Travelers from all over the world appreciate Union Hill attractions because of the unique charm you hardly find in the guides. I must admit that I came to Norton Township only a few years ago through the dusty Highway 50 to explore the small village that has been hiding between the fields of Kankakee County since the 1850s. The story here is a bit like an old family photo: a bit weathered, but full of surprising details – from the first German settlers who built the country to the railroad rails, which once formed the backbone of the trade and today are only in the field as rusty relics.
When I stroll through the main road, I feel like a curious neighbor who secretly listens to the history of his neighbors. The old wooden houses, which are still passed on from generation to generation, tell about hard winters and even harder neighbourhood disputes. And yes, the local diner I love serves the best pancakes throughout the county – a real secret tip that I pass on to everyone who finds the way here.
A small note for the arrival: The next Amtrak stop is located in Kankakee, from there a shaky bus departs to Union Hill, or you just take the car and follow the signs that sound more like “Landstraße” than “Tourist Magnet”. So, the next time you stumble on “Union Hill Sights”, you know that history, humor and a touch of rustic pride await you.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
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Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Union Hill, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first place I recommend for a spontaneous trip is that Kankakee River State Park, a huge green piece that extends along the river of the same name and is only about 20 km north of Union Hill. I spent a weekend with my old tent there, and the noise of the water is actually better than any playlist – no joke. The trails are well marked, the car park at the main entrance is usually free, except for the hot summer days when families come in with barbecue equipment. There are numerous fishing spots for anglers, and I even caught a small pike that almost persuaded me to the way back because he was so big that he almost tipped my boat.
A few miles further, towards the west, this is Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. I don't quite understand the hype around Bison, but watching these huge animals from safe distance has something calming, almost meditative. The visitor center is a bit remote, so plan enough time to find the parking space – it is not huge, but the sign is clear. The prairie itself is an open field that is transformed in summer into a sea of gold and blue when the wild flowers blossom. I made a picnic there and heard the quiet sum of the grills, which was almost louder than the occasional call of the Rangers.
Returning to Kankakee leads me Kankakee River State Trail, an asphalted path that sounds like a band through the city. I explored him by bicycle, and the best thing is that parking at the Trailhead is almost always a crumb – a small car park next to the entrance where I could park my bike while enjoying a coffee from the nearby diner. The path offers a constant view of the river, and in some places you can even observe a few canoes while paddling, which seem to have no hurry.
A short trip to the city centre of Kankakee is worthwhile for the architectural highlight: the imposing Kankakee County Courthouse. The massive sandstone construction with its clock tower is a real photo magnet, and I have stood there several times to admire the play of light and shadow. Parking is a bit tricky, because the roads around the courthouse are often blocked by vans, but a small side strip is usually enough when you get early enough. The interior is not open to the public, but the exterior alone is enough to feel the history of the region.
Directly next to the courthouse is the Kankakee County Museum, which is housed in a former administrative building. I saw an exhibition about the early settlers and the railways there, which reminded me of why I had moved here – the love of forgotten stories. The museum has no big parking, but parking on the street usually works as long as you don't come on Friday night when the students celebrate their graduation celebrations.
A little further east, on the edge of Momence, lies the historical Momence Canal, a relic from the time when the water was the most important transport routes. I took a quiet walk there while watching the old sluices that still work, though only sporadic. Parking is practically directly at the canal, a small parking lot that is usually empty, unless a local festival is in progress. The canal is a perfect place to shoot a few photos that do not look like "typical tourist cliché".
For those who prefer to relax with the ball on the green, there is the Kankakee River Golf Club. I played a couple of rounds there, and the special is the view of the river that changes every stroke. The clubhouse has a small parking lot, which is usually free as long as you do not arrive on Saturday morning – then it becomes a real patience sample. The place is not exaggerated pretentious, but the fairways are well maintained, and the staff is friendly, though slightly annoyed, if you are too long on 19. Hole linger.
If you're wondering what Union Hill sights really do, then the answer is a mix of nature, history and a bit of local nature that you just find when you're ready to drive a few kilometers and take a few parking spaces. Each of these places has its own charm, and I can assure you that they are all worth a visit – even if you just want to take a look around to shoot a good photo or catch some fresh air.
Whether it's adventurers, connoisseurs or culture lovers – in Union Hill, everyone finds something that makes him sneak. I have to confess, my first heart palp I got when entering the old Union Hill Schoolhouse, which today serves as a small museum. The crunchy wood, the faded panels and the rumour that once a teacher overwhelmed the class with a chalk explosion, give the place a charm that you hardly find in modern learning centers. If you accidentally search for a parking lot, be warned: On Saturday afternoons, the field in front of the school building is full of families who make picnics there – that is, they prefer to come early.
A short walk further Union Hill Cemeterya silent witness of the history of this little spot in the Middle West. The tombstones tell stories of pioneers who have planted their fields here, and of a few shattery characters whose descendants still visit the tomb with homemade cakes every year. I once met an old veteran who told me that his great-grandfather is buried here and that the tomb is still decorated with a hand-carved wooden bench – a real eye-catcher if you're looking for authentic nostalgia.
If you're looking for a place where you can exchange with locals, go to Union Hill Community Center. The building is not exactly an architectural miracle, but the weekly bingo ends and the monthly farmer market event make it a social magnet. I once met an old farmer who told me why his mash no longer tastes as sweet as before – a short excursion to the local agricultural science that is more fun than any lecture.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Union Hill Fire Department. Yes, you have read correctly – the fire department has a small museum that exhibits old extinguishing vehicles and equipment from the 1950s. I met a young fireman there, who proudly told me about his first rescue action, in which he accidentally opened the neighbor's garden gate. No joke, that was a real firefighting tail, but the story always makes for laughter.
For those who want a little green and fresh air, there is Union Hill Park. The park is small, but it has a baseball-diamond, a few play equipment and a small pond, where ducks paddle in front of themselves. I once made a picnic with my cousin who insisted that we feed the ducks – the result was a short but intense duck strike because we had forgotten to bring bread. Nevertheless, a nice place to let the soul dangle.
And yes, if you ask yourself what else you can see in Union Hill, look at them. Union Hill United Methodist Church on. The building is simple, but the community there is warm. I once participated in a Sunday worship service and was invited to a homemade apple cake after the service – a sweet proof that there is still a real neighborhood.
Finally, a short note for those looking for a compact overview: Union Hill Attractions can be explored on foot, because the village is so small that you hardly need a moment to get from one place to the next. And if you ask yourself where to park your bike – most of the places have an open field where you can just lean on your bike as long as you don't have a concert there on Saturday night, it will be a bit tight.
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