What makes Dwight sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here snoring at every street corner, while I snore through the main street with my coffee. The town of Dwight, founded in 1854, grew from a small railway hub, which at that time formed the backbone of agricultural expansion in the heart of Livingston County. I feel that the old brick buildings in the centre – a relic of the time when steam locomotives still dominated the cityscape – tell more than any museum I have ever visited. Whoever comes from Chicago by car simply follows I‐55 to the south and then bends to US‐24; the ride is a short but refreshing outbreak from the big city jungle, and suddenly Dwight is in front of a well kept secret.
I have to admit that I cannot always understand the hype about the “small cities with charm” but here there is something authentic: the people who still order their fields and talk about the harvest in the evening in the local diner while watching the sunset over the wide prerie fields. So if you are looking for a place that is not overwhelmed by tourist streams, then Dwight is just the right place where Dwight sights are not loudly proclaimed, but quietly experienced.
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The first stop I put to every visitor is that Route‐66‐Hall‐of‐Fame Museum in Pontiac – only about 20 km from Dwight, i.e. a cat jump when you calculate the usual road traffic. There are old engine types and neon signs hanging on the walls that give you the feeling that you landed in a movie from the 50s. I once tried to make a selfie with an original 1957 forum; the car was so well received that I almost thought it could suddenly start. Parking is almost always a Klack, except on Sundays, when the local Old Timer clubs flood the terrain – then parking becomes a small adventure.
Only a bit further north, in the illustrative Union, is this Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in the USA. I spent more than five hours there, because I couldn't decide whether to visit the old steam locomotive “Wabash Cannonball” or test the restored Intercity cars. The museum is a paradise for technology-nerds, but also for people who simply enjoy the squeaking of brakes and the whistling of train horns. The entrance is free, parking is always available at the main building, and the staff is so friendly that they even offer a piece of cake from the canteen – no joke, that actually happened.
A short trip back to Pontiac leads to Livingston County Historical Museum. Here the history of the county is presented with a mixture of original artifacts and interactive displays. I remember playing around as a child in the “Living History Farm” with an old plough, while an older gentleman told me that this was the backbone of the local economy. The museum is located next to the historic railway station, so you can easily walk to the railway station after your visit – this saves the annoying ride back and forth.
For those who prefer water and green, is Pontiac Lake a real secret tip. The lake is just about 15 km east of Dwight and offers both fishing and a small beach area. I once organized a picnic with friends; the weather was perfect, and we enjoyed the fact that the water is so clear that you can almost see the foundation of the old boat dock. Parking at the main entrance is free, but it can be filled quickly on hot summer days – an early arrival is therefore worth it.
A little further east, near LaSalle, the I-M Canal Trail through the landscape. The old transport channel, which once transported goods between Chicago and the Mississippi, is today a popular cycling and hiking trail. I once made a half day hike there while I tried to count the many historical sluices – I arrived at seven, but that was enough to realize that the story is really tangible here. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the access points is usually easy, except for weekends when local groups take over the field.
Another natural jewel that I have to put to everyone is the Kankakee River State Parkabout 30 km north of Dwight. The river is wide and quiet, ideal for canoeing, and the surrounding meadows offer rare prairie flowers. I once rented a kayak and enjoyed silence for hours until a curious duck boy suddenly criticized my paddle technique – a moment I will never forget. Parking is free at the main entrance, but the parking lot fills up quickly when the weather is good, so be there early.
Back in the city itself, but not in the center, lies the historical Pontiac Train Depot. The old depot from 1900 is an architectural gem that today serves as a museum and venue. I once participated in a small exhibition on the history of the railways, where a former guide from his youth told me – that was a real look behind the scenes. The depot has a small parking space right in front of the door, which is usually free as long as there is no train from the past.
Last but not least, a place that is easily overlooked, but that is a real meeting place for locals: Livingston County Fairgrounds. This is where fairs, exhibitions and the annual County Fair take place all year round. I visited a local crafts market where an old carpenter showed me how to carve a chair from a piece of wood – that was almost therapeutic. Parking is generous at the main entrance, but on the big days of the event, there can be a little chaos, so bring some patience.
If you are looking for a short trip from Dwight, you will find a colourful mix of history, nature and local culture – all without long journeys. The places mentioned show that the environment of Dwight has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. Next time you plan your itinerary, don't forget the Dwight Attractions Add to your list – they are definitely worth it.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the inconspicuous heart of Illinois, where I discovered my favorite places in Dwight – and yes, I confess, I have a bit of cynicism in my luggage, because most guides here just sell the field way feeling.
For me, the Dwight Historical Museum, which is housed in the old railway depot. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the exhibitions from local rail vehicles to old agricultural machinery are almost a mini-time course. The scent of old wood and the quiet click of the old signalling systems make you almost forget that you are standing in a tiny little town that has hardly more than a few hundred inhabitants. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because the annual “Railroad Festival” blocks the road.
A short walk (or a short sprint if you don't want to miss the train) leads to Dwight Amtrak Station. I don't quite understand the hype for train trips, but here the track is a meeting point for locals who take their daily shuttles to Chicago. The platform has a small waiting room that looks like it had designed a 1950s designer for an advertising poster – practical if you are in the rain, but also a perfect place to watch people at the “good-mountain-wind”.
If you want to escape from the city centre, the path leads to Dwight Community Park. The park is not just a national park, but the small pond, which is populated by ducks in the summer, and the old wooden bench, which I use repeatedly as a seat for my lunch break, have something tranquil. I once made a picnic with a friend, while an older couple spoke loudly about the best corn flask recipes – a real midwest experience.
A short detour to Dwight Public Library is worth it because the building itself is a piece of history. The library not only has a cozy reading room ambience, but also a small archive with old newspapers that I secretly browsed to learn more about the founding time of Dwight. The staff is friendly, but slightly annoyed when you ask for the latest bestsellers – here you prefer to read local history books, no wonder that the shelves are full of “dwight-chronics”.
For those who believe that a small place cannot offer sports activities, there is Dwight Golf Club. The 9-hole course is not exactly a PGA tournament terrain, but the gentle hills and the occasional “Plopp” of a lost ball in the bunkers give you the feeling of being part of an exclusive, though slightly slanted, golf community. I once played a game with a local peasant who told me that the green is better after the rain – a hint I will never forget.
Another, often overlooked landmark is the Dwight Water Tower. This rusty colossus protrudes over the main road and is the symbol for me that even the smallest city can have a bit of pride. I took a photo there while a delivery truck full of corn grains passed – a picture I would later call “typical Dwight”.
Between all this there is still Dwight Grain Elevator, an old brick building, which today serves as a museum for agricultural equipment. I saw an antique threshing bat there, which was almost as big as my suitcase, and had to laugh because I thought the farmers had a gym in their barn at that time.
So if you're looking for a place that doesn't advertise with excessive advertising promises, but is just honest, then these are Dwight Attractions That's right. I've found my favorite places here because I don't let myself be dazzled by shiny brochures, but rather I'd rather experience the real, light-scattered life in this little spot Illinois.
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