What makes Emington's sights so special is the quiet way to whistle with the story here on every street corner as if it refused to be packed in loud tourist brochures. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time – a crunching relic from the 1880s, which once formed the backbone of Broughton Township and today serves more as a photo motif for Instagram aspirants. The city itself grew out of a small border post, which was founded in 1856, and has since seen more fields than skyscrapers; that's just my thing because I don't understand the hype about big city green, but the honest country life here is really great.
If you come from Chicago by car, follow the I‐55 South and take the exit to Pontiac, then a short stroller over the County Road 12 will take you directly to the heart of Emington. On the way you can see the vast corn fields of Livingston County, which shimmer like a golden sea in the summer – a sight that makes you almost forget that you are looking for a café. And right there, in an old wooden building, my favorite place awaits: a tiny diner, where the coffee is strong enough to rejoice after a long day on the road. I swear, this is the real Emington, not the cheesy souvenir shops you find in the guides.
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The first stop I put to each newcomer is the Pontiac Lake State, an 800 hectare green piece only about 12 miles northeast of Emington. I once organized a picnic with my neighbor, and while we complained about the weather, a swarm duck swoops past us completely unimpressed – a real reminder that nature has the say here. The lake is ideal for fishing, and boat docking is usually easy as long as you don't show up on Friday night after work, this will be a little adventure.
A short trip to Pontiac brings you to Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museumhidden in a renovated old car house. I don't understand the hype about the old road, but the collection of neon signs and old gas station coffee sauces is really fascinating. The museum is located in the heart of the city, so you can sneak a coffee in the neighboring diner – the staff there knows every visitor by name, at least until you say the word “coffee”.
Just a couple of blocks waiting Livingston County Historical Society Museum. Here I reopened my big aunt, who told me about the old barns that once dominated the landscape. The exhibition is a bit dusty, but it makes the charm; you almost feel like you're going through an old photo album. Parking is almost always free at the museum's outskirts, except when the annual historian meeting takes place – then you have to set yourself up on the street parking chaos.
If you'd rather find some urban flair, the Pontiac City Park with its impressive fountain and the extensive green areas a must. I once experienced a small concert of a local folk band that was almost as good as what I saw in Chicago – and that already says. The historic Livingston County Courthouse, a brick building from the 19th century, is located right next to it. Century that still serves as a courthouse. The park is free, and parking at the town hall is almost always easy as long as you are not there on Saturday morning with the whole family circus.
For nature lovers who prefer to wander off the main roads, this is Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area a real secret tip. I spent a weekend with my brother there, we rented canoes and enjoyed the quiet water surface while the sun went down over the fields. The area is huge, so plan enough time; the visitor center has only a small parking place kit, but this is not a problem when you arrive early.
A little further, about 30 miles south, this is Illinois Railway Museum in Union – the largest railway museum in the USA. I was there with my cousin, who was thrilled for old locomotives, and we have climbed around the restored trains for hours. The demonstrations with steam-powered locomotives are a highlight that should not be missed. The museum offers a spacious parking area that is not crowded even on hot summer days.
Finally, a short note on the Livingston County Fairgroundswhere the annual county fair spectacle takes place. For the first time in 2015, I've seen a cattle stab there – an experience you don't have every day. The fairgrounds are located directly on Highway 66, so the approach and departure is a children's game, and parking is usually sufficient as long as you are not there with the entire village at the same time.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a touch of retro-Americans, Emington's surroundings offer more than enough fabric for a varied trip. This selection Emington Attractions shows that the small village is a perfect starting point for explorers who want to experience the real Illinois off the tourist trails.
The story of Emington begins long before the first tractor, who ever drove over the dusty field roads – it is more in the smell of hay and the sound of a squeaking barn, which you only know from photos today. I remember as a child with my uncle through the old Emington United Methodist Church that with its sloping bell is almost a symbol for the whole city. The church is not only a place for Sunday worship services, but also an involuntary museum for hand-carved wood carvings, probably from someone who spent more time in the stable than in the art course. When you get in there, make sure that parking at the Kirchhof is usually free – except on Sundays when the entire municipality appears and you suddenly find a place between an old Ford and a folding tractor.
A short walk further Emington Public Librarya tiny building that has more bookshelves than seats. I once found a book about the history of the corn harvest, which has not been borrowed since 1972 – a real treasure for nostalgics. The librarian, Mrs. Hargrove, knows every villager by name and likes to comment on the latest Self-Help books she would never borrow. The best thing: you can use free Wi-Fi if you want to post your Instagram story about the village, although the WLAN here is more likely to have the speed of a snail.
If you are looking for something more “outdoor feeling” then the Emington Community Park That's right. The park is small, but it has a playground that looks like he survived the 80s, and a picnic area where you can spread your sandwiches while listening to the sound of barbecues – a sound that I personally call “summer in Illinois”. The parking lot is an open field behind the playground; on warm weekends he fills himself quickly, so be ready to walk a few meters to get a place.
Another must I look over again and again is the old Emington Grain Elevator. This massive silo shaft projects like a steel witness out of the landscape and reminds that the village was once an important hub for cereals. I once met a local historian who told me that the building has hardly been used since the 1950s, but is still the heart of many photos. You can round the terrain around the Silos, parking is right on the main road, but be warned: On Saturdays, when the village is held, the terrain becomes an improvised parking lot for trucks, and navigating becomes a small adventure.
A little off the hustle and bustle Emington Cemetery, a quiet place that tells more stories than any tourist brochure. The gravestones here are made of weathered stone and bear names that you might recognize in old family photos. I once met an old veteran who told me about his grandmother buried here, showing a light smile that expressed more about the connection of the villagers than any official monument. Parking is practically right at the entrance, and you don't need a special driver's license to stay here – just a little respect and a good sense of silence.
A short detour leads you to Emington Fire Departmenta small red building that is more than just a fire department store. The guys there have an old but well-preserved fire truck they proudly present at every village festival. I once asked a fireman why they never buy new equipment, and he replied dry: “We have enough to extinguish the fire, and too much to start it.” Parking is right in front of the door, and you can even take a look at the old alarm center that still works with a clobular lever.
I do not want to Emington Historical Museum forgot, located in the former town hall. The museum is a collection of old school books, maps and a collection of advertising signs from the 1920s. I found an old photo that shows the first mayor who poses with a wide grin in front of a horse car – a picture that reminds me every time how much the city has changed, although the main road is still the same. The museum has no fixed parking space, but a small courtyard behind the building is usually enough as long as you are not there on the first Saturday of the month when the village book club meeting takes place.
All this together Emington Attractions to a mixture of rustic charm and light cynicism that I personally find hardly anywhere else. So next time you drive over the Illinois road and see the sign “Welcome to Emington”, stop breathing in the scent of hay and history and let yourself be surprised by the small but fine corners – and don’t forget to bring some patience for parking, this is almost a local custom.
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