What makes the Bradley sights so special is the inconspicuous mix of historical reverence and modern everyday suspicion that I feel every time I walk along the old railroad track that once formed the backbone of the city. Bradley was founded in the 1850s, named after the railway director Samuel Bradley, and, thanks to the proximity to the Kankakee-River-Railroad, grew into a small but proud hub in the Bourbonnais Township. I have to admit, I don’t understand the whole hype about “small city charms”, but the well-preserved brick buildings from the founding period give the place an authentic flair that you rarely find in the crowded suburbs.
When you arrive by car, follow the I‐57 until exit 306 and then a few minutes on the US‐45 – this is done faster than you can say “Transport”. For those who prefer to come by train, the Amtrak train stops in Kankakee, from there a short taxi ride, and you are in the heart of Bradley. I enjoy sitting in one of the local diners after a short walk through the main street, where breakfast is almost as solid as the story written here. And yes, if you ask where to find the best Bradley sights, just look out the bus window – the city can best be discovered by its everyday details.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was Kankakee River State Park, a piece of nature that lies like a green lobe over the river curve. I came there on a lukewarm Saturday afternoon when the families with picnic blankets and the joggers populated the paths with headphones – a picture I almost already know from a guide, but here it seems somehow real. The main path leads directly to the river where you can observe a few ducks at the Schnattern if you are lucky. Parking is usually easy, except for the weekend, as it becomes a real problem because the visitor numbers suddenly shoot up. I grabbed a piece of the wooden ridge and just listened to the noise for a few minutes – that's what I love in this place: the possibility of forgetting everyday noise without having to hit a tent for it.
A short detour to the north brought me to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a huge piece of untouched prairie, which extends over several hundred hectares. There are no cafes, no souvenir shops, only the sum of bees and the occasional rustling of a chicken hidden in the high grasses. I remember doing a guided tour with a local Ranger; he told me that the area was once inhabited by the Potawatomi and today is an important habitat for the threatened Karolinenkröte. The path is well marked, and parking is a Klack at the visitor center – a few empty places that you can easily find when you don't get too late. I spent a few hours there because I just couldn't get enough of the wide golden landscape.
Back near Bradley, but not in the city center, this is Kankakee County Historical Museum. I must admit that I did not find the first impression of dusty exhibition spaces particularly exciting until I saw the old railway locomotive from the 1900s standing there. The museum is a bit like a dusty family album – one leaves through the history of the region, from the early settlers to the modern industries. It is practical that parking right in front of the building is free, and the café next door serves the best homemade apple cake I haven't eaten for a long time. I spent a few hours there, because I deepened myself in the stories of the old peasant families who once worked the country here.
A little further south, almost on the edge of the city, this is Bourbonnais Museum, a small but fine house that presents the local history with a pinch of peculiarity. I was there because I had heard from a friend that the museum has a collection of old school books from the 1920s – and that was actually a highlight. The exhibition is not great, but the passion of curators is noticeable; they tell every visitor the feeling as if they were to scroll through an old diary. Parking is a bit tricky, because there is only a small parking lot behind the building, but that's no reason not to look by when you're in the area anyway.
Another jewel I could not leave is the Kankakee River Trail. The path stretches along the river and offers a varied experience for cyclists and hikers. I borrowed an old mountain bike and drove a piece of the trail while I saw the sun glistening over the water. The trail is well maintained and there are several entrances with free parking, with most visitors the main access point at Riverfront Park use. I spent a few hours there, because I just couldn't get enough of the fresh air and the light noise of the river.
A short trip after St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Bourbonnais, a historical building from the late 19th century Century, has shown me that the architecture has more to offer here than just modern suburban houses. The church is a real jewel with artistic stained glass windows that break the light in warm colors. I have seen a small concert that was performed by a local youth group – a surprisingly good example of how culture and history come together here. Parking is right in front of the church, but only a few places, so better get early if you want to secure a good place.
If you're wondering what's going on in the area of Bradley, Bourbonnais Township, Kankakee, then let the Bradley Sights surprise – from wide prerias to historical museums to relaxed river promenades, all of which have their own charm and make life a bit more lively here.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous, but self-willing Bradley – yes, just the little town you would easily overlook if you don’t accidentally drive along Highway 1 and suddenly discover a sign with “Welcome to Bradley”.
I must confess at the beginning that my heart for the Bradley City Hall not because the building is particularly architecturally impressive – a simple brick building with a slightly sloping shield that announces “City Hall” – but because I first caught the mayor in the front garden when grilling. He was about to turn his legendary BBQ ridges while some curious teenagers danced around the parking lot. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Friday night, then the field in front of the town hall becomes the battlefield around the last free pitches.
A short walk further leads you to Bradley Public Library. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because I cuddled into the corner with the local history books and almost missed the sound of the squeaking door when a small boy with a remotely controlled car ran through the corridors. The library is not only a place to read, but also the unofficial center for the weekly board game tournament – an event I never missed, because I could finally demonstrate my outstanding ability in the “Catan”.
If you are looking for a place to let the soul budge, the Bradley City Park That's right. The park is small, but it has a small lake that is populated in the summer by ducks who seem to know more about life than most visitors. I remember a sunny afternoon when I had a picnic with a friend and suddenly a swarm geese decided to “prove our sandwich”. This was annoying, but the geese at least didn't waste the food – a real bonus for the environment.
Another highlight I always mention is that Bradley Community Center. Here you will find not only the gym that makes more noise than an airport, but also the weekly yoga classes where the instructor tries to turn the participants into the “cobra”, while at the same time talking about the latest city development plans. I accidentally entered the room for the senior course there and was promptly greeted by a group of 80-year-olds who told me that the true secret of a healthy life is to drink at least three cups of coffee every day.
For those who want to sniff a little nostalgia, there is Bradley Fire Department Museum. The museum is a collection of old fire brigades, rusty helmets and a crunchy, but still functional old extinguishing vehicle from the 1950s. I made a tour there with the former fire brigade chief who told me that the biggest fire they've ever extinguished was a barbecue evening where a grill was overheated too much. No joke – that was a real inferno that could only be extinguished thanks to a brave fireman who poured a bucket of water over the fire.
A short detour to Bradley Farmers Market (which only takes place on Saturdays) is a must if you want to taste fresh products from the region. I have eaten the best corn bread of my life, baked by an older lady named Marge, who claims that the recipe has been unchanged since 1923. The market is small, but the atmosphere is warm – as long as you don't try to get the last peach when the crowd suddenly comes from all directions.
And because I can't forget that I'm here about Bradley Sights I have to Bradley Skate Park mention. The park is a little slanted, with a few ramps that remember more of an art project than a real skate facility. I once tried to show some tricks there, just to realize that my balance is more like a drunk flamingo. Nevertheless, it is a great place to watch the youth of Bradley who live the area with loud music and even louder laughs.
At the end of the day, when the sun goes down over the fields of Kankakee and the quiet sum of the city becomes a soothing background, I often find myself again at the edge of the park, where I think about the small peculiarities of Bradley. It's not Paris, not New York, but that's exactly what makes the charm – a place where you can feel the real, slightly slanted life without a tourist crowd tearing the silence.
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