Visit Buckingham Kankakee Illinois and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Buckingham in the US state of Illinois! Experience the famous Buckingham Fountain and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Enjoy traditional dishes in local restaurants such as Buckingham Grill. An unforgettable experience for all ages!
What makes Buckingham sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here snoring at every street corner, while I torture myself through the village. I felt the first time in the 1800s when brave pioneers opened the country of Norton Township in Kankakee County and named the little town after an English model – a bit of pride, a bit of confusion, because no one knows why exactly “Buckingham” was chosen. On the first steps through the main road you can immediately feel that the old brick houses tell more than any brochure: here people have buried their roots deep in the corn fields and the railway rails, which once formed the backbone of the trade.
I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about the annual harvesting ceremony, but the easy joining at the marketplace, where neighbors still run their self-pressed apple juices, is really great. If you come by car from Chicago, take the I‐57 and then turn Highway 115 – this is the fastest way to reach the village without getting into endless traffic. As soon as you cross the small bridge over the Kankakee River, you will notice that the calm water striker is almost therapeutic, while the fields in the background paint a picture that you only know from postcards.
For those looking for a bit of authenticity, Buckingham offers a backdrop that does not seem excessively touristic or totally forgotten. I discovered a café that has more charm than some big city oasis, and the staff serves coffee with an eye-catcher, which says: “Welcome in the heart of Illinois, where the pace is slower, but the stories are louder. ‘
This guide invites you to discover the hidden corners of Buckingham, and I promise you that you will find more charm than in some big city jungle – if you don't confuse the charm with glitter.
Quite the front, almost like a bad preface to a Hollywood blockbuster, this is Buckingham Bridge. This crunching iron construct from 1905 spans over the Fox River and looks like it just got the final touch from a revised historian. I made a picnic there in the summer, while a fisherman, besides me, swarmed loudly about the “good old time” – no joke, he even had an old fishing hat from the 60s. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem, because then the whole county goes on a bridge tour.
A short trip from the bridge roof leads you to Buckingham Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery, but not some – here are the founders of the city, whose gravestones tell more stories than some Instagram stories. I once met an old veteran who told me that his great-grandfather is buried here and that the “crawling” flair is just an excuse for the best autumn walks. The paths are well maintained, and the noise of the river in the background makes the teeth almost bearable.
If you ask yourself where you can sneak a bit of culture in a tiny place, look into the Buckingham School. The former one-room school house is now a mini-museum that has more dust than visitors, but for that there are plenty of original boards and an old globe that is still slightly inclined. I got a lead that was led by a retired teacher who had more anecdotes about the “Gum Burning” in the breaks when I can count throughout my life. Admission is free because the money is used only for receiving the old wooden bench.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Buckingham Grain Elevator. This massive grain storage building dominates the skyline and reminds that not only dreams, but also corn and soybeans grow here. I once stood with a local farmer in front of the elevator while he told me that the sound of the grinder sounds almost like a soothing snoring – a soundtrack for everyone who has enough of city noise. Parking directly at the warehouse is a bit of an adventure because the trucks are constantly driving in and out, but this is part of the charm.
For those who prefer to keep their legs moving, the Fox River Trail a well-developed path that leads directly past Buckingham. I have made my morning jogging round there, seeing more ducks than people – a good sign that nature has not yet been completely overrun by selfie sticks. The trail is wide enough to accommodate cyclists as well as walkers, and the few signs kindly remind you not to shoot the ducks.
A small but fine place I like to mention is that Buckingham Community Center. Here the locals meet to bingo graduates, handwork circles and occasionally to an improvised jazz quartet that plays more of passion than talent. I was there on a Friday when an older couple presented a cake of carrots and too much cinnamon – a real treat that instantly brightened the mood. The center is easy to find because it is the only building with a flashing shield that shows “OPEN” even when the door is closed.
If you now think that Buckingham only consists of old bridges and cemeteries, then you have the Buckingham Attractions not yet fully explored. Each of these places has its own, slightly slanted character, and together they create a mosaic that has more personality than some big city part. So, grab a bike, a good piece of cheese and get on the way – I promise you will know more about the true life at the end of the day than you would have ever thought possible.
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