Kevin Rector
What makes Cabery Sights so special is the quiet way with which a tiny spot of land can negotiate history and present. I remember the first time I was in the late 1800s when the railroad ran through the prairie, drove over the dusty track and saw the small village that sneaked around the station of the same name – a relic from the time Cabery was still a mere stop for cattle dealers. Today, the town is cozy in the heart of Norton Township, Kankakee County, and you can feel that the world is slower here, although the highway is only a few minutes away.
I like to take the bus to Kankakee, because he leads me through fields that still bear witness to the original corn rows, and then I stop at the only gas station that seems to tell more stories than some city library. That's where the cashier's smile hits the bark of the old wooden bench, and I feel like I'm inhaling a piece of Cabery's unthinkable charm. For all those who want to experience the real Central Land, Cabery Sights offers a scenery that is neither exaggerated tourist nor completely forgotten – simply a place where you can almost hear the noise of the fields when you close your eyes.
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The first place I have to mention is that Kankakee River State Park, a piece of nature that spreads like a green cloth between the fields of Norton Township. I once made a picnic at the Lost Lake, while a few ducks harassed me with a look that said: “You are not welcome here, but you can stay.” The park is surprisingly well signposted, and parking is usually a Klacks – only on weekends when the families move with their strollers, it becomes a bit tight.
A short detour to the south leads you to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, one of the few places where you get the real prairie feeling without flying to Kansas. I don't quite understand the hype around Bison, but watching these huge animals from a safe distance was really great, especially when a young bull suddenly stared into the camera as if he had seen my Instagram story. The entrance is free, and the visitor center has enough seats to raise your legs if you need a break after a long hike.
If you prefer to sneak a story, that is Kankakee County Historical Museum a must in the city of the same name. There are old photos of Kankakee that remind you that this area was once an important railway node. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1920s – a real treasure when you are interested in rural life. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; On Saturdays, however, it can become full because the school classes still make excursions.
A bit further east is the Iroquois County Historical Museum in Watseka, which I almost missed because I thought it was just a small farm. Instead, a lovingly curated collection of agricultural equipment, old school benches and an impressive collection of veteran medals awaits you. I've seen an old tractor there that still snoops like the same – no joke that was part of a show where an older master explained how to start the part without modern technology.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, Kankakee River Trail an endlessly shining cycle path that winds along the river. I tried it on a sunny spring day, and the feeling when you drive over the wooden bridges and smooth the water is almost meditative. The trail is well maintained and you can stop everywhere to shoot a photo – especially at the point where the path leads over the old railway bridge, which still has the typical metal bar.
A short trip to Momence brings you Momence Historic Districtwhere the old brick building from the 19. Century still dominate the cityscape. I discovered a small café that serves the best pancakes in the area – a real secret tip that the locals only whisper. Parking is a bit tricky here because the streets are narrow, but a few free places you always find when you drive a bit around the corner.
Last but not least, if you feel that you need a bit more golf, then the Kankakee River Golf Club near a surprisingly quiet place. I have made a few debats there, while an older gentleman told me that the green here is “like a freshly mowed lawn in spring” – I laughed because that was probably the best praise I have ever received for a golf course. The club has a small parking lot, which is usually free except when the weekly tournament runs.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a little sporty change, the surroundings of Cabery offer more than enough fabric for a successful trip. This selection Cabery attractions shows that the surrounding area is anything but boring – and that without the usual tourist crowd.
This guide invites you to discover a small spot of Illinois, which hardly anyone marks on his map, but which gives me a whole universe of curious moments. I naturally start with what I personally consider to be the heart of Cabery: United Methodist Church, a brick building from the 1880s that knows more stories than most big city churches. As you enter, you can immediately feel the creeping echo of wooden benches – an acoustic relic that reminds me every time that not only services, but also village festivals, weddings and the one or other improvised rock concert took place. If you have a bit of time, sit on the small wooden bench in front of the altar, take a look at the artistically carved window and listen to the quiet sum of the grills placed over the field – a real one Cabery attractions-Moment you don't find in travel guides.
A short walk down the main road The Cabery Public Library. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a place that has hardly more than a few shelves and an old reading table has anything to offer at all. But the librarian, Mrs. Jensen, knows every villager by name and always has a book that fits exactly with your mood – from rustic romance novels to handwritten diaries of the first settlers. Parking is almost never a problem here, except when the annual “Corn Fest” blocks the road; then the parking becomes a small expedition, which one stands out with a smile, because the villagers always offer a piece of corn flask.
If you are looking for a place to represent the legs and at the same time inhale the real land life, then the Cabery Community Park That's right. The park is small, but it has an old playground, a picnic pavilion and a small pond where ducks lazyly turn their rounds. I remember a sunny afternoon when I hosted an improvised barbecue with my friend Tom there – the barbecue was a disaster because the only available grill was a rusty metal container, but the villagers came by with sausages, lemonade and a lot of good mood. The park is free, the only entrance fee is the smile that you give to the children when you help them swing.
Another must for anyone who really wants to understand Cabery is that Cabery Grain Elevator. This massive wooden and steel structure projects like a silent guard over the endless corn fields and is the landmark that you can see from a distance. I spent one day there because I thought a tour through the grain silos would be romantic – that was a mistake. The guide was rather a quick look behind the scenes, but the sound of the falling grains, the crunching of the wood and the light trembling of the building, when a wind blows through the openings, has given me a picture of the hard work of farmers, which I will not forget so quickly. Parking is best on the small field path behind the silo, where one does not run the risk of being passed over by a tractor.
For those who want to make a little story, there is Cabery Historical Society Museum. It is not a museum in the classical sense – rather a re-functional basement in the old town hall, filled with dusty photo albums, handwritten diaries and a collection of old tools. I found an old suitcase there that was supposed to belong to the founder of the city; that was a real find because he was still wearing a small sign: “For the future, not for the dust.” The exhibition is self-guided, so take your time to read the captions, and do not forget to ask the friendly volunteers at the reception if they can tell you the story of the old water tower – this is a highlight that is otherwise easily overlooked.
A short detour leads you to Cabery Cemetery, a quiet place where the graves stand in proper rows and tell the old tombstones of generations who have lived and worked here. I once discovered an old, semi-distorted tombstone, on which there was a true pioneer in the book “Here rests a real pioneer” – a hint that life here was not always made up of corn and tractors, but also of dreams and hard decisions. The cemetery is freely accessible, and parking is possible directly next to the small gate, which unfortunately is sometimes blocked by a lost chicken.
Last but not least, Cabery Fire Department not only a functioning fire department store, but also a small museum for old firefighters. I saw a bright, old extinguishing car from the 1950s that still shines as if he had just come out of the workshop. The firefighters are always ready to take a picture and tell a few anecdotes about the “big fires” – mostly it was just an overheated tractor or a campfire that burned too long. Parking is right in front of the building, and this is practical because you can then take a quick look at the old shield that announces the “Cabery Fire Department – Established 1903”.
All in all, Cabery is a place that does not lure with loud advertising boards, but with quiet but impressive impressions that you can best experience with an open mind and a portion of humor. Next time you drive through the rural Illinois, stop, breathe the scent of fresh corn and let yourself be of the small but fine Cabery attractions surprise – you will see that the true adventure often begins where the map ends.
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