Visit Kempton Ford Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the city of Kempton in Illinois: A small town with great history! Experience the old marketplace and the historic courthouse. Sample regional specialties such as the "Krautkuchen" or "Biergarten sausages". Nearby is the Abraham-Lincoln National Museum to explore the history of the famous president. Enjoy a wonderful weekend in Kempton!
What makes Kempton sights so special is the unique mix of dusty history and an almost nostalgic self-satisfaction that you can hardly describe differently, as a bit like an old tractor who is proud of a field, although he is no longer the latest model. I remember driving over the dusty streets of Mona Township for the first time, sneaking through the flat, but surprisingly fertile land of Ford County – a place that the railways in 1859 filled with a small depot and which has since pulsated more or less in the rhythm of the harvest cycles. The city itself grew around the old depot, and today it is possible to hear almost the echo of the steam locomotives, which once formed the backbone of the local economy, while passing on the US‐45.
If I take the train (or, to be honest, with the car I prefer to use because the trains are more of a relic here), you can immediately feel that people here are a little proud of not being overwhelmed by the hecticism of the metropolises. I have often wondered why some travelers from all over the world come here – perhaps because they want to experience the real middle country without the usual tourist crowd. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “small towns with charm” but the honest hospitality, the occasional smile on passing and the quiet sum of the combine give the whole a certain charm. So those looking for the authentic Illinois off the highways find a surprisingly quiet place in Kempton, which still has a little history to tell.
The history of Kempton begins long before the first highway sign that I have ever seen – it lies in the dusty fields that extend to the horizon, and in the few buildings that still cling to the early 1900s. I remember my first time when I was the little but surprisingly charming Kempton Historical Society Museum entered: a tiny room full of yellowed newspapers, a rusty tractor hood and a photo wall that tells more about the hard work of the villagers than any brochure. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small car park behind the museum turns into a battlefield of vans and tractors.
A short walk down the main road leads you to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, whose gothic windows in the summer create an almost cheesy light play. I once visited a Sunday worship service there – no joke, the church sings with an inbrunst, which is otherwise only found in the great cathedrals, and the pastor has a dry humour, which even brings the strictest visitors to the pulpit. If you ask yourself if you can take a picture here: yes, but please keep away from the benches, otherwise you will get a look from the oldest lady in the village, who will sample every visitor with an inspecting view.
An absolute must for those seeking the rural heartbeat experience is the Kempton Grain Elevator. This massive wooden and steel coloss stands over the fields like a silent guard. I made a picnic there once, while a tractor squealed and went through the whole scenery with the scent of hay and engine oil – a smell that you don't forget because it smells at the same time after work and freedom. Parking is practical here, because the field around the elevator is hardly driven, except when the harvest time begins and then the whole area becomes a labyrinth of trucks.
If you're looking for something green that doesn't just consist of corn, look at this Old Mill Park on. The small brook, which flows through the village, has more charm than one would expect, and the old mill, which has been standing since the 1800s, today serves as a meeting point for the local anglers. I met an old man there who told me that he caught fish here as a child, while his mother cooked dinner – a picture I will never forget because it is the perfect mix of nostalgia and real village community.
No visit to Kempton would be complete without a stop in Mona’s Diner, the only place where you get a real “Midwest-Burger” that does not come from a chain. The service is fast, the staff friendly, and the pommes are so crispy that you wonder why you've ever eaten in a big city. I once tried the "Kempton Special" there – a burger with bacon, cheddar and a secret sauce that I still can't decrypt. If you ask yourself if the place is overcrowded: usually not unless you are there on Friday night, then the little corner will quickly become a snake of hungry travelers.
Another highlight that I personally do not fully understand is the annual Kempton Fall Festival. The city turns for a weekend into a colorful drive from carousels, local crafts stands and a parade where everyone travels through the main road with a self-made car. I visited the festival once because I thought it was a bit cheesy, but the energy of the villagers surprised me – they celebrate as if there was no morning, and that makes the whole thing somehow authentic. Practically speaking, the festival grounds are right next to the parking lot of the community centre, so no stress to find your car.
I do not want to Kempton Railroad Depot forget that now serves as a small art gallery. The old tracks are still there, and the walls are decorated with works by local artists who capture rural life in colors and shapes. I once saw a painting showing a sunset over the corn fields – it was so realistic that I almost had the feeling of smelling the field. Access is free, and parking is right in front of the depot where you can park your car while enjoying the art.
If you now think that this is too much, don't let yourself be fooled – the Kempton Attractions are not only a bunch of old buildings, but a living network of stories, people and small moments that make the village what it is. And honestly, this is what I most appreciate in this place: the mix of honest work, a bit of peculiarity and the constant feeling that something real is to be discovered here if you look a little more closely.
The first stop I put to every visitor is that Ford County Historical Museum in Paxton – just a short 15 minute drive from Kempton. The building itself looks like a relic from another era, and the exhibitions tell the story of the prairie, which was once dominated by oxen and railways. I remember the day I accidentally stumbled into the old barn, which today serves as an exhibition space; the stick of the wooden floor was almost louder than the explanations of the guide. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come to the show of the local historians on Saturday night – then the small parking lot becomes a battlefield quickly.
A few streets, next to the museum, lies the Paxton Carnegie Library. This venerable 1905 building still exudes the charm of past times, although most visitors are only looking past today for free Wi-Fi. I once found a book about the history of the railway that tied me to the corner of the reading room for hours, while a storm sweeped over the prairie outside. The best thing: The library has a small reading room in the basement, where you can enjoy the tranquility of a coffee – a real secret tip if you want to escape the city's hustle and bustle.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the path continues to Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area. The river swells through wide fields and offers both lovers and nature lovers a piece of untouched wilderness. Once in the morning, I caught a huge rush there, just to release it again – a short but intense moment that reminded me that nature still has the say here. The visitor center has only a few parking spaces, so better to come early, otherwise you have to park at the edge of the field and take a short walk.
A short detour to the south brings you to Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park. The old transport channel, once connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi, is today a popular place for cyclists and hikers. I once met a group of historians who, in old-fashioned hats, played the history of the canal – a sight that was at the same time skurril and fascinating. The park has several well-signed trailheads, and parking is free at most entrances, except at the main entrance in the high season, where a small entrance is required for the use of the toilets.
A bit further east, almost on the edge of the city of Union, this is Illinois Railway Museum. Anyone who believes that railways only consist of rusty rails and squeaking brakes has never set foot here. The museum houses the largest collection of historical trains in the USA, and I lost myself there almost a whole day with the sound of steam locomotives and the smell of old lubricating oil. Admission is free, but donations are welcome – and parking is easy on the main grounds as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the whole family band.
Back near Kempton, but still not in the village centre, the Ford County Fairgrounds. The annual County Fair and various local events take place here. I once ate the famous “Corn Dog”, which is supposed to taste better than any fast food restaurant in Illinois – no joke, that was really a culinary highlight. The parking spaces are huge, but on the main days there can be a small chaos when the visitor numbers go into the thousands.
Another jewel I can't leave unnoticed is that Paxton Opera House. This small but fine theatre from the 1920s offers a varied program from local bands to classical opera performances. I was there at an Impro‐Comedy show that was so bad that it was good again – a perfect example of not always looking for perfection, but for authenticity. Parking is possible directly in front of the house, but only in limited numbers, i.e. better arrive early.
Whether you are a history fan, nature lover or just looking for an unusual photo motif – the surroundings of Kempton offer more than enough fabric to make your stay exciting. From museums to river banks to old opera halls there is something to discover here for everyone, and all this is just a cat jump from the actual Kempton Attractions removed.
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