] on March 26, 1982.

According to the National Register of Historic Places documentation, Ronald Reagan stated that the house was associated with important events of his childhood.

[2] However, his brother Neil was quoted as saying that the house designated the Boyhood Home is the "wrong one for Ronald's principal memories of the town (Dixon).